Over the years, “Future Playgrounds” has become a go-to space for exchange and inspiration within the creative scene. The speakers brought on stage by the Peter Schmidt Group are internationally renowned names who shape trends and spark conversations with their ideas and work. Past guests have included Tina Touli, Baugasm, Yonk, Espadaysantacruz, Field.io, Grit Wolany, and Karim Mustaghni. Live performances by Stefanie Egedy, PortraitXO, and Ethan Pope have also wowed audiences. 

The festival has kept growing and has now firmly found its home at DesignZentrum Hamburg. So it’s only natural that “Future Playgrounds” 2026 will take place here again. On September 10 and 11, design enthusiasts can look forward to another high-caliber lineup. Speakers will be announced step by step over the coming weeks. Under the theme “Own Your Aura,” they’ll explore why great design needs more emotion – and less pure performance. 

Contrasts that can challenge – but inspire 

“Future Playgrounds isn’t your typical design festival,” says Lukas Cottrell, CEO of the Peter Schmidt Group. “It’s a space for perspectives, for friction – and for people who are ready to think of design as a cultural force again.” 

The festival is curated by Felix Damerius and Sven Rieckmann, both Executive Creative Directors at the Peter Schmidt Group. When selecting speakers, they deliberately look for contrasts that might feel unexpected – but that’s exactly the point: “We’re aiming for friction, not comfort,” says Felix Damerius. “Technical tools meet radical design, illustration meets sound, strategy meets intuition. We’re not chasing consistency – we’re creating tension. Because without tension, there is no relevance.” For constant updates on the speaker lineup and tickets, visit the event microsite: https://future-playgrounds.peter-schmidt-group.de