Say cheese! Get to know SmashingConf Amsterdam 🇳🇱 — Smashing Magazine

We have been passionate design and user experience for years. We have published articles on design systems and usability, inclusive design and product design, UX research and enterprise UX. Now is the time to bring it all together: in person. In a new location. With a new spirit of curiosity and community. And it will happen this April!

Meet the first SmashingConf Amsterdam 🇳🇱 will take place from April 13 to 16, 2026! TO conference for UI designers and engineers everything around UX and front-end: design systems, accessibility, Figma, UX writing, Modern CSS and AI.. all while enjoying the best views, fun and sociality what Amsterdam has to offer!

“Fun” meets modern technology

Perhaps one of the most difficult Dutch words to translate directly into English is the Dutch word Gezelligheid (pronounced guh-ZELL-uhk-hyde). It is a fundamental concept in Dutch culture that loosely translates as Comfort, conviviality and a warm, social or welcoming atmosphere. – and that’s exactly what SmashingConf Amsterdam has to offer! 🙌

What should you expect?

Since we launched our first SmashingConf in 2012, each has always focused on how people in the industry work, how they fail, and how they succeed. We kindly encourage our speakers to share lessons learned and show how they work. Don’t be surprised if speakers sit down and show off their design process, or set up a Figma board and designing live with the public!

SmashingConf Amsterdam is a single-topic keynote conference aimed at front-end developers, UI engineers, and UX designers. Unlike traditional conferences that rely on polished slide presentations, SmashingConf sets itself apart with its “Live-work” philosophy. Presenters are encouraged to show their actual workflows (live coding, designing in Figma, and real-time problem solving) to provide practical insights rather than high-level theory.

All of our Smashing conferences are friendly and inclusive. In fact, we know many of the attendees by name and love that friendships develop as people meet and learn together, both during talks and workshops. Additionally, we design our parallel events to help everyone engage in meaningful and respectful conversations.

Are you already convinced, but need to convince your boss? We have your back! Download the PDF Convince your boss to tip the balance in your favor. We have prepared a “letter to the boss“Template for you too. Good luck!

Meet the speakers

Wait 10 practical talks from friendly, knowledgeable and approachable speakers who are sure to inspire you. See schedule →

Meet Kevin Powell, Nick DiLallo, Sara Soueidan, TJ Pitre, Calvin Robertson, Cristina Vallaure, Nathan Curtis, nobodyh bremer, Chris Kolband of course the Mysterious speaker.

Our speakers are very accessible and there is enough time for you to ask all your questions and get all the answers, in 1:1 conversations or roundtables.

Full-day workshops: immersive, hands-on learning

If you’re attending a conference, why not also join a hands-on workshop? Beyond the main stage sessions, the event offers a curated selection of seven full-day workshops. They are designed for deep hands-on learning, allowing you spend an entire day mastering a specific topic of your choice under the guidance of a world-class expert.

In April 13 and 16We deliver two full days of training focusing on tangible, applicable knowledge that you can use immediately after the workshop. That way you can delve even deeper into design systems, accessibility testing, or complex interface design patterns. There are many themes to choose from and there are also bundle discounts available – you can save €100 when you register for the conference and a workshop →

Impressive in-person workshops

The place: Pathé Tuschinski

We definitely don’t choose comings randomly. We love the contrast between beautiful historical sites and digital craftsmanship, so for Amsterdam we have chosen the magnificent Pathe Tuschinski An unforgettable place that will leave you impressed! (Pathé Tuschinski will be our home for both days of the conference.)

Entering Pathé Tuschinski is like entering a living masterpiece. Opened in 1921, the legendary theater contains many details, from the ornate ceilings to the sparkling wall sconces.

The main auditorium is designed with comfort in mind. The plush, spacious seating ensures you’ll be able to enjoy a perfectly unobstructed view of the stage or screen – without craning your neck or dodging high heads!

Parallel events before, during and after

While in Amsterdam, why not explore the neighborhood and the city itself? At the end of the day, these are marginal experiences transformed into something unforgettable!

• Friedman’s Fabulous Fry Party 🍟
  Join the one and only Vitaly for a little party (which is Dutch for “little party”) around some interesting neighborhoods in the city, sharing his best tips on bitterballen, fries, ice cream and more. It’s a great way to connect with other attendees before the main event even begins and connect over cones of perfectly crispy Dutch fries!
• Smashing Sloep (Canal Tour) 🚤
  Enjoy a relaxing 2-hour cruise along Amsterdam’s iconic canals, passing historic canal houses and under low stone bridges. You will share a sloepje with between 6 and 7 fellow attendees and choose your own route. The €30 fee is not included in your conference entry, so be sure to register separately (friends and family can join too!).
• improvised session 🎤
  Lightning talks, drinks and snacks – it’s the perfect setting to meet other attendees and have fun the night before the conference. This event is for attendees only and you can pick up your badge early and skip the registration lines on Tuesday morning. The atmosphere is open, friendly and stimulating, so be sure to join in!
• Sports and morning rituals 🧘
  It’s about keeping your energy high and clearing your head. If you are a runner or rather a yoga cat, we have just what you need. You can join speakers and attendees for a 5K run and then, if you wish, join a mindfulness session with a few minutes of functional stretching followed by guided meditation and stillness. You do it!
• Bitterballen and beer 🍺
  You can’t be in the Netherlands without embracing the local flavor. Breaks come with bitterballen, the iconic Dutch crunchy meat snacks, paired with cold beer. It’s not just about catering; It is culture.

Together, these parallel events Turn a conference ticket into a complete experience: part learning, part adventure, and part community. Within Pathé Tuschinski, “back to the future” is inspired. Outside, you get the human connections that make everything more meaningful!

Tickets for the team? 👫👭

Bring the whole team to SmashingConf and save some of your training budget along the way, too. with our friendly package tickets and equipment discounts, we’ve got your back! If you want to come with a large team, or are interested in something special, please send us a short email And we will get back to you right away!

We can’t wait to see you!

As we prepare for the event, we couldn’t be more excited to meet you in Amsterdam. Let’s boost our design and UX skills together and create memorable experiences that will last a while. 🧡

Ah, maybe you The manager needs a little convincing.? We have your back! Download the PDF Convince your boss to tip the balance in your favor. And we have prepared a “letter to the boss“Template for you too. Good luck! 🤞🤞🏼🤞🏾