Copenhagen in June is a city transformed, bathed in nearly 18 hours of daylight and alive with cultural festivities. Among these, the 3 Days of Design festival stands out as a beacon of Scandinavian creativitydrawing design enthusiasts from around the globe. Now in its 13th year, the festival took place from June 10 to 12, 2026, filling the city’s historic landmarks with the best in contemporary design.
The festival’s theme, ‘Make This Moment Matter,’ emphasized a shift towards meaningful designfocusing on the present rather than the past or future. This year’s edition featured over 400 exhibitors, showcasing a diverse range of design innovations and trends.
Innovative Exhibits and Trends
One of the standout exhibits was Georg Jensen’s topiary-lined garden in Højbro Plads, where the Danish house debuted a series of lawn-game sets hand-carved from walnut. The collection included kongespil batons adorned with silver renderings of Danish wildlife, as well as a range of knick-knacks like spinning tops and sterling yo-yos. This year’s fair saw a recurring theme of playfulness in designwith exhibits like Helle Mardahl’s Game On exhibition at the glass artist’s Frederiksstaden flagship.
The future of flatware was explored in the Knife, Fork, Spoon 3.0 installation, where 12 international designers reimagined cutlery staples for a digital age. The central thesis was that cutlery 3.0 will be 3-D printed, with all 12 sets of flatware shown at 3 Days impossible to produce using conventional methods. This exhibit highlighted the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.
Craftsmanship and Heritage
Tekla paid tribute to the patchwork quilts and cabin beds of rural Scandinavian homes in the 19th century with their exhibit at Charlottenborg Palace. Inspired by Åsa Wettre’s book Old Swedish Quilts, Tekla’s bedspreads followed the log-cabin pattern, with pine woodwork echoing the blocks’ geometric arrangement. The brand also debuted its latest addition to the broderie-anglais range, Colette, during the fair.
Akua Objectsestablished in 2026, showcased its glassware crafted by master artisans across Murano and Bohemia. The brand’s tableware line, co-designed with Frederik Bille Brahe, was displayed on an 18th-century pietra dura table from Giudecca’s Le Zitelle. Each hand-blown piece was designed to give the illusion that its contents were floating, showcasing the brand’s commitment to artisan craftsmanship.
Emerging Talents and Collaborations
The festival also provided a platform for emerging talents and unique collaborations. Aarticlesa trove of contemporary design and found objects, showcased designs by an eclectic selection of makers working across various materials. The exhibition, titled Compositions, marked the European debut of California-based sculptor Vince Skelly, whose angular works are carved from single blocks of West Coast timber.
Louise Roe’s concept store, gallery, and café gave over its entire space to the Stay a Little Longer exhibition. Guests were invited to pause and linger among Roe’s latest creations, including The Franki, highlighting the art of hosting and the importance of creating inviting spaces.
The festival also featured a joint show from two 18th-century craft houses, Wedgwood and Waterford. Wedgwood offered a rare glimpse into its historic Stoke-on-Trent factory through a photographic series, while Waterford invited guests to explore the many stages of crystal making, from paper plans to hand-carved wooden moulds.
Another highlight was the ‘Fragments of Light’ installation by Bommaa Czech design lighting brand. The immersive experience, set within the newly restored Court Theatre, celebrated the craftsmanship, innovation, and circular design behind the Czech glassmaker’s ‘Fragments’ lighting collection.
The 3 Days of Design festival in Copenhagen continues to be a pivotal event in the global design calendar, showcasing the best in Scandinavian creativity and innovation. From playful exhibits to thoughtful explorations of craftsmanship and heritage, the festival offers a unique glimpse into the future of design.
