Ithra Design Week 2026

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Ithra welcomes you to a new adventure and new experiences that fuel your creativity, inspiration and…

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Redesigning the Default

Ithra Design Week 2026

Ithra Design Week is the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) annual celebration of design, creativity, and innovation, and a leading regional hub for design practices from Ithra and beyond. The program celebrates creativity and innovation across industries, where design can make a tangible impact. Evolving from the legacy of Tanween, Ithra Design Week expands from a platform for designers into a dynamic design ecosystem. It brings together international and regional designers, studios, thinkers, and institutions through a curated program of exhibitions, talks, workshops, masterclasses, installations, design challenges, and public engagement programs. Rooted in Saudi Arabia and connected globally, Ithra Design Week aims to be a globally leading design ecosystem

that reflects the region’s transformation while contributing meaningfully to international design practice. It serves as a space that cultivates, develops and accelerates design content, through nurturing ideas, experimentation and collaborations that shape the growth, visibility and relevance of the design scene within a global context. Moving beyond design as mere product or aesthetics, Ithra Design Week positions design as a lens for inquiry, interpretation and future-making, fostering exchange across disciplines, cultures and ways of thinking.

Ithra Design Week is back from November 16 – 21, 2026!

Redesigning the Default

What do you design next, when the default is no longer enough?

This year's theme draws inspiration from the theory of "Creative Destruction," by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Schumpeter.

It celebrates design as an active force of transformation, a process that questions the given, challenges dominant systems and moves from disruption to direction with purpose. It calls on designers to choose rather than inherit, redirect rather than repeat and transform rather than decorate, shaping possibilities into realities and ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Defaults are not neutral; they shape behavior, systems and outcomes. This theme asserts design as an act of intention and authorship, a force that replaces passive acceptance with decision, transforming ideas into impact and possibilities into reality.
“The best designs are those that challenge the norm and question preconceived notions.”
- Rem Koolhaas

What to expect from Ithra Design Week 2026

Workshops

The Ithra Design Week workshops are designed to stimulate the creative inspiration in both design professionals and…

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Day With an Expert

Beyond traditional lectures and workshops, this program offers an exclusive two-day experience where you shadow a…

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Exhibitions

Ithra Design Week's (IDW) exhibitions go well beyond simple display; visitors will find a diverse lineup in…

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Challenges

Unleash your inner innovator and challenge your creativity by taking on the Ithra Design Challenge!

Design Market

Where ideas take shape and creativity comes to life, Design Market at Ithra Design Week celebrates design in all its…

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The Design Majlis

Shape the future of design through meaningful dialogue with the IDW Majlis, a dynamic program of panel…

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Walk in Sessions

Step into the design process through a series of hands-on interactive experiences that celebrate design in…

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Installations

Spaces across Ithra take on a new life through a curated collection of commissioned and hosted design installations,…

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Closing Ceremony

Join us as we conclude Ithra Design Week, celebrating its memorable moments and the impact it has created in its first…

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FAQ's

Do I need to register to attend Ithra Design Week?

General access to Ithra Design Week does not require registration. However, visitors are encouraged to register for free to receive an access bracelet, which provides entry to exclusive design districts and selected programs.

Why should I attend Ithra Design Week?

Ithra Design Week is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of design, creativity, and innovation. It brings together inspiring voices from Saudi Arabia and around the world, offering a unique experience through exhibitions, conversations, workshops, and interactive experiences.
Whether you are a designer, creative enthusiast, or simply curious about new ideas, the event provides a space to discover fresh perspectives, connect with the creative community, and explore how design influences the way we live, think, and shape the future.

When and where does Ithra Design Week take place?

Ithra Design Week will take place from November 16 to November 21, 2026, at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Is Ithra Design Week virtual, or does it require in-person attendance?

All programs require in-person attendance.

How can I register for Ithra Design Week ?

You can register through the designated webpage on the Ithra website or by visiting the help desk at Ithra.

What is the age group eligible to register for Ithra Design Week programs?

Ithra Design Week offers the opportunity for all age groups to explore the world of design through its diverse programs, except for the workshops, the Day with an Expert program, and Ithra Design Week Challenges, which are designed for those aged 16 and above.

Are there certificates for participating in Ithra Design Week ?

Certificates will be given to those who attended Ithra Design Week workshops, the Day with an Expert program, or those who participated in Design Challenges.

Do Ithra Members get a discount for Ithra Design Week’s paid programs?

Yes, members with an Art Membership package or Premium Membership package get an automatic 20% discount for both the workshops and the Day with an Expert programs.

Is it possible to change the date or refund the tickets for the Ithra Design Week workshops or Day with an Expert programs?

Unfortunately, tickets are not exchangeable or refundable.

Does Ithra Design Week accommodate people with disabilities?

Most Ithra Design Week programs are suitable for people with disabilities. The exceptions are Day with an Expert and Design Challenges.

What programs are offered during Ithra Design Week?

Ithra Design Week offers a variety of programs that celebrate design, including panel discussions at the Ithra Design Week Majlis, design exhibitions, workshops, the Day with an Expert program, Ithra Design Week Challenges, interactive experiences, a design market, and food experiences.