The best design conferences and festivals for creatives

These events are fantastic opportunities for people working in creative industries to get inspired, network and collaborate. Make sure to mark your calendar and register early.

Conferences and festivals for creativity and design are perfect for connecting with like-minded people, exploring fresh ideas, and sharpening your skills. They’re vibrant spaces to network, spark innovation, and fuel your creative journey.

OFFF Barcelona

Where:
Barcelona, Spain
When:
May 8–10

OFFF Barcelona is a haven for creatives and innovators. It brings together graphic designers, motion artists, and digital thinkers from around the globe. The conference is known for its cutting-edge presentations, hands-on workshops, and a vibrant community that celebrates design in all its forms.

Adobe MAX

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
Oct 28–30

Adobe MAX is the ultimate creativity conference for graphic designers, illustrators, and digital creators. Expect keynote speeches from industry titans, hands-on workshops, and sneak peeks into Adobe’s upcoming tools and features. This event is also a fantastic opportunity to network with peers and explore the latest design trends.

AIGA Design Conference

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
October 9–11

Organized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, this conference focuses on the future of design and its impact on society. With thought-provoking sessions, panel discussions, and workshops, the AIGA Design Conference is ideal for professionals looking to expand their horizons and tackle design challenges in innovative ways.

Typographics

Where:
New York, NY, USA
When:
June 27 - 28

Typography enthusiasts, this one’s for you! Typographics dives deep into the world of type design, typography, and visual communication. With a mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, and type-centric networking opportunities, this conference is perfect for designers looking to refine their typographic skills.

NOW25 Conference

Where:
Paris, France
When:
May 31

NOW25 is a conference hosted by TypeParis focusing on graphic design, web design, motion design, publishing, visual identity, communication, and type design. It's an opportunity to listen to inspiring speakers and engage with a diverse range of topics relevant to contemporary design practices.

SXSW Conference

Where:
Austin, TX, USA
When:
March 7–15

Every year South by Southwest (SXSW) brings together music, film, technology, and culture in a globally recognized festival. Featuring keynote speakers, interactive panels, live music showcases, film screenings, and networking events, SXSW is a must-attend event for creatives and industry leaders alike.

With an ever-evolving lineup of artists, filmmakers, and innovators, SXSW continues to shape conversations around the future of entertainment and technology.

Forward Festival Berlin

Where:
Berlin, Germany
When:
August 28-29

This two-day event at HKW Berlin will feature over 40 international speakers across three stages, offering talks, hands-on workshops, immersive installations, and exclusive side events. Forward Festival Berlin is an unparalleled opportunity for creatives to connect, gain inspiration, and explore the forefront of design and communication.

Sonar+D

Where:
Barcelona, Spain
When:
June 12-14

​Sónar+D is an annual congress that explores the intersections of creativity, technology, and business, running concurrently with the Sónar Festival in Barcelona. Established in 2013, it features a diverse program of talks, panel discussions, performances, and interactive exhibitions, bringing together artists, technologists, and industry professionals to discuss and showcase advancements in the creative industries. The 2025 edition will focus on themes such as AI and creativity, the future of creative industries, and emerging technological frontiers.

POV Budapest

Where:
Budapest, Hungary
When:
Sep 11-12

POV Budapest focuses on the latest trends in visual storytelling, animation, and graphic design. It’s an inspiring platform for creatives seeking to explore the intersection of technology and design.

Birmingham Design Festival

Where:
Birmingham, UK
When:
June 12-13

This Birmingham Design Festival celebrates all things design, offering talks, workshops, and exhibitions. From typography to branding, it covers a broad spectrum of design disciplines and is perfect for creatives of all levels.

The Design Conference

Where:
Brisbane, Australia
When:
June 18-20

The Design Conference is a melting pot of ideas, creativity, and inspiration. It features talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend event for those seeking a fresh perspective on design.

Us By Night

Where:
Antwerp, Belgium
When:
September 25–27

Us By Night is a unique nocturnal experience that blends a design conference with a vibrant night market. Attendees can expect inspiring talks from world-class creatives in graphic design, illustration, motion graphics, and beyond.

With a festival-like atmosphere, it’s not just about learning but also about connecting and immersing yourself in the creative culture. Workshops, installations, and live art performances make this a standout event for any graphic designer looking for both inspiration and entertainment.

Flux Festival

Where:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
When:
TBD

The Flux Festival in Los Angeles celebrates the intersection of film, art, and emerging technology. This multi-day event features curated screenings, immersive exhibits, engaging workshops, and live performances, culminating in a showcase at the iconic Audrey Irmas Pavilion. It's a platform for creatives to explore innovative storytelling and artistic expression.

Paradiso

Where:
Mérida, Mexico
When:
March 12-16

Paradiso is a unique five-day creative retreat designed for artists, designers, and innovators to reset, rethink, and create without limits. Featuring raw and inspiring talks, immersive experiences, exhibitions, and live performances, it fosters a community that thrives on sharing, learning, and pushing creative boundaries.

All Flows

Where:
Milton Keynes, UK
When:
May 14-16

All Flows is an annual creative, design, and digital festival held in Milton Keynes, UK. Established in 2023, it aims to amplify Milton Keynes' reputation as a 'Design City' and support the growth of the local creative industries sector. The festival features influential speakers from across the creative industries, covering subjects such as prototyping radical futures, technology, brand creation, generative media platforms, and the magic of everyday life.

F5 Empath

Where:
New York, USA
When:
May 15–17

F5 Empath is a creative festival presented by Motionographer, scheduled for May 15–17, 2025, at the iconic Webster Hall in New York City. The event celebrates empathy, art, and innovation, bringing together visionaries, creators, and innovators to push boundaries and set new standards of creativity.

​CultureCon

Where:
New York, US
When:
Oct 4–5

​CultureCon, hosted by The Creative Collective NYC, is a premier conference designed to unite Black creatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The event offers two days of workshops, networking, and discussions with influential cultural figures. This year's theme, "Take Flight," celebrates the visionaries who break barriers, redefine industries, and push culture forward.

ADCE Creative Week

Where:
Barcelona, Spain
When:
Nov 19 - 21

ADCE Creative Week is the new format of the annual festival of Art Directors Club of Europe. Taking place in Barcelona from 19–21 November, it brings together creatives from across Europe for talks, awards, portfolio reviews, and fresh inspiration.

Oddfest

Where:
Helsinki, Finnland
When:
June 6-7

Oddfest is an innovative, new kind of festival that merges the dynamics of a conference with the vibrancy of a festival, aiming to dissolve the boundaries between business, art, and society. This two-day event transforms Helsinki into a dynamic laboratory of creativity, bringing together innovators, artists, and thought leaders to redefine the future of creative expression.

Wanna read more?

Here are some matching articles:

I love Creative Lunch Club because it harnesses the most human way of connecting, sharing a meal. It's an effortless way for creatives to build diverse connections and friendships across various fields and meet people they wouldn't otherwise.

Júlia Mota Albuquerque
Illustrator & Muralist, Berlin

When I joined Creative Lunch Club, I didn’t expect to connect with people who live in the same neighbourhood as me. It’s pretty cool to build a community of creatives in your vicinity, especially because it’s easier to nurture those connections when you live in a big city. I love it.

Chase Hirt
Agency Owner & Creative Director, LA

Thanks to Creative Lunch Club I found friends and inspiring conversations and connections with people that I probably would not have met otherwise. The process is easy and straight forward and everyone is so friendly, interesting and talented - what an amazing experience.

Danii Pollehn
Illustrator, Lisbon