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Germany's biggest design event #designconnects

Empowered by bayern design, the mcbw is the biggest design event in Germany and an important meeting point for the national and international creative and design industries. During its seven days, we annually bring together designers, design enthusiasts, companies, and students from all design-related fields and industries to promote interdisciplinary exchange and make the relevance of design accessible and tangible for everyone. To highlight the societal, ecological, and economic importance of design, each year we dedicate the mcbw to a new annual theme.

Annual theme: Playground of Possibilites

After years of complexity and constraint, a new creative impulse is rising – a new desire to create. An impulse that isn’t about perfection, but about participation. About curiosity, not certainty. About shaping futures without knowing exactly what they will look like. The playground is a place we all know – open, imperfect, full of motion and emotion. It’s where we try, test, fail, build, laugh, and return to. That makes it the perfect metaphor for design today: less about control, more about momentum.  At mcbw 2026, we move through four creative territories – not as a linear process, but as a mindset for making, thinking, and imagining.

The four focus topics of mcbw 2026

Courage to Begin

Empowering the Creative Self

Empower. Trust yourself. Begin without knowing it all. Creativity starts with self-belief – in you, in others, in the process.

Space to Play

Exploring the Creative Field

Explore. Play with ideas. Take detours. Rewrite the rules. This is where surprise begins.

Time to Build

Turning Ideas into Action

Act. Make what you imagine visible. Prototypes, pop-ups, platforms – Momentum beats perfection.

Visions that Last

Creating Visions that Enrich

Enrich. Create with purpose and responsibility. What lasts is what touches, helps, transforms.

Annual Theme 2026

Welcome to the Playground of Possibilities

From 4 to 10 May 2026, we will transform Munich into a vibrant hub for design, innovation and creative exchange for the 15th time. Join us in discovering a new passion for design – playful, visionary and with an eye on the pressing issues of our time.

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We will take you on an inspiring journey through four interlocking phases: from the creative self to new fields and bold ideas to visions that enrich our future. The 2026 theme, ‘Playground of Possibilities,’ offers space for your perspectives, impulses and real change.

Get ready: the playground of possibilities awaits.

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Get ready

Become a partner of mcbw 2026

For seven days, various event formats and installations take place throughout Munich, bringing design to life in all its facets. Our partners gain visibility with their event, campaign, or larger collaboration, thereby greatly strengthening the Munich design community. As mcbw, we offer a creative platform as an inspiring backdrop every May. If you would like to become a partner, you can choose from a variety of options and services. An overview of all packages and pricing can be found below or in our partner information.

A day full of design and inspiration

Design Summit 2026

Mark your calendar! On May 4, 2026, the Design Summit will take place once again – one of the absolute highlights of the Munich Creative Business Week. Look forward to an event where designers, makers, and visionaries from around the world come together to explore the annual theme Playground of Possibilities from new perspectives. Secure your discounted Early Bird ticket now!

Recap: mcbw 2025

For the 14th time the munich creative business week took place in May 2025 under the annual motto “How to design a vibrant community” with about 65,000 visitors, making it Germany's largest design event. Inspiration, ideas, dialogue, networking, innovation, technology – #designconnects! Click through our mcbw archive and find out more about our programme and partners.

65k+

Visitors

200+

Events

210

Partners

390

Speakers

Creative Spots

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Newsletter

We keep you updated

See you again in May 2026! Get all the news and updates on munich creative business week.
 

Partners of mcbw 2025

Contributors Wall

Planning and implementing the largest design event in Germany is only possible with strong partners at our side. We try to offer almost all events during the 9 days of mcbw free of charge in order to make participation possible for all interested parties. A big thank you goes to our supporters, sponsors, media partners, program partners and network partners who make mcbw what it is today!

Sustainability

Germany's largest design event, small footprint

Planning and implementing the largest design event in Germany is only possible with strong partners at our side. We try to offer almost all events during the 9 days of mcbw free of charge in order to make participation possible for all interested parties. A big thank you goes to our supporters, sponsors, media partners, program partners and network partners who make mcbw what it is today!

#designconnects

Join the design movement

You already have an idea for an mcbw event and are interested in a project promotion? We have summarised our frequently asked questions.

Do you already have a cool concept for an installation or exhibition for the mcbw public space or mcbw pop-up? Write us an email and connect with us.

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