London Design Festival 2023 | Programme of Events at Oxo Tower Wharf

Material Matters at Oxo Tower Wharf.

Discover an exciting programme of craft and design at London Design Festival at Oxo Tower Wharf!

London Design Festival celebrates and promotes our city as the design capital of the world. The next edition takes place this week between 16 – 24 September 2023.

From millinery to ceramics, weaving to leatherworking and much more, a haven for the design and craft-curious is waiting to be discovered at Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s South Bank. Our creative community of studio showrooms and boutiques on the first and second floors offer a design-led shopping experience and are open to browse, buy, commission and learn with special demos and workshops.

Visitors can explore over 25 designer-maker open studios across two floors of the riverside landmark. You'll also find design fair Material Matters, taking over Bargehouse with installations, talks and more, as well as The Wood Awards at gallery@oxo.

Programme of Events

Image of two ceramic tea cups.

Kasama Potters | 16 – 24 September at wagumi, Unit 1.09, First Floor Riverside

Kasama Potters return with cookware, drinkware, and a new display for London Design Festival 2023.

Following previous successful London showcases, Kasama Potters will return this autumn. A collective of accomplished individual ceramicists from the Japanese ceramic town of Kasama, their work is marked for its quality and diversity.

For LDF 2023, Kasama Potters will present a collection of specially fired clay cooking pots and unglazed drinkware. This will be shown together with original work and popular pieces at wagumi from 11am-6pm. Find wagumi on the First Floor Riverside of Oxo Tower Wharf.

Image of an art installation lit up at night.

OpenWork/Açık Yapıt | 16 – 24 September at Bernie Spain Gardens

Based at Bernie Spain Gardens next to Oxo Tower Wharf as part of London Design Festival 2023, artist Melek Zeynep Bulut showcases OpenWork, a performative and theatrical exhibition of transitions.

Winner of the 'Public Medal' at this year’s London Design Biennale, the installation focuses on the rigidity that we call the ‘world’. With corners and walls, it highlights the perceptions that squeeze human beings into a concrete mentality.

The OpenWork installation is free to visit and open daily between 10am-10pm. Find OpenWork at Bernie Spain Gardens on the Riverside Walkway, next to Oxo Tower Wharf.

Image of people looking at woodwork in a gallery.

The Wood Awards | 20 – 23 September at gallery@oxo

Featuring exceptional wood-centric work from some of the most interesting contemporary architects, designers and makers in the UK, The Wood Awards exhibition at gallery@oxo will showcase the shortlisted buildings, furniture and products for The Wood Awards 2023.

Established in 1971, The Wood Awards recognise, encourage and promote outstanding wood design, craftsmanship and installation. The awards are split into two main categories, Buildings and Furniture & Product.

Exhibiting as part of Material Matters, The Wood Awards exhibition is open from Wednesday 20 September to Saturday 23 September, 11am-6pm. Find out more about The Wood Awards here.

Material Matters entrance at Bargehouse.

Material Matters | 20 – 23 September at Bargehouse

Now in its second year at Bargehouse, Material Matters 2023 brings together over 40 world-leading designers to celebrate the importance of materials and how they shape our lives.

As a trade-focussed fair, Material Matters illustrates the importance of material intelligence and application across design, architecture and making.

The fair will feature world-class brands, manufacturers, design and makers alongside an unmissable programme of talks and installations, all focussed on celebrating the importance of material in design and architecture. The fair is open from Wednesday 20 September to Saturday 23 September, 10am-6pm. To book your tickets, click here.

We are thrilled to welcome back London Design Festival to Oxo Tower Wharf for another exciting programme of craft and design events on the London design calendar.

Whatever interests you across our creative community – a ceramic showcase, an outdoor installation, or an exciting design fair – we have plenty of activities for you this September!

Visit our page for more information on London Design Festival at Oxo Tower Wharf.