'Press Matters', photo by Eric Mutrie, AZURE Magazine

Every January, Toronto bursts into a city-wide celebration of design – and this year was no exception.

The 16th annual DesignTO Festival brought together hundreds of artists, designers, and creative thinkers across more than 100 exhibitions, events, and installations in 20 neighbourhoods throughout the city. From galleries and studios to storefront windows and unexpected corners, the Festival turned Toronto into a vibrant platform for ideas, experimentation, and conversation.

A Celebration Recognized Far and Wide

The 2026 Festival received national and international media attention, shining a spotlight on the work of our creative community and Toronto’s growing influence in design globally. Highlights included:

  • Azure Magazine – Photo Gallery: Our Favourite Moments From DesignTO 2026
  • Wallpaper* – Postcard from DesignTO, Toronto
  • The Globe and Mail – Less tech in our homes, more craftsmanship: Where design is headed in 2026
  • Dezeen – Eight highlights from the biggest week in Canadian design
  • Stir World – DesignTO 2026 and the practice of belonging in contemporary design

This coverage amplifies the voices of participating artists and designers, while celebrating Toronto as a hub for innovation, craftsmanship, and creative dialogue.

Showcasing Hundreds of Creative Voices

Over 10 days, thousands of visitors explored projects spanning furniture, product design, architecture, installation, and more. Artists and designers pushed the boundaries of craftsmanship, sustainability, and material experimentation, while many invited audiences to reflect on the evolving role of technology and hand-making in design.

At its heart, DesignTO is about creative (and collective) world building. The Festival provides a platform for audiences to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and imagine alternative futures together. In 2026, Toronto showed up in full force.

Thank You for Making the Festival Possible

We extend our deepest gratitude to the artists, designers, funders, partners, volunteers, media, and audiences who made the 2026 Festival unforgettable. Sixteen years in, the momentum is unmistakable – and every January, Toronto becomes a reminder of what’s possible when design leads.

If you were a festival-goer this year, thank you for being part of the celebration. If you’re new to DesignTO, we can’t wait to welcome you next year. For the rest of 2026, join us for our year-round programming of talks, tours, fundraisers, and members events.