September 5-14, 2025 | Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki Design Week (HDW) marks its milestone 20th anniversary with an expanded programme celebrating the theme “Celebration” across the Helsinki metropolitan area. The main venue, Suomitalo, will host the international exhibition “Designing Happiness,” curated by Anniina Koivu, exploring whether happiness can be designed through the lens of neuroscience and design.
Main Exhibition Features International Design Stars
“Designing Happiness” showcases works by renowned designers including Eero Aarnio, Erwan Bouroullec, Oiva Toikka, and Clara von Zweigbergk. The exhibition architecture is designed by XPO (Camille Blin, Anthony Guex, Christian Spiess) with graphics by Robbie Mahoney. A related symposium takes place September 11 in collaboration with the City of Helsinki.
Festival Highlights
• Design Market: Returns to Kaapelitehdas (September 6-7) featuring Nordic furniture, homeware and clothing vendors
• Open Studios: Access to Helsinki’s most intriguing design studios (September 5 & 12)
• Children’s Design Week: Family-friendly installations by Skidit collective at Kaapelitehdas
• Daily Programming: Design discussions, Weekly Talks series, and evening events at Suomitalo
• Culinary Experiences: Kuurna’s pop-up restaurant and Collusion wine bar
Anniversary Celebrations
Special installations by design brands including Artek and SAAS Instruments will transform Suomitalo’s fourth floor. The festival coincides with other major events including Habitare fair at Messukeskus Helsinki and Aalto University’s “Designs for a Cooler Planet” exhibition.
Helsinki Design Week runs September 5-14, 2025, with nearly one hundred design-related events across the Helsinki metropolitan area.