Tickets to Unmissable UX Conferences in 2026
Your global guide to the UX conferences worth your time, your travel budget, and your energy (Part 1)
Did you know that professionals who attend at least one industry conference per year are 35% more likely to report a career advancement within 18 months? And yet most UX practitioners say they struggle to find the right event, not because there aren’t enough, but because the options are overwhelming. This year, we’re doing something different.
Instead of a chronological dump of dates, we’ve mapped some of the best UX conferences of 2026 by region. Whether you’re in DC, Copenhagen, Tokyo, or São Paulo, there’s a room somewhere in the world waiting for you. Here’s where to find it.
Region 01
🇺🇸 United States ———————————————
Featured In-Person Washington DC AreaOctober
UXCON26
📅 October 8, 2026📍 Silver Spring Civic Building, Silver Spring, MD💰
“The biggest UX conference on the East Coast - right in the heart of DC.”
After two years of bringing the UX community together for conversations that actually matter, we’re back with our biggest, most inspiring lineup yet. If you were at UXCON24 or UXCON25, you already know what this day feels like. If this is your first time hearing about us: welcome. You picked a good year to show up.
This is the event where practitioners, researchers, leaders like Don Norman, and builders come to think harder, connect deeper, and leave genuinely changed by the conversations they had.
In-PersonSeattleApril
ConveyUX 2026
📅 April 13, 2026📍 Grand Hyatt Seattle, WA
Now in its 14th edition, ConveyUX returns as a leadership-focused summit for senior UX professionals. One intimate day of deep sessions centered on user research, interaction design, and content strategy. In 2026, the focus sharpens on AI transformation, design ROI, and executive leadership. Zero filler.
In-PersonPhiladelphia April
Information Architecture Conference 2026 (IAC26)
📅 April 14–18, 2026📍 Arch Street Meeting House, Philadelphia, PA
The 27th annual gathering for IA academics and practitioners, themed “Navigating Complexity.” IAC26 explores how information architecture bridges user-centered design and the growing influence of AI — with lightning talks, in-depth sessions, and the legendary warmth of the IA community.
In-Person + OnlineNew YorkMay
UXDX USA 2026
📅 May 11–13, 2026📍 New York, NY
One of the rare conferences that brings product, UX, design, and engineering under one roof. Built for cross-functional teams tired of working in silos, expect high-caliber speakers, real case studies, and sessions that challenge how teams ship together. They’ve sold out the last few years, so move fast.
In-PersonLas Vegas June
UXPA International 2026
📅 June 22–25, 2026📍 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
The 35th edition of the world’s flagship UX professional conference. Four days at Caesars Palace - pre-conference workshops on Monday, then three days of keynotes, panels, and sessions. UXPA is the annual homecoming for UX practitioners worldwide who want to learn, connect, and shape the future of human-centered design.
before we continue……
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are looking for a Community Engagement and Service Design Lead to support a community-funded initiative focused on strengthening relationships with local businesses and improving participation across a commercial corridor in Maryland.
If you are a strong communicator, a relationship builder, and available for some in-person work in the Maryland area, this one is for you.
Region 02
🇪🇺 Europe —————————————————
ACM CHI 2026
📅 April 13–17, 2026📍 Barcelona Convention Center, Spain
The premier academic conference on Human-Computer Interaction, held at the International Barcelona Convention Center. This year introduces a streamlined 5-day format with paper presentations in the mornings and five interactive afternoon session categories. The global gold standard for HCI research — where the discipline’s most important ideas are published and debated.
In-PersonAarhus, DenmarkApril
📅 April 15–16, 2026📍 Vue Bruuns Theater, Aarhus, Denmark
The fourth edition of the Nordic region’s premier UX event returns after a one-year hiatus. Day one: sponsor-free, carefully curated talks from respected industry experts, zero sales pitches. Day two: a full-day immersive workshop. Built for people who care deeply about their craft and want honest, peer-driven conversation.
In-PersonRotterdamApril15% Off Code
UX Rotterdam 2026
📅 April 16–17, 2026📍 Zuidplein Theater, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Brand new on the European scene — the inaugural UX Rotterdam brings 650 professionals to one of Europe’s most forward-thinking design cities. 30+ keynotes and workshops across design, branding, research, strategy, and AI innovation — plus an evening program included in every ticket. Use code eventcon15 for 15% off registration.
