CDW at 15: Bigger, Sharper, More Ambitious
Clerkenwell Design Week returns for its 15th anniversary edition on 19-21 May 2026, and the organisers have used the milestone to push the festival in new directions. The core formula remains unchanged. Three days of showroom events, exhibitions, and installations across London EC1. But 2026 adds a "Design Interventions" series of public installations, an expanded CDW Awards in partnership with Design Milk, and a new Luxury Edit at Haberdashers' Hall. Entry remains completely free with online registration.
What's New for 2026
The Design Interventions series commissions large-scale installations in Clerkenwell's public spaces. Think Turnmill Street, St John's Square, and Brewhouse Yard transformed by leading studios. The CDW Awards, now a permanent fixture, expand their categories to include "people shaping the future of design" alongside product and project awards. The ceremony takes place on Tuesday 19 May evening and is free for all registered visitors. A digital app replaces the printed guide for the first time. Download it before you arrive.
How to Plan Your Three Days
CDW's 600+ events are spread across Clerkenwell's showrooms, studios, and pop-up venues. The Business Design Centre on Upper Street anchors the western end; the Farmiloe Building and Brewery venues anchor the east. Plan your route by area rather than trying to zigzag across the whole district. Tuesday tends to be the most industry-focused day; Thursday is more relaxed and social. The evening events (parties, late openings, the awards) are often the best networking opportunities.
Getting There
What Not to Miss
The showroom events are CDW's soul. Intimate product launches, designer talks, and studio tours that you simply can't experience at a trade fair. The curated exhibitions at the BDC and Farmiloe Building are the editorial backbone. And the evening programme. From the CDW Awards to the famous closing night parties. Is where relationships are built. Register now at clerkenwelldesignweek.com; it's free, and the app-based programme means you can build your personal schedule in advance.
