The 2026 URBACT City Festival is a flagship European urban event taking place in Nicosia, Cyprus, from 31 March to 1 April 2026. It is organised by the URBACT Programme and its Joint Secretariat, under the patronage of the 2026 Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the City of Nicosia.
Around 500 city-makers, local leaders and urban experts from across Europe will gather across three key locations in Nicosia – the Royal Hall, Eleftheria (Freedom) Square and the Old GSP Square – to explore how cities can tackle pressing urban challenges.
Participants will discover 273 local actions developed by 30 URBACT Action Planning Networks, covering topics such as mobility, digitalisation, climate action, health, social inclusion, urban planning and greening local economies. The programme features an outdoor exhibition and marketplace (open to the public for the first time), thematic sessions, city visits and dedicated networking spaces.
The festival is also a key moment to learn about the next URBACT call for networks, meet European funders, and build new partnerships, helping cities return home with concrete ideas, contacts and policy solutions.