This October, Prague welcomes DesignBlok, which will bring together more than 300 curated designers, studios and brands from the Czech Republic and beyond.
Photography by Petr Hricko
Photography by Petr HrickoThe programme spans major curatorial exhibitions, a conference, city-wide installations and a rich programme for emerging talent, presented across some of the city’s most significant cultural institutions, including the newly restored Industrial Palace at Výstaviště Praha.
Since the first edition in 1999, DesignBlok has grown into one of the most important design platforms in Central Europe.
In this week-long event, established names and emerging voices, independent studios and global brands will show side by side.
“The theme of DesignBlok 2026 is light as a symbol of knowledge, truth, hope and life. It will be present in the festival programme in both abstract and entirely concrete ways,” says Jana Zielinski, the festival’s director.
Photography by Petr Hricko
Photography by Petr HrickoThe theme runs through every layer of the programme: expect curatorial exhibitions exploring the history and future of designed light, architectural installations that make light material, and a conference dedicated to light as a cultural phenomenon and design force.
The festival’s main hub returns to the Trade Fair Palace of the National Gallery Prague, where furniture and lighting brands such as Artemide and Luceplan will display alongside homegrown Ton, Lasvit and Brokis.
Photography by Vojtech Veskrna
Photography by Vojtech VeskrnaFurther activations will take place at Prague Castle and the Museum of Decorative Arts. Beyond the main venues, DesignBlok extends throughout Prague, with more than 50 galleries, showrooms and independent design spaces taking part.
Photography by Vladimír Běhoun
Among the city-wide highlights, lighting and interior designer Lee Broom brings his installation Beacon, released in collaboration with Czech glass manufacturer Brokis, to the heart of Prague.
A busy talks programme – DesignBlok Talks – will take place on 6 and 7 October in the historic central hall of the newly reopened Industrial Palace.
Speakers include Lee Broom, Norwegian light and product designer Daniel Rybakken, designer Laurids Gallée, and colour and materials specialist Judith van Vliet (Intercolor), Maxim Velčovský from Lasvit, and others.
DesignBlok – Prague International Design Festival – takes place across Prague from 7 to 11 October 2026: https://www.designblok.cz/en/
