Perth Design Week reveals new 2026 format

PDW has quickly established itself as a leading platform for showcasing design excellence and thought-provoking discussions on issues shaping Western Australia and beyond. In 2026 the festival will take on a special format – PDW/10 – a curated program of 10 major events held from 19th to 26th March, 2026. These events are currently being developed in collaboration with existing festival partners. 

Taking inspiration from world-renowned design festivals in cities such as Milan, New York, London and Melbourne, PDW has worked to place Perth on the global design map as a hub for design creativity, innovation and critical thinking across disciplines, with a strong focus on sustainable design. The event only launched in 2022, and its growth is illustrated in the facts and figures of 2025:

• Over 50,000 estimated attendance to free exhibitions at the WA Museum and other venues in the CBD and beyond.
• 90 diverse events (talks, walks, workshops, exhibitions and installations).
• Held across the Perth CBD and beyond (Stirling, West Leederville, Subiaco, Claremont, Cottesloe, Myaree and Bayswater).
• Over 90 participating organisations (creating and supporting events).
• Over 180 speakers, featuring local, national and international design leaders.
• Over 5,000 registrations to ticketed events, with most sessions sold out.

Established as a not-for-profit company, Perth Design Week Limited, all of this was achieved with a modest budget of approximately $75,000, combined with countless volunteer hours.

Sandy Anghie, PDW Co-Founder and Chair, comments: “With record participation and attendance in 2025, PDW requires a phase of reflection and reset. As interest in PDW continues to grow, we’ve reached the limits of our organisational capacity. It’s now time to regroup and build the foundations for the next decade and beyond.”

Related: PDW on the Stories Indesign podcast

Over the next 18 months, PDW will develop a sustainable model for future growth. In 2027, the festival will return with PDW / 100, an expanded, open-access program of 100 events, drawn from across the broader WA design community, through an Expression of Interest process.  

“While scaling back in 2026 was a difficult decision, it’s a strategic move to ensure PDW’s longevity and long-term success,” adds Anghie.

“We remain committed to growing and evolving Perth Design Week, to continue advocating for better, more sustainable ways to design and shape our cities, suburbs, homes and more. We will keep championing the exceptional talent of local design leaders, supporting young creatives and contributing to a diversified WA economy. Stay tuned,” Ms Anghie said.

Perth Design Week
perthdesignweek.com

Read about Open House Melbourne 2025 here