NYCxDESIGN 2025: The Ultimate Guide to Must-See Exhibitions, Tours, and Installations

New York City’s premier design festival, NYCxDESIGN, returns from May 15–23, 2025, transforming the city into a global hub of creativity, innovation, and immersive experiences. With over 280 events—including exhibitions, product launches, open studios, guided tours, and interactive installations—this year’s festival shifts focus from spectacle to authentic engagement, inviting visitors to step inside the world of design rather than just observe it.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the top events, insider tips, and curated highlights to help you navigate the festival like a pro. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, industry professional, or simply curious, this is your ultimate itinerary for NYCxDESIGN 2025.

Why NYCxDESIGN 2025 Stands Out

This year’s festival embraces a more intimate, hands-on approach, moving beyond traditional showcases to offer:

• Behind-the-scenes access to studios, workshops, and production processes.
• Interactive installations where visitors engage with materials and mechanisms.
• Conversations with designers, architects, and artists shaping NYC’s creative landscape.

Ilene Shaw, Executive Director of NYCxDESIGN, explains:

“This year’s festival feels especially energetic—full of new ways to connect, learn, and meet first-time participants. We’re experiencing parks, revitalization projects, and new infrastructure while engaging with the minds behind them.”

Top NYCxDESIGN 2025 Events You Can’t Miss

Here are the must-visit exhibitions, tours, and installations to add to your schedule:

1. Lexus Design Pavilion at Hudson Yards

📍 Location: Hudson Yards (near The Vessel)
📅 Dates: May 15–23
🎟 Admission: Free

After a years-long hiatus, the Lexus Design Pavilion returns with “Lexus Ambiance”—an immersive light installation by artist Nick Thomé. Visitors influence the environment through movement, offering a futuristic take on experience-driven design.

Why visit? A rare chance to interact with AI-powered light sculptures at one of New York’s most iconic locations.

2. Design Legacy: The Poul Kjærholm Collection

📍 Location: Fritz Hansen Gallery (Midtown)
📅 Dates: May 16–21
🎟 Admission: Free (RSVP recommended)

This exhibition celebrates modern Danish design, showcasing iconic works by Poul Kjærholm, with a focus on steel craftsmanship, structural precision, and minimalist elegance.

Why visit? A deep dive into timeless design principles still influencing contemporary interiors.

3. Tour of Building A at MADE Bush Terminal Campus (Hosted by nARCHITECTS)

📍 Location: Sunset Park, Brooklyn
📅 Dates: May 18 & 20 (limited spots)
🎟 Admission: Requires advance booking

Explore Building A, an adaptive reuse project transforming a historic industrial waterfront site into a hub for modern manufacturing, artisanal workshops, and entrepreneurial spaces.

Why visit? A firsthand look at urban revitalization and sustainable design in action.

4. Public Art Tour at Grand Central Madison Station

📍 Location: Grand Central Madison (17 floors underground)
📅 Dates: May 17–19
🎟 Admission: Free (first-come, first-served)

Discover one of NYC’s newest (and deepest) public art programs, featuring large-scale installations that redefine subterranean spaces.

Why visit? A rare underground art experience beneath one of the world’s busiest transit hubs.

5. The Davis Center at Harlem Meer (Behind-the-Scenes Tour)

📍 Location: Central Park, Harlem Meer
📅 Dates: May 16 & 22
🎟 Admission: Free (registration required)

See how historic preservation meets modern design at this revived Central Park landmark, now a community and cultural center.

Why visit? Witness adaptive reuse in a serene park setting, where nature blends with architecture.

Hidden Gems & Offbeat Experiences

While major events draw crowds, these unique experiences offer fresh perspectives:

• High School Design Tours – A special program connecting students with end-of-year exhibitions at NYC’s top design schools.
• Open Studios in Brooklyn & Queens – Meet emerging designers in their workspaces (May 18–21).
• Material Innovation Labs – Live demos of sustainable textiles, 3D-printed materials, and biodesign (multiple locations).

Final Takeaway: Why You Shouldn’t Skip This Festival

NYCxDESIGN 2025 isn’t just about seeing design—it’s about living it. From underground art adventures to hands-on material workshops, this festival bridges creators and audiences like never before.

Will you be attending? Tell us which events excite you most in the comments!