Lisbon by Design and Lisbon Design Week return to Lisbon in May

Lisbon by Design and Lisbon Design Week take place at the end of May, putting creativity, Portuguese design, workshops, studios, shops and galleries in the spotlight.

Lisbon by Design returns to Palacete Gomes Freire

From 26 to 31 May, Lisbon by Design returns to the Palacete Gomes Freire for its sixth edition. According to a press release, it has “established itself as one of Portugal’s leading platforms devoted to collectible design and contemporary craftsmanship made in Portugal”.

For the first time, the fair will fill the entire palacete, “turning the visit into an immersive experience, spread across distinct scenographic settings”, the statement adds.

The 2026 edition includes an additional day of programming, enabling it to welcome a growing number of visitors “and foster closer connections between creators, collectors and the public”.

Among this year’s new features is a group exhibition, a format bringing together more than ten designers, each presenting between one and three collectible pieces.

Envisaged as a setting for experimentation and discovery, the exhibition strengthens the fair’s role as a creative laboratory and launch platform for emerging talent.

The 2026 edition also pays tribute to Portuguese design, highlighting the historic Kukas brand and a new reissue presented by Atelier Daciano da Costa.

Lisbon Design Week across 80 venues

Running over similar dates, from 27 to 31 May, Lisbon Design Week returns for its fourth edition. Over five days, contemporary design and author-made craftsmanship will take over the city through a programme spanning more than 80 venues across 11 areas of Lisbon, including exhibitions, studios, shops, galleries, workshops and private spaces.

The event features new participants and previously unseen venues, while “continuing to champion contemporary design, craftsmanship and cultural exchange”, a press release states.

Craft, emerging talent and new perspectives

This year, Lisbon Design Week is expanding its presence in areas including Graça and Anjos, “reflecting the growing diversity and vitality of Lisbon’s creative scene”, according to the organisers.

Handmade work will once again occupy a central position, while experimental approaches, new materials and technological processes offer a more contemporary, forward-looking perspective on design.

One of this edition’s milestones is the formalisation of a strategic partnership with MUDE - Museum of Design, which incorporates the Young Design Generation open call, dedicated to supporting designers under 35.

The programme features the new Spotlight section, devoted to solo presentations focused on a single designer, alongside a strong representation of collective practices.

Also in focus are the intersections of fashion, textiles and interior design through a new generation of creators; reinterpretations of iconic Portuguese brands; installations in lived-in spaces and unexpected contexts; Brazilian design; and the continued dialogue with Spanish designers.

Founder Michèle Fajtmann wants “this event to be more than a festival where shops and studios open to the public. I want it to be a moment for dialogue, discovery, collaboration and experimentation”, a press release says.