Mini guide: DDW on a budget

With a ticket starting at €25.00, you get nine days (!) of design fun. But hey, maybe you’d rather spend that €25.00 on something else, or perhaps you only have a few hours for DDW this week. That’s why we’re here to tell you where you can have a great DDW experience (almost) for free.

Ketelhuisplein | Strijp-S

The Ketelhuisplein is always a great place to hang out, partly due to the presence of various pop-up bars and food stalls. Grab a hot chocolate and explore the lively square, where you can admire SONIC MAZE’s inflatable installation, amongst other exhibitions. At SKRAF, discover how letters and words transform into unique patterns. The fabrics serve a dual purpose: they’re not just visually striking—they also carry a message. Try decoding the patterns yourself and marvel at the blend of language, design, and visual art.

VEEM | Strijp-S

At Manifestations, 50 young designers guide you through the world of art, tech, robots, and E-fashion. This exhibition has become a staple for seasoned Dutch Design Week (DDW) visitors. Here, you’ll see works exploring the relationship between humans and technology and learn how these innovations can contribute to a more beautiful, kind, and socially connected world. 

Kazerne | City center

For just five euros, you get access to all the exhibitions at the Home of Design. Discover groundbreaking shows pushing the limits of textiles, or join the book launch of Symbiotic Design Framework, which reveals how design can help build a sustainable and equitable world. Instead of just creating pretty or novel things, these designers focus on caring for people, nature, and society.

Kelderman en van Noort (KEVN) | Woensel-West

Ever dreamed of being an architect? It's time to give it a try at Wonderlijke Water Woningen! In this architecture workshop, you're challenged to design your ultimate water home—whether it’s on, around, or even in the water. Roll up your sleeves and let's get building! Meanwhile, Human Zoo explores the blurring line between humans and technology, showing how our digital and physical selves are increasingly intertwined.

De Fabriek | Hallenweg

Creativity knows no borders! Students from Luca School of Arts in Ghent (Textile Design) and Genk (Product Design) showcase their graduation projects in a collaborative exhibition. For many, it’s their first time presenting their work as part of a unified show. Together, they reveal how textile and product design inspire each other and spark fresh ideas.

Extra tip: single tickets and reduced rates

Besides regular tickets, some locations offer individual tickets. These include Kazerne (€5), Dutch Invertuals (€5), New Order of Fashion Lab (€2.50), or Philips Museum (€12.50). With a wristband, you can enter these for free. On a tight budget? Through Cultuur-Inclusief, you can request a DDW ticket for €2.50. Children up to 11 years old can enter DDW for free! And students get a discount.