Geelong Design Week 2026 Returns with Record Program as UNESCO City of Design

Scheduled from October 1 to 11, 2026, Geelong Design Week will feature more than 80 activities, including exhibitions, workshops, talks, tours, and installations, along with the first-ever Victorian Regional Design Fair. This biennial event honors Geelong as Australia’s sole UNESCO City of Design, a title it received in 2017. Ali Wastie, CEO of the City of Greater Geelong, notes that this recognition highlights the city’s deep-rooted design heritage in textiles, wool, manufacturing, and engineering. The UNESCO designation has impacted urban initiatives like the Wurriki Nyal civic precinct, which boasts a 6-Star Green Star rating, and the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre. Kip & Co co-founder Kate Heppell will showcase a vibrant installation of colored glassware, reflecting the Bellarine Peninsula's artistic community. The Victorian Regional Design Fair, taking place at Nyaal Banyul from October 1 to 4, will feature over 50 regional designers and businesses. The previous Geelong Design Week in 2024 attracted 40,925 visitors across 86 events, generating approximately $1.4 million for the local economy.