Traverse City Design Week: October 4-10, 2026
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Traverse City Design Week: October 4-10, 2026 〰️
TCDW 2026
2026 THEME:
Design Outside the Box
This year's theme celebrates bold thinking, creative problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration that challenges assumptions, sparks conversation, and pushes limits.
Join us October 4-10 for a week of events exploring the innovative ways Northern Michigan’s creative community is using design as a catalyst for connection, innovation, and positive change!
THE VOXBOX
Step Inside the DESIGN Conversation
This year's festival features the VoxBox, a shipping container transformed into an interactive public design studio where curiosity and collaboration take center stage. Throughout Design Week, local designers will host open hours, inviting community members to step inside and ask questions, explore real-life design challenges, and interact directly with the people shaping their everyday places and experiences.
Designer schedule & event details coming soon!
The VoxBox is supported by the Pitch Haus grant from the Michigan Growth Office, in partnership with Creative Place Consulting and Studio M Detroit. Traverse City Design Week was one of four Michigan organizations selected to receive a $25,000 grant to bring Pitch Haus, “ a mobile, multi-functional creative activation” into their communities.
Design Sessions
Go behind the Scenes & Get Hands-on
Join us at a wide range of designer-hosted events throughout the week! Enjoy talks, tours, hands-on workshops, exhibitions, and interactive events from local designers, makers, architects, entrepreneurs, and other creatives driving design in our region.
Event schedule & details coming soon!
Closing Celebration
Close out Design Week in Style
Join us Saturday, October 10 for the TCDW Closing Celebration at The Alluvion at Commongrounds! Kick things off with cocktails, culinary bites, and the 2026 Regional Designer Showcase, where you’ll view featured work from local designers. Then move inside The Alluvion for an evening of live storytelling, music, dance, and performance featuring Patagonia Senior Art Director Geoffrey Holstad, acclaimed singer-songwriters Ruby Amanfu & Sam Ashworth, MC SkyeLea, and special guests.
2026 Sponsors
2026 Sponsors
FOUNDING Sponsor Bay View Flooring & Design Center
VISIONARY Sponsor BRITTEN, INC.
more sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
Become a Sponsor!
GET INVOLVED
Host an event! We’re seeking individuals or businesses to host an event such as a workshop, panel, or open house that fosters connection and conversation in the interdisciplinary design community!
Share your work! We’re seeking regional designers of all disciplines to submit their work for consideration in the annual TCDW Regional Designer Showcase hosted by Alluvion Arts at Commongrounds.
Become a Sponsor! Expand your audience, amplify your message and support our regional design community.
Volunteer your time! We’re looking for design-loving folks to act as VoxBox hosts, provide event support, and more!
Let’s Talk Design.
Interested in volunteering, sponsorship opportunities, or something else? Fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch.