Helsinki Design Week (Sept 5–14, 2025), the largest design festival in the Nordics, marks its 20th anniversary this year. Centred at Suomitalo (Finland House), the programme features exhibitions, workshops, launches and evening events, while nearly 100 design happenings will also take place across the city.
The festival’s main exhibition, Designing Happiness, curated by Anniina Koivu, asks whether happiness can be designed. Works by renowned Finnish and international designers, from Eero Aarnio to Erwan Bouroullec, reflect on the “happiness cocktail” of chemicals that shape wellbeing and joy. A symposium and the Helsinki Design Award presentation accompany the exhibition.
This year’s theme, Celebration, is interpreted in spatial installations at Suomitalo by Finnish design brands. The programme also includes the Design Market at Kaapelitehdas (Cable Factory), Children’s Design Week, open studios, fashion shows and a wide range of discussions and performances. From architecture to illustration to sustainability, the city comes alive with fresh ideas and festive spirit.
