San Diego Design Week 2026
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – Sunday, September 20, 2026
San Diego · San Diego, CA, USA
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance

San Diego Design Week (SDDW), presented by the Design Forward Alliance (DFA), returns for its seventh year September 15–20, 2026, with its biggest and most public- facing program to date. Building on momentum from San Diego–Tijuana’s 2024 World Design Capital designation, this year’s week, themed “Design for Everyone,” expands to represent every major design discipline in the region — from fashion and costume to architecture, interior, landscape, multimedia, and digital design. Each day of the week hands the spotlight to a different discipline at a different landmark venue, from MCASD La Jolla to the brand-new downtown Arts and Design District, with designers sharing their craft directly with the public through experiential, hands-on, family-friendly programming. WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR ● Biggest year yet: SDDW moves well beyond its digital and graphic design roots into a full, multi-disciplinary week. ● Every design discipline represented: Fashion, costume, architecture, interior, landscape, multimedia, and digital design each get a dedicated day. ● Built for all San Diegans: Programming turns Design Week inside out — more experiential, hands-on, and family-friendly than ever before. ● A new downtown home for designers: SDDW launches the new downtown Arts and Design District in partnership with the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
Agenda
Tue, Sep 15, 12:00 PM
Designing for Health and Wellbeing Day at The Art and Design District
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Tue, Sep 15, 2:00 PM
The Vision and Creation of Costume Design for Theater– A Look Backstage with the La Jolla Playhouse Costume Department
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Tue, Sep 15, 5:00 PM
San Diego Design Week Opening Reception and Design Forward Lightning Talks
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Wed, Sep 16, 2:30 PM
From Pattern to Stitch: Inside Gather Sewing Collective
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Thu, Sep 17, 11:00 AM
Designing What We Wear Day at MCASD La Jolla
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Thu, Sep 17, 5:00 PM
Beyond the Gates – How Hospitality Design Is Transforming the Public Golf Experience
Hosted by JN Tropea Design
Fri, Sep 18, 10:00 AM
Designing the Digital World of the Future | San Diego Design Week 2026
Hosted by WE ARE IN AI™
Fri, Sep 18, 3:00 PM
AIA CEU COURSE – Envelope Intelligence: The Evolving Role of High-Performance Aluminum Fenestration in Residential Architecture
Hosted by Western Architectural Openings
Sat, Sep 19, 10:00 AM
Designing Our Spaces Day at NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Sat, Sep 19, 10:30 AM
Civic Center Redevelopment Workshop
Hosted by Bohan Lang
Sat, Sep 19, 12:00 PM
Guided Tour of Murals of La Jolla
Hosted by Murals of La Jolla
Sat, Sep 19, 5:30 PM
The Art of Design – Evening Reception at The Guild Hotel
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Sun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM
Bossity Content & Podcast Popup
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance
Sun, Sep 20, 1:00 PM
MULTIMEDIA DAY: Designing Multimedia Experiences
Hosted by Design Forward Alliance