January is the time when the new year starts to take shape: long- and mid-term projects, holidays, and — naturally — the design fairs to visit in 2026. The most important appointments are the established ones: first and foremost Salone del Mobile.Milano, and for lighting enthusiasts and professionals, Light + Building in Frankfurt, the biennale that alternates with Milan’s Euroluce.
As always, our focus remains on Europe due to its proximity, with a few exciting highlights also found overseas and in the Middle East. We also chose to include a very curated selection of independent design fairs that carry out valuable research, going beyond the mainstream to showcase emerging designers and self-production brands, with an increasingly attentive eye toward sustainability.
A year of design fairs, where to start
2026 opens with IMM Cologne, dedicated to furniture, energizing the German center from January 13–18, 2026. It is followed by Maison&Objet at Paris Villepinte from January 23–27, 2025, while the fall edition is scheduled instead for September 4–13, 2026. On both occasions, showrooms and several central locations in the city will host events, special openings, and exhibitions.
Sustainable design and environmental responsibility are the core themes of Klimahouse, held in Bolzano from January 28–31, 2026; architecture enthusiasts will appreciate the program of talks and guided visits parallel to the fair.
Technical lighting takes center stage at Warsaw Light from January 20–30, 2026, while the latest trends from Northern Europe return at the Stockholm Furniture Fair from February 3–7, 2026.
Light + Building 2026 and Salone del Mobile, spring’s major events
Unmissable for anyone working with light (and equally for those passionate about lamps and lighting equipment), Light + Building returns to Frankfurt from March 8–13, 2026. The numbers are impressive: the latest edition hosted 2,169 exhibitors from around the world and recorded over 150,000 visitors.
Beyond decorative and technical lighting, the event showcases electrical systems, automation technologies, and solutions for improving building efficiency.
Spring arrives with warmer days and brings Salone del Mobile. Milano from April 21–26, 2026, featuring the biennials Eurocucina – FTK and the International Bathroom Exhibition. Meanwhile, Fuorisalone, which activates the city’s districts, will begin on April 20, 2026 (with a few previews expected on the 19th). We’ll soon update you on what’s new at the fair and the most interesting spots around the city.
Design fairs from May to December 2026, United States, Europe, Middle East
The calendar then heads to the United States for ICFF New York from May 17–19, 2026, during which the newMadison Avenue Design District becomes the epicenter of Manhattan’s design scene.
Back to English-speaking territory for Clerkenwell Design Week in London from May 19–21, 2026, followed by a jump to Denmark for the increasingly hyped 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen. Scheduled for June 11–13, 2026, the event activates the Danish capital’s historic center, stores, hidden courtyards, and unconventional venues — all worth exploring.
After the summer break, the season resumes with the new Light Design and Technology Expo in Riyadh from September 6–8, 2026, followed by the London Design Festival across various locations in the British capital from September 19–27, 2026.
Also confirmed are Downtown Design Dubai from September 15–18, 2026, and Design Miami from December 3–8, 2026.
Independent design fairs to save in your agenda: they’ll happen, but dates are TBD
Now established as essential appointments for design lovers, practitioners, and talent scouts looking for new voices, independent design fairs present work that straddles the line between art and functionality.
The season opens with NOMAD in St. Moritz from February 12–16, 2026, high in the Swiss Alps; the summer edition in Capri is also expected to return, although there are no official updates yet.
Dates are also to be confirmed for the Lake Como Design Festival — generally held in September — and EDIT Napoli — typically in October.
