ADCE Creative Week 2026 Returns to Barcelona Connecting Europe's Creative Community

Jul. 02, 2026

The Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) returns to Barcelona from 17th to 20th of November 2026 for the second edition of ADCE Creative Week, a four-day festival that brings together Europe's creative community to exchange ideas, build relationships, and celebrate outstanding work.

Hosted at DHub Barcelona, the festival will welcome more than 500 creatives from across the continent through a programme of talks, portfolio reviews, gala ceremonies, and networking events. Designed for creative leaders, emerging talent and students, ADCE Creative Week creates opportunities to connect across disciplines, cultures, and generations.

Built on the belief that the strongest ideas emerge through collaboration, the festival reinforces ADCE's mission to champion European creativity and the people behind it.

Relationships Before Ideas

The theme of the 2026 edition is Relationships, celebrating a simple but often overlooked truth: great work has never come from ideas alone. It comes from trust. It relies on someone willing to back a vision, teammates who challenge conventional thinking, clients who believe in the work, and the communities that help creative ideas grow.

Many people have great ideas. It is relationships that transform those ideas into campaigns, brands, movements, and create impact. Throughout the week, ADCE Creative Week will explore the connections that make creativity possible and the collaborations that continue to shape Europe's creative industry.

A Week Designed for the Entire Creative Community

ADCE Creative Week offers a diverse programme; together, these activities create a meeting point where the creative industry can exchange perspectives, discover new opportunities, and strengthen the relationships that fuel the creative process.

Creative Leaders Summit

One of the major additions to this year's programme is the Creative Leaders Summit, a gathering of senior creatives and business leaders designed to explore the central theme of Relationships from every angle. 

Through keynote presentations and open discussions, the Summit will examine how these connections drive leadership, organizational transformation, and innovation. 

Industry leaders will share insights on nurturing trust across all dynamics, from the crucial bond between creative and client, to the collaborative friction among internal teams, to the broader networks that fuel the future of creativity. 

Ultimately, the Summit aims to encourage honest conversations and spark meaningful connections among some of the industry's most influential voices.
First Confirmed Speakers

The Creative Leaders Summit will feature twelve keynote speakers in an intimate format designed to encourage dialogue, interaction, and meaningful networking.

The first confirmed speakers are:

• Mihnea Gheorghiu, Global Chief Creative Officer, Le Pub
• Juliana Paracencio, Executive Creative Director, Droga5
• Dustin Duke, Head of Brand Innovation, Amazon Lab
• Liza Enebeis, Creative Director and Partner, Studio Dumbar

Additional speakers and programme details will be announced in the coming months.

ADCE Awards Jury

At the heart of the festival, leading creative professionals from across Europe convene to judge the ADCE Awards. Once again, the final round of judging will be open to the public, offering attendees a rare opportunity to witness the discussions that determine the Grand Prix and Special Awards.

Portfolio Review

Open to students, recent graduates, and young professionals, the Portfolio Review provides direct feedback from experienced creative leaders and recruiters while creating valuable connections between emerging talent and agencies from across Europe.

AI Creative Challenge

Returning in its high-energy tournament format, the AI Creative Challenge invites participants to tackle unexpected briefs using AI-powered tools, demonstrating how technology and creativity can combine in surprising and entertaining ways.

Celebrating Creativity Across Generations

ADCE Creative Week also shines a spotlight on excellence through its two flagship ceremonies.

The ADCE Student Awards Gala celebrates the next generation of European creatives, recognising outstanding student work and bringing together talent from all over the continent.

The festival closes with the ADCE Awards Gala, where the winners of the 35th edition of the ADCE Awards will be revealed. Honouring the very best work from across Europe, the ceremony celebrates creative excellence while reaffirming ADCE's mission to give European creativity global visibility.

Early Bird tickets for the public programme will be available soon at adceurope.org

Creative Express

Additionally, this year's Creative Week will host a new edition of Creative Express, a fast-paced program that brings together selected young talents from member countries. 

Collaborating in international teams, participants will respond to a live brief in just 24 hours. The initiative showcases the immense value of cross-cultural collaboration, giving rising creatives the opportunity to build lasting professional relationships and learn from one another through shared, high-pressure challenges.