7 – 12 April 2026
The European Craft Days (ECD) are returning this spring. From 7 to 12 April 2026, the European crafts sector will once again shift its focus from the gallery to the workshop, celebrating the specific connection between skill, territory, and material. The European Crafts Alliance is proud to support this movement, initiated and coordinated by L’Institut pour les Savoir-Faire Français.
Same Event, New Title
From 2026 onwards, the annual event adopts a clearer, stronger English title: European Craft Days. The removal of “Artistic” is designed to reduce language barriers, with “craft” being the operative word. Whether the national terminology is Métiers d’art, Kunsthandwerk, or Hantverk, the simplified English title now tells the story in a unified voice.
The 2026 Theme: With Heart and Soul
The theme of the ECD 2026 is With Heart and Soul (Cœurs à l’ouvrage). Often, we picture a craftsperson working alone. This year, however, the focus shifts to the shared effort behind the work. It connects the “Heart” – the passion, with the “Soul” – the discipline required to shape timber, fire clay, or weave fibre. Most importantly, the theme is about connection. It celebrates how specific techniques are passed down from hand to hand, keeping crafts alive in both cities and rural regions.
A Vibrant New Visual Identity
To reflect this spirit of connection, the visual identity of the 2026 edition centers on the human encounter. It captures the distinct energy of the workshop and the moment of transmission when a visitor witnesses a skill in action. It serves as a visual celebration of the exchange between the audience and the professional.
The ECA Support
Following the successful conclusion of the EU-co-funded Crafting project in 2025, the funding has shifted. There will be no open call for financial grants from the ECA this year. Instead, the ECA is concentrating its resources on supporting the activities within the Country of Honour. The selected nation will be announced shortly.
Join the European Craft Days
This April, thousands of workshops, museums, ateliers, schools, and training centres will open their doors simultaneously across Europe. It is a unique opportunity to welcome the public and showcase the distinct skills behind ceramics, woodworking, textile weaving, glassblowing, jewellery, and metalwork.
The official digital map launches in February as the primary guide for visitors. Whether you are based in a big city or a small village, you are invited to register your event now to ensure your location is visible. Register your event>>
Join the Celebration
Whether you are a craftsperson, an enthusiast, or simply curious, join the celebration of European craft from 7 to 12 April 2026 near you. Stitch by stitch, hand to hand: let us put our heart and soul into the work!
Find out more at europeancraftdays.eu!
photo: JAD Atelier, Tony Jouanneau, JEMA 2024, Paris, 06.04.2024 © A