Creative Week: London, United Kingdom 2026

Overview

Creative Week London 2026, an extension of The One Club for Creativity’s flagship global festival, is poised to illuminate the UK’s vibrant advertising and design landscape from May 11-15 at venues like the Southbank Centre and Somerset House, uniting over 2,000 creatives, executives, and emerging talents for a dynamic blend of awards, summits, and workshops celebrating innovation amid AI advancements and cultural inclusivity. Inspired by the New York edition’s 16-year legacy, this European counterpart—curated in partnership with UK bodies like D&AD—focuses on equity in creativity, sustainable storytelling, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, drawing from The One Show’s 2026 “Your Victory, Crystallized” theme to honor works that fuse big ideas with ethical craftsmanship. With sessions on generative AI’s role in design and portfolio reviews for the next generation, the event fosters a supportive ecosystem for the $100B+ global creative industry, emphasizing diversity through pillars like the Young Ones competitions and Executive Creative Summit.

Attendees will experience a whirlwind of red-carpet award nights, interactive challenges like the AI Creative Challenge, and reflective panels echoing the club’s commitment to education, inclusion, and gender equality, all set against London’s iconic creative hubs. As a nonprofit-driven platform, Creative Week London 2026 not only spotlights Pencil and Cube winners but also amplifies underrepresented voices, ensuring the UK’s scene remains a beacon for authentic, forward-thinking creativity in an era of rapid technological and societal shifts.

Event Highlights

• Main Attractions: High-stakes keynotes on AI ethics in advertising and brand-agency partnerships, featuring case studies from D&AD-winning campaigns on sustainable consumer narratives and data-driven inclusivity.
• Main Activities or Performances: Award ceremonies like the ADC Annual Awards for design excellence, live portfolio critiques with mentors from The Guardian and BBC Creative, and the Client Pitch Competition pitting students against real briefs from brands like Unilever.
• Special Traditions or Features: The Morning Buzz coffee chats for casual industry discourse, the TDC Lettering Walk exploring London’s typographic heritage, and the closing Executive AI Creative Summit debating future tools with leaders from Google DeepMind.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Exclusive access to the Young Ones Student Awards for emerging talent showcases, hybrid virtual portfolio reviews for global participation, and pop-up installations blending AR with traditional craft at Somerset House.

Why Attend

Creative Week London 2026 is a vital pulse-check for creatives navigating an industry where 80% of roles demand AI fluency, delivering uncompromised strategies from The One Club’s global jury—over 300 leaders—to craft campaigns that transcend trends and build lasting cultural impact. In a market saturated with fleeting virality, the event’s intimate forums and award-spotlighting nights connect you with peers from Saatchi & Saatchi to indie studios, igniting partnerships that elevate your work from concept to Pencil-winning legacy, all while earning CPD credits in London’s inspiring environs.

Beyond accolades, Creative Week inspires through tales of resilience and reinvention, from neurodiverse designers to gender-equity advocates, underscoring how collaborative, values-led creativity drives not just awards but societal progress. Whether pitching your first client brief or leading a C-suite summit, you’ll depart with a renewed toolkit, expansive network, and the spark to champion bold ideas that redefine the creative frontier.

Date & Duration

• Dates: May 11 – 15, 2026
• Duration: 5 days

Venue / Location

• City and Main Venue: Held in London, United Kingdom, at the Southbank Centre, a riverside cultural landmark renowned for hosting interdisciplinary festivals with versatile spaces for awards and workshops.
• Notable Areas Within the Venue: Includes the Queen Elizabeth Hall for keynotes and ceremonies, Purcell Room for breakout sessions, and outdoor terraces for networking receptions along the Thames; select events at Somerset House for design-focused exhibits.
• Google Maps Address: Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom (Latitude: 51.5069, Longitude: -0.1167).

Ticket Information

• How Tickets Are Sold: Online via oneclub.org/creativeweek-london with early bird registration opening Q1 2026; bundle options for full-week access or single-day passes; group rates for agencies and students.
• Admission Type: Paid admission; discounted for students, young professionals, and One Club members; complimentary for select jury and partners.
• Ticket Pricing in USD: Early bird full-week: $550 USD; single-day: $150 USD; student/young pro: $250 USD (based on 1 GBP ≈ 1.30 USD).
• Special Seating or VIP Options: VIP passes ($850 USD) include premium seating at awards, exclusive AI summit access, and mentor roundtables; standard tickets cover core programming and exhibits.
• Ticket Price Range: $150 – $850 USD.

Booking with Euro Travelo

Looking to attend this event hassle-free? Euro Travelo can help you secure tickets, arrange travel, and manage your trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a business conference, trade show, or cultural festival, our team makes it easy for international visitors to join events across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to book your tickets and travel arrangements.

Contact Information

• Email: info@oneclub.org (general inquiries); creativeweek@oneclub.org (event-specific); press@oneclub.org (media).
• Phone: +1 212-979-1900 (New York HQ, English available); +44 20 7520 1230 (UK support line).
• Website: https://creativeweek.com (main site); https://www.oneclub.org/events (events page).
• Social Media: @OneClub (Instagram), @theoneclub (Facebook), @OneClub (X/Twitter), The One Club for Creativity (LinkedIn), One Club Channel (YouTube).
• Key Staff: Eric Ast (President & CEO); Michelle Manafy (Editorial Director).
• Press/Volunteers: press@oneclub.org (press inquiries); volunteers@oneclub.org (opportunities, applications Q1 2026).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English support available.

Getting There

• Nearest Airports: London Heathrow (LHR), 15 miles from Southbank (~45 minutes by tube/taxi); London City (LCY), 7 miles (~20 minutes); Gatwick (LGW), 30 miles (~60 minutes by train).
• Public Transport: Jubilee Line tube to Waterloo station (5-minute walk, ~$6); Thames Clipper boats from central piers (scenic, 10 minutes); Northern Line to Embankment then walk.
• Taxi/Rideshare: Black cabs or Uber from airports (~$50-80); app-based for reliability.
• Parking: Limited nearby at National Car Park Waterloo (~$30/day); favor public transport for eco-access.
• Other Access: Santander Cycles docking stations at Southbank; 10-minute walk from Westminster for immersive Thames views.

Accommodation Options

• Luxury Hotels: The Savoy (5-star, 0.5 miles, historic elegance with spa, ~$500-800/night); Corinthia London (5-star, 1 mile, opulent suites ~$400-700/night).
• Mid-Range Options: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge (4-star, 0.3 miles, river views with pool, ~$200-400/night); citizenM London Bankside (4-star, 0.7 miles, tech-forward ~$150-300/night).
• Budget Stays: Ibis London Blackfriars (3-star, 0.8 miles, efficient rooms ~$100-200/night); YHA London Central (hostel, 1.5 miles, dorms from $40/night).
• Booking Tips: One Club partners offer 10-15% discounts (e.g., at citizenM); use Booking.com for May deals; book early for festival season.
• Proximity Note: All options within 1.5 miles for tube access to Southbank and London’s creative districts like Shoreditch.

Reviews

• “A creative recharge—awards night at Southbank was magical, sparking collabs that shaped our year’s campaigns!” – Creative Director, BBH London.
• “From AI challenges to portfolio gold, the networking was unmatched; essential for UK design pros.”
• “Inspirational mix of global icons and local talent; left with tools to innovate inclusively.”