The cornerstone events that define the creative industry calendar. These gatherings shape trends, forge connections, and drive the business of creativity forward. We will update this calendar continuously so save it as a bookmark in your browser to see what's new. Last update: Feb 26, 2025
The Creative Industry Calendar 2025
Major Industry Events
SXSW
March 2025 | Austin, Texas (Link)
Where tech meets creativity. SXSW's Interactive track has become essential for creative technologists and innovators. Focus on the morning keynotes and evening networking events – the real connections happen outside the official program.
Insider Tip: Skip the main venues during peak hours. The satellite events and unofficial meetups often yield more meaningful connections. Book accommodations in East Austin for easy access to both official venues and creative spillover events. One of our favorite spots to co-work and network is The Malin.
OFFF Barcelona
April 2025 | Barcelona, Spain (Link)
Digital design's most influential festival returns with its signature mix of inspiration and practical insights. Beyond the main stage, OFFF's workshop program offers intimate learning experiences with industry leaders.
Practical Note: Tickets typically release in three waves, with early bird sales starting in November 2024. Our choice to stay is The Hoxton in Barcelona (feel like Soho House but with better networking opportunities).

One of our favorite showcases during Salone del Mobile: Nilufar Depot
Milan Design Week
April 2025 | Milan, Italy (Link)
The highlight among the 2025 Design Week Calendar. Milan Design Week grew to a major event combining Salone del Mobile's industry focus with Fuorisalone's creative energy. Also many fashion houses and brands jump on the momentum during Design Week and inspire with installations throughout the city. For example, check out La Marzocco's Café Rimowa in last year's edition.
Navigate Like a Pro: Come already before the official start of Milan Design Week. For key industry networking, we recommend arriving on April 5 to see previews and join satellite events — and leaving on April 10 before the crowds arrive over the weekend. Start at Brera Design District for the established brands, then explore the experimental showcases in Isola.
St. Ambroeus: The 8AM coffee spot where curators make their real decisions before the crowds arrive.
Bar Basso: The tucked-away bar where everyone disappears to when the official programming ends.
With NeueHaus, we will be hosting an OFF SALONE Aperitivo on April 9 (Link).
Cannes Lions
June 2025 | Cannes, France (Link)
The definitive event for creative marketing and advertising. Beyond the awards, Cannes Lions has evolved into a global summit for creative business leaders.
Strategic Approach: The real value lies in the fringe events. Focus on the specialist tracks like Innovation Lions and schedule meetings well in advance – the Cannes calendar fills up months ahead. Don't forget to pack your sports gear — easy gatherings like the Cannes Run Club are perfect to connect with fellow industry professionals. The CRC is meeting Monday (17th of June) and Tuesday (18th of June), 7.30 AM at Stagwell's Sports Beach.
Regional Highlights
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EUROPE
Art Basel
June 2025 | Basel, Switzerland (Link)
The pinnacle of the art market calendar. 2025's edition introduces expanded programming for digital art and new media. Essential for understanding collecting trends and market movements.
Access Strategy: If you're not a premium card holder, target the second preview day when the crowd thins but major works are still available. The ticket prices are steep and starting at 750CHF but Art Basel offers also evening access for only 40CHF (Link). The Conversations program offers free access to industry insights.

'Liquid Light' during London Design Festival. Photography: Mel Yates
London Design Festival
September 2025 | London, UK (Link)
A citywide celebration of design thinking. The 2025 program emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration and urban innovation. The Global Design Forum is the festival's talks programme, incorporating daily themes for the speakers to explore.
District Focus: Start with Design Junction for commercial releases, then explore the experimental works at Shoreditch Design Triangle.
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AMERICAS
NYCxDesign
May 2025 | New York City (Link)
American design at its most dynamic. The festival has evolved into a crucial platform for emerging designers and new business models.
Industry Access: The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) remains the commercial heart, but don't miss the independent showcases in Brooklyn for discovering new talent.
CDMX Art Week
February 2025 | Mexico City (Link)
Mexico City's dynamic art scene converges in this week-long celebration, anchored by the Zona Maco art fair. The city becomes a canvas for contemporary art, design, and cultural programming.
Navigate Like a Pro: While Zona Maco is the commercial center, the real energy is in the gallery districts of Roma-Condesa and San Miguel Chapultepec. The satellite fairs Material Art Fair and Salón ACME offer crucial perspectives on emerging art. CDMX Art Week can be a challenge to navigate for first timers. That's why we connect our traveling members in a WhatsApp group with local members so you are in the know about the best exhibitions and after-parties. Check out our guide here.
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ASIA & PACIFIC
Design Shanghai
March 2025 | Shanghai, China (Link)
Asia's leading international design event. The 2025 edition spotlights the convergence of traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation.
Emerging & Experimental
These events offer fresh perspectives and intimate networking opportunities, often away from the industry's usual circuits.
Forward Festival
August 2025 | Vienna, Berlin (Link)
A series of interconnected creative conferences spanning Vienna and Berlin. Each location adds its unique cultural perspective to a program that blends design, creativity, and technology. The multi-city format creates unique opportunities for regional network building.
Insider Tip: The Vienna edition typically sets the tone for the series and offers the most comprehensive program. The intimate "Forward Dinner" events are worth the extra ticket for focused networking.

Forward Festival happens twice a year in Vienna and Berlin.
Us By Night
September 2025 | Antwerp, Belgium (Link)
A nocturnal twist on the creative festival format. This after-dark gathering has evolved into one of Europe's most distinctive design events, combining talks with immersive experiences and creative market spaces. The night-time setting creates a uniquely intimate atmosphere for industry networking.
Experience Note: The market area becomes particularly active after 10 PM. Plan your schedule around the late-night sessions where speakers often engage in more candid discussions.
Sonar+D
June 2025 | Barcelona, Spain (Link)
Where music innovation meets creative technology. The professional program has become increasingly relevant for interactive designers and creative technologists.

The Nomad Circle St. Moritz Edition featured 'Artists in Flux' in a collaboration with Gucci.
Nomad Circle
February 2025 | St. Moritz to Capri (Link)
A traveling showcase for collectible design and art. The intimate format and stunning locations create unique conditions for meaningful connections.

Planning Your Creative Year
Find below the comprehensive overview of industry events in 2025 that we will continuously update.
Q1
- Maison & Object (January)
- Various Fashion Weeks (January/February)
- Nomad Circle St. Moritz (February)
- CDMX Art Week (February)
- Design Shanghai (March)
- SXSW (March)
- Collectible Brussels (March)
Q2
- Milan Design Week (April)
- OFFF Barcelona (April)
- NYCxDesign (May)
- Venice Architecture Biennale (May-Sept)
- 3Days of Design Denmark (June)
- SXSW London Edition (June)
- OFFF Tel Aviv Edition (June)
Q3
- Forward Festival Berlin (August)
- Unseen Photography Fair Amsterdam (September)
- London Design Festival (September)
- Us By Night Antwerp (September)
In September, we will be hosting again our NeueHaus Residency. See here last year's edition. Ticket release for 2025 will open soon. Subscribe to our event calendar here to be among the first to know.
Q4
- Adobe Max L.A. (October)
- Art Basel Paris Edition (October)
- Frieze London (October)
- Dutch Design Week (October)
- Designart Tokyo (October/November)
- Dubai Design Week (November)
- Shanghai Biennale (November-March)
- Design Miami / Art Basel Miami (December)

Connect With Other Creative Industry Professionals
Apply to become a member of NeueHaus and get access to:
- Selected event previews
- Industry-only networking opportunities
- Curated introductions to fellow creative professionals