One of the better weekends on San Diego’s cultural calendar is back. EXPO Design Market is returning to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego for its third year, and the programming across all three days makes a strong case for clearing the schedule.

Three Days, One Creative Community

Organized in partnership with Mortis Studio and Kiku Room, EXPO is a two-day market that brings together some of the sharpest independent voices in design, publishing, and visual culture from San Diego and across Southern California. Think curated vendors, live DJ sets, and in-depth artist talks – all on MCASD’s grounds in La Jolla.

It’s also a good excuse to get back inside the museum. Anyone attending EXPO gets 50% off gallery admission both days, including access to the current Giants and Hometown Heroes exhibition.

Friday Night Pre-Party: Geller

The weekend kicks off Friday with a pre-party featuring Geller, an LA-based artist, producer, and media composer known for bringing a distinctly human quality to electronic music. Tickets are required for this one.

EXPO Lightrip: Daytime DJ Sets

Presented by Kiku Room and Ohmega HiFi, the Lightrip stage runs both days with Dirty Dave on Saturday and Freshro on Sunday. Good music paired with La Jolla sunshine – a solid way to move through the market.

EXPO Lab: Talks Worth the Time

This is one of the more compelling parts of the weekend. EXPO Lab brings together a range of creatives for candid conversations about craft, career, and culture.

Saturday’s lineup features furniture and lighting designer Nick Pourfard talking through his career path, graphic designer Erik Carter on the shifting state of the design industry, and Nike’s Expert Designer and Senior Design Manager Justin Atallian reflecting on 12 years at the intersection of sport and style.

Sunday continues with Itzel Islas on cross-border design and building an identity in two languages, Sergio Hernandez on the layered process of making an independent film, and a zine workshop from Scanners Archive and Mortis Studio to close out the day.

The Vendors

More than 30 vendors will be set up across the weekend, covering books, apparel, eyewear, candles, records, prints, leather goods, and more.

Some names to look for: Burn All Books & Friends, Crap Eyewear, FeeLIT Records, Heavy Manners Library, Lang Books, Poppy Press, Será Hogar, and a strong lineup of local visual artists and independent makers.

EXPO After Dark at Kiku Room

Each night wraps up with a free 21+ after party at Kiku Room. No RSVP needed – just show up. Saturday night features Max Colletto and Enzo Muro; Sunday closes out with Freshro. Entry is first come, first served based on capacity.

See you there!

EXPO is the kind of weekend that reminds us exactly how strong San Diego’s creative community is – come through for the vendors, stay for the talks, and close it all out at the after party.

📆 Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7, 2026
📍 700 Prospect St, La Jolla
🎟️ Get your pre-party tickets here
ℹ️ Find more details here

See you there, San Diego!