Design Festival North 2026: Leeds set to kick off elite regional tour at Royal Armouries

Now in its sixth year, the festival lands at the Royal Armouries Hall on Wednesday (March 11), and in a move away from conventional, sprawling trade shows, this design-led event offers a focused and intimate experience where professionals can truly engage with products; touching textures, testing furniture, and experiencing the latest innovations first-hand.

Located in the idyllic waterside setting of Leeds Dock, the Royal Armouries serves as the ultimate sanctuary for architects, specifiers, and interior design enthusiasts.

Moving away from the traditional London-centric trade fairs, the 2026 tour highlights the strength of regional design hubs.

With a heavy focus on ‘Circular Design’ and sustainable material innovation, attendees can expect to see the latest from major industry players like Antalis, alongside specialists in acoustics, smart lighting, and heritage textiles.

There is also the return of ‘The Network’: billed as "part showcase, part social," the event aims to foster collaboration across Northern hubs, proving that you don't need to head to London to find world-class innovation.

Whether you are reimagining a workplace or planning a large-scale residential development, the festival aims to equip the North’s creative community with the tools and trends needed to stay ahead in a competitive industry.

Who is exhibiting at the Design Festival North this week?

The 2026 tour opener features a curated selection of exceptional brands and suppliers.

If you’re heading down to the Dock this Wednesday, here are the innovators you can expect to meet:

• Brintons: renowned for high-performance woven carpets.
• Atkinson & Kirby: specialists in premium hardwood flooring.
• Silent Gliss: the leading global supplier of high-end curtain and blind systems.
• Arrow Group: experts in commercial furniture and workplace solutions.
• Altro: pioneers in safety flooring and hygienic wall cladding.
• Mallion & Knowles: traditional and contemporary upholstery specialists.
• Simonswerk: providing high-quality hinge systems for heavy-duty doors.
• Hill Cross Furniture: specialists in bespoke contract furniture for hospitality.
• Corston Architectural Detail: designers of solid brass hardware and lighting.
• Framery: the global leader in soundproof office pods and booths.

• Antalis: showcasing creative interior decoration and visual substrates.
• Waxman Ceramics: one of the UK’s largest distributors of architectural tiles.
• PPG: global leaders in paints, coatings, and speciality materials.
• Egger: experts in wood-based materials for furniture and interior design.
• Leeds Arts University: showcasing the next generation of creative talent.
• Tarkett: innovators in sustainable flooring and sports surface solutions.
• Porcelanosa: the gold standard for luxury tiles, bathrooms, and kitchens.
• Versital: providing bespoke faux-marble and high-quality stone surfaces.
• Woodland Trust: highlighting sustainable woodland management and environmental design.
• Genesis: specialists in ceramics, stone, and finishing profiles.

How can I attend the Design Festival North 2026 event in Leeds?

To attend the Design Festival North 2026 event in Leeds, you simply need to register for a free visitor ticket through the official Design Social North website or via their dedicated Eventbrite page.

The doors are open from 12pm until 6pm, offering a concentrated six-hour window to engage with the UK’s leading creative brands.

While the tickets are complimentary, the festival is strictly tailored for industry professionals, including architects, interior designers, property developers, specifiers, and design students.

Because the event focuses on intimate, high-level networking rather than a traditional high-street trade show format, pre-registration is essential to ensure entry.