Events and Celebrations
The UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona unfolds across a sequence of events, exhibitions, and public gatherings distributed throughout the city.
The programme begins with the International Emerging Workshop (18–27 June), bringing together 180 students in the lead-up to the Congress. This initial phase will already activate the Congress’ main venue — the Three Chimneys — which will open to the public ahead of the official Congress dates.
Pre-Congress Programme. 18–27 June
18 June, 19:00–22:00
Oficial welcome to Emerging Workshop participants. Invitation only event.
Les Tres Xemeneies del Besòs
24–26 June, 12:00–20:00
Central Exhibition open to the public.
Les Tres Xemeneies del Besòs
24, 25 and 26 June, 19:00–21:00.
Les Tres Xemeneies del Besòs
24 June:
Bangkok Tokyo Architecture (JP/TH), Common Accounts (ES/CA), TEN (SE/CH), Design Earth (LB/DZ)
25 June:
Nuno Melo Sousa (PT), Nicolas Dorval-Bory (FR), BeAr (ES), Ibiye Camp (GB/NG)
26 June:
Plan Común (CL), Mio Tsuneyama and Fuminori Nousaku (JP), Simulaa (AU), Assemble (GB)
Talks are a public event. Free access
Congress Days. 28 June – 2 July
From 28 June to 2 July, the Congress Days bring together thematic sessions, exhibitions, and public events across key venues, including the Three Chimneys, the CCIB, and the DHub.
Each day is structured around the Congress thematic lines, combining keynote lectures, panel discussions, working group activities, and a wide range of collateral events across the city.
The Three Chimneys site becomes the central meeting point of the Congress, hosting the Central Exhibition and the daily Open Forum sessions, conceived as shared moments of exchange across participants.
Key institutional and celebratory moments punctuate the programme, including the Opening Ceremony, the Student Competition Awards, the UIA Triennial Awards, and the Final Night and Gala Dinner. The Congress concludes on 2 July with the UIA Own Awards and Closing Ceremony.
Main Events Programme
Sunday, 28 June
19:30–23:00
Opening Ceremony of the UIA World Congress of Architects 2026 Barcelona and inauguration of the Central Exhibition. (Three Chimneys).
Advance registration through the private area is required (for participants with Professional and Student Full Passes). The Three Chimneysis an outdoor, unpaved venue. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
Monday, 29 June
19:30–21:00
Open Forum — Day 1 (Three Chimneys).
No prior registration is required, subject to venuecapacity. The Three Chimneys is an outdoor, unpaved venue. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
21:00–22:30
Student Competition Granting Ceremony (Three Chimneys): Catalysts of Resilience, Architecture in the Aftermath of Disasters & Light of Tomorrow by VELUX.
Open-access event until full capacity is reached. The Three Chimneys is an outdoor, unpaved venue. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
Tuesday, 30 June
19:30–21:00
Open Forum — Day 2 (Three Chimneys).
No prior registration is required, subject to venuecapacity. The Three Chimneys is an outdoor, unpaved venue. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
20:00–22:00
UIA Triennial Ceremony Awards at the Sagrada Familia. Invitation-only event.
Wednesday, 1 July
19:30–21:00
Open Forum — Day 3 (Three Chimneys).
No prior registration is required, subject to venuecapacity. The Three Chimneys is an outdoor, unpaved venue. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
20:00–23:30
Gala Dinner at the Montjuïc Castle.
- Gala Dinner Ticket: €100 per person.
- Gala Dinner Ticket + Transport: €130 per person. Transport will be provided by bus departing from the CCIB and returning to the same location at the end of the event. This option is recommended.
The venue has uneven ground; comfortable footwear is recommended. Advance registration is required. Tickets can be purchased through your private area. (For all participants and accompanying guests).
21:00–23:30
Congress Final Night (Three Chimneys).
No prior registration is required, subject to venuecapacity.(For participants with Professional and Student Full Passes and participants with Professional and Student Day Passes valid for 1 July 2026.) The Three Chimneys is an outdoor, unpaved venue. Comfortable clothing and footwear are recommended.
Thursday, 2 July
09:30–12:00
Official Closing Ceremony (CCIB).
Advance registration through the private area is required. (For participants with Professional and Student Full Passes and participants with Professional and Student Day Passes valid for 1 July 2026.)
With the support of:
| Previous Congress | Congress Period | After Congress | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 – 27 June | Sunday, June 28 | Monday, June 29 | Tuesday, June 30 | Wednesday, July 1 | Thursday, July 2 | 3–19 July |
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Congress Sessions & UIA Working Bodies Exhibitions & Lectures
Becoming More-than-human
Becoming Circular
09:00 – 18:15
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Congress Sessions & UIA Working Bodies Exhibitions & Lectures
Becoming Embodied
Becoming Interdependent
09:00 – 18:15
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Congress Sessions & UIA Working Bodies Exhibitions & Lectures
Becoming Hyper conscious
Becoming Attuned
09:00 – 18:15
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UIA Working Bodies Exhibitions
09:00 – 14:00
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Emerging Workshop Leader’s Talks
24 june: 19h -21h
25 june: 19h -21h
26 june: 19h -21h
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Opening Ceremony
19:30 – 23:00
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Open Forum day 1
19:30 – 21:00
Open Forum day 2
19:30 – 21:00
Open Forum day 3
19:30 – 21:00
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UIA Member Sections Exhibition
10:00 – 19:00
Free Access
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UIA Member Sections Exhibition
10:00 – 19:00
Free Access
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UIA Member Sections Exhibition
10:00 – 19:00
Free Access
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UIA Member Sections Exhibition
10:00 – 14:00
Free Access
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