Leiden, Netherlands April
UXinsight Festival 2026
📅 April 20–22, 2026📍 Stadsgehoorzaal, Leiden, Netherlands
The 10th edition: a milestone anniversary, of the Netherlands’ premier UX research conference. The Stadsgehoorzaal transforms into a collaborative lab where researchers experiment, share real-world stories, and leave with practical ideas you can immediately apply to your own challenges.
A decade of advancing UX research, celebrated right.
In-Person + Online Berlin May
UXDX EMEA 2026
📅 May 27–29, 2026📍 Berlin, Germany
The European counterpart to UXDX USA, three days of cross-functional learning for product, UX, design, and engineering teams. Same proven formula: real-world talks, collaborative formats, and sessions that challenge how teams actually work. Berlin adds its own creative grit to the mix.
In-Person + OnlineVienna, Austria September
uxcon vienna 2026
📅 September 16–17, 2026📍 University of Vienna, Austria
Europe’s friendliest conference for UX research and design — now held at the historic University of Vienna. Known for its unusually thoughtful atmosphere: no sponsor noise, just practitioners sharing real experience. Topics span AI-era UX, accessibility, behavioral science, responsible design, and the evolving relationship between humans and machines.
Region 03
🌏 Asia ————————————————————
In-PersonTokyo, JapanFebruary
DDX Tokyo 2026
📅 February 4, 2026📍 Tokyo, Japan
The Japan edition of the global DDX Conference Series, dedicated to UX, product design, digital innovation, and human–technology interaction. DDX Tokyo blends international perspectives with Japan’s unique design culture of craft, precision, and future-thinking. Conducted in English with Japanese translation. Intimate format; under 300 attendees. One of the most forward-looking conferences in Asia.
In-PersonSingapore June
ACM DIS 2026 – Designing Interactive Systems
📅 June 13–17, 2026📍 National University of Singapore
Held at the National University of Singapore, ACM DIS 2026 explores how interactive systems connect with broader sociocultural, political, economic, and ethical dimensions,, from climate change to accelerating AI. A deeply research-oriented gathering for practitioners and academics shaping the next wave of responsible, human-centered design.
Tickets: TBA
Region 04
🌐 Global & Online ————————————
No travel budget? No problem. These events bring world-class UX thinking wherever you are.
In-Person + VirtualSan Francisco + OnlineApril
Config 2026 by Figma
📅 April 6–9, 2026📍 San Francisco, CA + Virtual
Figma’s annual global design conference - 75+ speakers, 50+ sessions, and an inside look at where design and product development are heading next. Config is where the Figma team shares what they’re building, why it matters, and where real product teams get practical takeaways they can apply immediately. Virtual attendance makes it accessible to the entire global community.
In-Person Multiple Cities Year-Round
DDX Global Conference Series
📅 Multiple dates in 2026📍 Tokyo · Dubai · Munich · London · New York · San Diego
Under 300 people, zero sales pitches, every detail designed for actual connection. The DDX series is built for people who want substance over spectacle and real conversations over conference chaos. 2026 brings six events across three continents. If you travel for work and want a room full of serious practitioners, this is your series.
A note on
🌎 Latin America & Africa
The UX conference scene in Latin America and Africa is growing fast, but dedicated UX-specific events with confirmed 2026 dates are still limited in our research. Web Summit Rio brings thousands of tech professionals to Brazil, and community-led UX events are emerging across Nigeria, Kenya, Colombia, and Argentina. We’re committed to highlighting these as they’re confirmed. Know of one? Reply to this newsletter and we’ll add it to our running list. This guide belongs to all of us.
Start With Your Backyard.
If you’re in the DC area, the next step is right here.
Refresh DC, Friends of Figma, UXDX & User Experience University are bringing together DC’s UX designers, product managers, researchers, and engineers for a night built around real connection.
And because showing up should come with perks:
🎟️ Win a FREE ticket to UXCON26
🎓 Every attendee gets 25% off UXCON26 just for coming
Come meet the community at DC Tech Happy Hour on April 2nd and walk away with a 25% discount to UXCON26 just for showing up.
Every event on this list is more than a conference - it’s a room full of people who chose to show up. For their craft. For their community. For growth. Wherever you are in the world, we hope you find your room in 2026. And when you do, look around - your next collaborator, mentor, or best idea might be standing right next to you.