Forward Festival 2026

Creativity takes center stage in 2026 as Forward Festival lands in Frankfurt am Main for the very first time as part of World Design Capital 2026, joining its acclaimed editions in Berlin and Vienna. With a curated program of over 100 international top speakers from across the creative industries, Forward Festival continues to equip creatives with the inspiration and tools to turn ideas into action.

Turn ideas into action

Forward Festival is back in 2026, ready to ignite a season of bold ideas, hands-on creativity, and transformative experiences. Over the past decade, Forward has grown into a leading platform for the global creative community, staging 33 Festivals across four countries and inspiring over 50,000 visitors from 80 nations. The Festival is a meeting point for designer, marketer, artist, and entrepreneurs, offering a unique blend of talks, workshops, side events, and immersive experiences that turn inspiration into action. In the new season, Forward takes this vision further, celebrating the power of creativity to spark change, fuel innovation, and connect people across industries and borders. In 2026, Forward will premiere in Frankfurt am Main in June at Massif E, during World Design Capital 2026, celebrating Frankfurt’s vibrant creative scene. Berlin follows on at HKW, and Vienna closes the season at Gartenbaukino. Across all three cities, Forward empowers attendees to turn inspiration into action through talks, workshops, side events, and immersive experiences.

First program highlights for 2026

The first highlights of the 2026 Forward Festival line-up showcase a mix of visionary creatives across disciplines–with many more speakers to be announced in the coming months.

At Forward Frankfurt, digital artist and AI pioneer Johanna Jaskowska explores the beauty of working digitally, while typefoundry Grill Type reveals the secrets of bringing bold fonts to life. Studio Dumbar/DEPT shares insights on building brand identities that cut through the noise.

At Forward Berlin, film prop designer Annie Atkins offers a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process. Joining her are Sander Plug, the Amsterdam-based creative studio known for its boundary-pushing brand campaigns, and ABC Dinamo, the Berlin-based collective redefining contemporary typography.

At Forward Vienna, Spanish illustration duo Cachete Jack brings playful storytelling to the stage, interactive designer Luna Maurer explores the intersection of systems and art, and illustrator/animator Jim Stoten shares his surreal, colorful world.

A one-of-a-kind fusion sparks creativity and action

Forward Festival is where ideas meet action. Beyond talks, attendees can dive into art performances, explore innovative expo areas, and connect at side events and after-parties. It’s a space to spark breakthroughs, focus on meaningful work, and collaborate across boundaries. Every session, every connection, every experience is designed to equip creatives with tools, inspiration, and confidence to make their ideas real.

Forward Festival 2026

Where & When?

Forward Festival Frankfurt
Massif E
June 11th to 12th, 2026

Forward Festival Berlin
Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin
August 27th to 28th, 2026

Forward Festival Vienna
Gartenbaukino, Vienna
October 2nd to 3rd, 2025

© Images by Alex Heuvink, Fabian Brennecke and Nils Leon Brauer

Further Information here.