OPEN CALL ⚡️ OPEN NOW ⚡️
Designing the future
in Detroit.
Every September, the festival brings design to life across the city. The 2026 calendar showcases how Detroit designers innovate to solve problems, build resilience, and move the needle on what’s possible.
This year, we’re shifting focus from theory to practice, with the festival theme centering on the ways that Detroit designers are shaping the future of our city and beyond. The 2026 festival calendar highlights the ways in which our creative community innovates to solve problems, build resilience, and move the needle on what’s possible.
With 100+ events spanning every corner of the city, the festival calendar features exhibitions, product launches, talks, tours & more.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR
Climate Resilience & Sustainability
Studios designing for the future of water, energy, and a warmer city.
Mobility, Transportation & Access
Streets, transit, and how Detroiters move.
Color & Materials
Local fabrication, repair and circular practice.
Civic & Community-led Design
Design with neighborhoods, not for them
With 100+ events spanning every corner of the city, the festival calendar features exhibitions, product launches, talks, tours & more.
This year, we’re shifting focus from theory to practice, with the festival theme centering on the ways that Detroit designers are shaping the future of our city and beyond.
The 2026 festival calendar highlights the ways in which our creative community innovates to solve problems, build resilience, and move the needle on what’s possible.
Design Moves
the Future.
DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR
Climate Solutions
& Sustainabilty
Studios designing for the future of water, sustainability & warmer cities.
Mobility, Transportation
& Access
Streets, transit & how Detroiters move.
Color, Materials
& Product
Local fabrication, repair & circular economies.
Civic & Community-led Design
Designing with neighborhoods, not for them.
Shifting focus from theory to practice
Through exhibitions, talks, tours, product launches, workshops & events centering the ways that Detroit designers are shaping the future of our city and beyond.
DETROIT MOVES THE FUTURE
CITY OF DESIGN CONVERSATIONS
2026 EVENT CALENDAR
EVENTS
2026 FESTIVAL
CALENDAR
EXHIBITIONS & GALLERIES
COMMUNITY-LED DESIGN
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SIGNATURE EVENTS
Festival Opening CelebrationThu, Sep 03Little Village Detroit
City of Design Talks: At the StationFri, Sep 11The Study @ Michigan Central
Eastern Market After DarkThu, Sep 17Eastern Market Shed 2
Design Moves the Future: Festival Closing SymposiumSat, Sep 26Detroit Public Library
A Tale of Two Design CitiesSat, Sep 26Meyer + Anna Prentis Building Auditorium
SPONSOR & BRAND PARTNERS
Put your brand alongside Detroit's creative community.
Detroit Month of Design is the largest, most diverse design festival in the country, produced by Design Core Detroit in the US's only UNESCO City of Design. Partnership packages range from neighborhood-level activations to citywide presenting sponsorships.
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WHAT PARTNERSHIP LOOKS LIKE
01 Co-branded venue & wayfinding presence
02 Programming credit across design districts
03 Editorial features online & in print
04 On-the-ground brand activations
IN THE PRESS
MEDIA PARTNERS
MONTH OF DESIGN SPONSORS
