Overarching program points in Wiesbaden & the region
In addition to the individual projects, Wiesbaden is also the venue for central program items of the World Design Capital 2026. These formats bundle international impulses, create places of exchange, make design tangible and connect local players with global networks.
Grand Opening
Official launch of WDC 2026 (January 16, 2026)
The World Design Capital will be officially launched with the festive Grand Opening in Darmstadt in January 2026. The event brings together stakeholders from politics, culture, business and civil society and marks the start of the annual program with performances, impulses and networking opportunities.
Open - Design Week Frankfurt RheinMain
June 4 to 13, 2026
The Open - Design Week invites a broad public to open up places and formats of design and make them visible. Under the motto "Open for new things", interested parties and participants can make their own contributions - from exhibitions and discussions to project spaces in urban locations. Open offers a variety of event formats where ideas can be shared, spaces can be designed and innovative concepts can be experienced. The Design Week takes place in Wiesbaden, among other places.
WDC Pavilion - design in the middle of the city
Summer 2026
The WDC Pavilion is a mobile, sustainably built event venue that will travel through the region from April to September 2026, stopping off at five to seven central locations, including Wiesbaden. It is a meeting point, exhibition space and venue for workshops, dialog formats and participatory activities on site. Location to be announced.
World Design Policy Days - Future needs Design
November 10 to 13, 2026
The World Design Policy Days are an international discourse format that sees design as a strategic tool for solving social and political challenges. The three-day World Design Policy Conference 2026 brings together decision-makers, science, administration and design stakeholders. It will take place in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and Offenbach - and is divided into thematic focuses on politics, administration and attitude. The highlight is the final meeting in Frankfurt's Paulskirche, where visions and findings are brought together and the region's Design Action Plan is discussed.
Other key program items in the region
- World Design Experience (June 5 to 14, 2026):
A multi-day festival format with exhibitions, open studios, workshops and interactive experiences that turns Frankfurt RheinMain into an international stage for design. - Month of Design (August 7 to September 6, 2026):
A whole month of creative activities, installations, tours and exhibitions, also featuring World Design Street Festivals in Wiesbaden, Offenbach and Darmstadt. kreativwirtschaft-hessen.de - WDC Campus (June/July 2026):
Platform for students, teachers and young talents in design to present their projects, research and ideas and engage in an exchange with the region.
Embedding for Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden is both a host for project formats and an active part of regional highlights. The city works closely with the WDC project office in Frankfurt, local partners and the Department of Culture to link these program items with content, visibility and opportunities for participation.
Cultural Office
Address
65185 Wiesbaden
Postal address
65029 Wiesbaden
Further information
Visitor entrance: Friedrichstraße 16
Arrival
Notes on public transport
Public transport: Bus stop Dern'sches Gelände, bus lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 262, 45, 46, 47, 48, E, N2, N4, N5, N9, N10, N11, N12, X26.
Telephone
- +49 611 313640
- +49 611 313961
Website
Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.