DesignMarch 2026: Reykjavik’s Annual Reminder That Iceland Is Cooler Than the Rest of Us

Dates: 6th –10th May 2026 in Reykjavik, Iceland — the land of lava, legends, and ridiculously cool design.

Let’s be honest: if there’s one place on Earth that can pull off a national design festival that feels part museum, part mind trip, and part beautifully organized chaos — it’s Iceland.

DesignMarch 2026 is back, and it’s ready to outdo itself again. Bigger ideas. Bolder experiments. And yes, probably weirder (in the best possible way).

This isn’t your average design expo. This is Reykjavik going full Pinterest-board-meets-futurism for five straight days — and we’re here for it.

So, What Is DesignMarch?

Imagine a full-blown city takeover — not by zombies or influencers — but by creativity. DesignMarch is Iceland’s biggest annual design and innovation festival, where architecture flirts with AI, fashion gets functional, and sustainability isn’t a panel discussion — it’s a way of life.

The festival gathers the boldest thinkers, makers, and disruptors from all corners of the creative universe. If you’re a travel pro, this is a goldmine for new ideas, partnerships, and ways to make your next client trip or group event in Iceland unforgettable (and way cooler than anyone else's).

Need help planning that? We know people. Just ask.

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Reykjavik Becomes a Living, Breathing Mood Board

During DesignMarch, Reykjavik transforms. Forget sterile conference centers — exhibitions pop up in cafés, boutiques, parks, bookshops, and maybe even inside a glacier-themed gelato shop. No space is off-limits.

Expect to stumble upon:

• Furniture made from ocean plastic
• Textiles powered by AI
• Installations that react to your body temp (because… of course)

This isn’t just design for the sake of aesthetics — it’s purposeful, experimental, eco-conscious creativity that makes you question every throw pillow you've ever bought.

Pro tip: Don’t be surprised if your hotel lobby is now an immersive art installation... with chairs made from recycled lava rock. Because, Iceland.

Workshops So Good, You’ll Forget You’re Technically Working

DesignMarch isn’t just a place to look — it’s a place to do.

You’ll find:

• Interactive workshops with Icelandic craftspeople
• Seminars that dive deep into design theory without putting you to sleep
• Hands-on sessions on how to bring Iceland’s cozy-cool design vibe into your next boutique hotel or brand revamp

If you’re in travel or hospitality, you’ll walk away with:

• Tour ideas that go beyond waterfalls and into design routes
• New looks for welcome kits, brand touchpoints, or room decor
• Ways to make your sustainability promises less “lip service” and more “lava-cool innovation”

Sustainability Isn’t a Trend Here — It’s the Default Setting

In Iceland, sustainability isn’t something they do. It’s something they are. And DesignMarch 2026 is a masterclass in eco-driven design.

Expect to see:

• Ocean-waste-turned-furniture
• Solar-powered fashion showcases
• Collections dyed with actual volcanic ash

Installations powered by geothermal energy (naturally)

If your clients are craving eco-conscious travel with soul — this is where your ideas are born.

Let’s Talk Tech (Spoiler: The Future Has Arrived)

AR, VR, AI, and every other acronym you’ve been pretending to understand at networking events? They’re very real here.

DesignMarch 2026 is embracing:

•  Virtual hotel tours that feel more real than real
• AI-powered travel planning tools that make spreadsheets obsolete
• Mind-bending, mixed-reality installations that make your brain question what’s real and what’s projection

For travel professionals, it’s like peeking into the future of guest experience — and it’s fascinating, interactive, and probably going to make you rethink that last hotel rebranding.

Networking, Minus the Nametags

Here’s the thing: DesignMarch doesn’t feel like a networking event — it feels like a conversation you accidentally started over hot chocolate with a Finnish architect.

It’s casual, collaborative, and packed with curious, creative, surprisingly friendly people who want to talk shop — or at least recommend where to find the best Icelandic rye bread.

You’ll leave with:

• New contacts
• Better ideas
• And probably a new favorite Icelandic beer

Final Thoughts: Come for the Design. Stay for the Inspiration (and Maybe a Wool Sweater)

DesignMarch 2026 isn’t just a festival — it’s an idea factory wrapped in a snow-dusted cityscape, with side quests involving fermented shark, high-concept art, and the occasional puffin motif.

For anyone in the travel industry — planners, DMCs, designers, hospitality brands — it’s a chance to level up. To see what’s next. And to bring back ideas that don’t just look good… they mean something.

So pack your notebook, your curiosity, and yes — probably a scarf.
Reykjavik is calling. And it’s got big design energy.

For more information about the event visit this website.

If you would like to see more events like these visit our events page!