WONDER Festival 2026 OPEN CALL
WONDER brings together creative talent from all over Belgium in a unique discovery trail through Kortrijk UNESCO City of Design from 27 October to 8 November 2026.
We invite designers, artists, creative organisations, schools and companies to participate.
WONDER is a festival for design, innovation, technology and art, but above all it is unique as a vibrant platform and connector for creative, innovative, sustainable, digital and social ideas, projects and products.
In a world that speeds, yells and grinds, our creative minds offer a counterbalance. They encourage reflection, stimulate open-mindedness and inspire in a bold way for a better future. That is why we invite you to participate. Submit your creative products, projects or installations now to take part in the festival.
WONDER is organised by Designregio Kortrijk. In 2025, we welcomed more than 18,000 visitors to a trail of 34 locations showcasing design, art, technology and innovation. More than 500 participating designers, companies, students and artists exhibited in the 60 exhibitions and installations. Our visitors are a mix of leisure visitors with a creative and/or entrepreneurial background or interest, families, professionals and educators.
In 2026, the festival will run from Tuesday 27 October to Sunday 8 November (closed on Mondays). The festival will mainly take place on and around Buda Island in Kortrijk, with the Buda Factory as the main location. We will also leave room for a few off-site locations.
Who can participate?
Submissions for WONDER can be made under one of the following categories:
- Category 1: you are a designer, artist or collective
- Category 2: you are an organisation in the field of education, knowledge and culture, a gallery, professional design studio or commercial enterprise
- Category 3: you are a company
Participation is open until Thursday 16 April 2026.
The festival is organised by Designregio Kortrijk and made possible by our enthusiastic partners: key partners Stad Kortrijk, Flanders Technology & Innovation, Nationale Loterij, supporting partners Omer Vander Ghinste en Polestar, media partners De Morgen and Humo and founding partners Howest, Kortrijk Xpo, Intercommunal Leiedal, Stad Kortrijk, Voka West-Vlaanderen and Imog.
Lisa Declercq
Lisa is responsible for the offline and online visibility and communication of Designregio Kortrijk. She is always looking for the next big thing in young design talent and builds up the creative community of the organisation.
