Introduction
Welcome to your essential Trade Fair Calendar Q1 2026. As the new year kicks off, the global sourcing circuit is already heating up with massive events in Las Vegas, Frankfurt, and Dubai.
In global trade, Q1 is not just the start of a new calendar year; it is the season of discovery. It is when the prototypes of last year become the purchase orders of this year. For traders, buyers, and sourcing professionals, the first three months of 2026 are packed with “must-attend” events that set the tone for the next 12 months.
From the neon-lit tech halls of Las Vegas to the spice-scented corridors of Dubai, this calendar is your roadmap for Q1 2026. Whether you are sourcing next-gen electronics, organic foods, or sustainable textiles, here is where you need to be.
Trade Fair Calendar Q1 2026: January Events
January is traditionally the busiest month, acting as the global launchpad for innovation.
- CES 2026 (Consumer Electronics Show)
- Dates: January 6 – 9, 2026
- Location: Las Vegas, USA
- Focus: The undisputed king of tech. Expect AI infrastructure to move from “experimental” to “essential,” along with breakthroughs in robotics and smart home tech.
- Why Go: To see what your customers will be asking for in Q4 2026.
- Heimtextil 2026
- Dates: January 13 – 16, 2026
- Location: Frankfurt, Germany
- Focus: The world’s biggest trade fair for home and contract textiles.
- Why Go: Sourcing sustainable fabrics and catching the “Earth-tone” color trends dominating 2026 interior design.
- Gulfood 2026
- Dates: January 26 – 30, 2026
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Focus: The world’s largest annual food and beverage sourcing event. This year, the focus is heavily on “Food Security” and “Agri-Tech.”
- Why Go: To connect with suppliers from over 120 countries in one hub.
February 2026: Consumer Goods & Green Choices
February shifts the focus from raw tech to lifestyle, consumer goods, and the booming organic sector.
- Ambiente 2026
- Dates: February 6 – 10, 2026
- Location: Frankfurt, Germany
- Focus: The leading international trade fair for consumer goods—Dining, Living, and Giving.
- Why Go: It’s the primary sourcing ground for high-volume retail buyers looking for Christmas 2026 stock.
- BIOFACH 2026
- Dates: February 10 – 13, 2026
- Location: Nuremberg, Germany
- Focus: The world’s leading trade fair for organic food.
- Why Go: With the “Clean Label” movement growing in Asia and Europe, this is where you find certified organic suppliers.
March 2026: The Connectivity Finale
March rounds off the quarter with a massive focus on mobile technology and global connectivity.
- MWC Barcelona 2026 (Mobile World Congress)
- Dates: March 2 – 5, 2026
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Focus: 6G discussions, IoT (Internet of Things) industrial applications, and the newest smartphone hardware.
- Why Go: Essential for anyone in electronics sourcing or digital services.
Conclusion: Plan Early, Source Better
The trade show floor is where emails turn into handshakes (or elbow bumps) and where digital catalogs become physical samples. If you are planning to attend any of these, ensure your visas and accommodation are booked now—prices in Frankfurt and Dubai peak weeks in advance.
Stay tuned to our blog for our “Post-Show Reports” where we will break down the key trends spotted at each of these events.