Habitare 2026

Habitare, the leading furniture, design and interior event in the Nordic region, will take place at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 2–6 September 2026. This year, Habitare Pro, the programme dedicated to industry professionals, puts the spotlight on design as a driver of business transformation, international growth and sustainable development.

The 2026 theme, Plot Twists, invites visitors to explore design and the built environment as constantly evolving fields, where unexpected changes in direction can generate new ideas, collaborations and business opportunities. The theme runs throughout the event, from its talks and discussions to its immersive installations and experiences.

Over five days, Habitare Pro will feature international keynote speakers, expert discussions, workshops and networking opportunities. The main stage programme will explore design, architecture, living and creative work, alongside topics including renovation, spatial design, storytelling, the future of materials, the circular economy and the role of creativity in business competitiveness.

International speakers include Danish design studio All the Way to Paris, Kallesø Architects, HEM founder Petrus Palmér, and Runo Hotels founder Erkka Hirvonen. Saturday’s headline speaker is Belgrade-born, Paris-based designer, photographer and artist Ana Kraš, whose multidisciplinary practice moves between design, art and visual culture.

Friday’s dedicated architecture programme will focus on the future of the built environment and sustainable design. A new addition to this year’s event is Build Lab, bringing together experts, materials and solutions from the construction and renovation sectors as part of the wider Habitare programme.

The professional programme is complemented by Pro Design Talks, the Habitare Pro Lounge, the international networking platform EventsPRO, and Nordic Quarters, which highlights current developments and emerging phenomena in Nordic design and architecture. During the event, several Helsinki-based design companies will also open their showrooms to visitors in collaboration with Helsinki Design Week.

The Plot Twists theme extends into Habitare’s experiential programme. Kino Konepaja will bring a cinema environment into the exhibition hall in collaboration with Cinemafix, Bolon and Genelec, creating a setting where design, space and audiovisual experiences converge.

In recent years, Habitare has increasingly strengthened its position as a business platform for design. Alongside the exhibition itself, the programme places growing emphasis on design as a driver of competitiveness and innovation, as well as a tool for supporting international growth. For an increasing number of companies, design is becoming recognised as a strategic investment rather than simply the final stage of developing a product or service.

In 2025, Habitare attracted more than 43,000 visitors and over 500 companies and organisations. The 2026 event continues its ambition to strengthen Helsinki’s position as one of Northern Europe’s key meeting points for design and the interior sector.

Design Forum Finland is the official partner of Habitare Pro.