Top 23 Upcoming Exhibitions in Germany You Must Attend in 2026-2027

Germany is home to more major trade fairs than any other country. According to AUMA, the German Trade Fair Industry Association, 2 out of every 3 leading international trade fairs, known as Leitmessen, take place in Germany. According to AUMA trade fair statistics in 2025, 304 trade fairs across the country attracted 191,990 exhibiting companies and 12.75 million visitors. Visitor traffic rose 1.9% from the previous year.

The economic impact is substantial. A Prognos Institute survey of more than 33,700 visitors and 17,700 exhibitors across 30 fairs at 10 German venues, commissioned by AUMA and published in January 2026, estimated that German trade fairs generate about €30 billion in annual economic activity. The sector supports at least 280,000 jobs and generates around €5.4 billion in tax revenue.

The 2026 trade fair calendar is already underway. As of September 8, 2026, CARAVAN SALON in Düsseldorf has concluded, while IFA Berlin is currently running from September 4 to 8. The calendar continues with major exhibitions across Germany through the end of 2027.

That volume makes event selection critical. You do not need to exhibit at every major fair. For most companies, 3 or 4 well chosen events will deliver more value than spreading the budget across too many shows.

This guide covers 23 major B2B and B2C trade fairs scheduled for 2026 and 2027. Each entry covers the industry, dates, venue, attendance or exhibitor figures where verified, and the type of audience the event attracts.

Choose the events first. Then plan the stand. Once you know where you need to exhibit, you can decide what size stand you need, how much space to allocate to products and meetings, and which German trade show builder can deliver it.

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Key Takeaways

• Germany hosts roughly 2 out of every 3 of the world’s leading trade fairs, according to AUMA. The country held 304 fairs in 2025, with 320 planned for 2026.
• This guide covers 23 major exhibitions across 6 industry clusters: industrial technology and energy, automotive and transport, building and real estate, food and consumer goods, health and digital business, and media and lifestyle.
• Hannover Messe, IAA Mobility, and Anuga are the key anchor events for companies targeting Germany’s industrial, automotive, and food and beverage markets.
• January through March 2027 is the busiest period on this list. Eleven of the 23 fairs take place during Q1, so exhibitors targeting these dates should secure booth design and logistics well in advance.
• Cologne hosts 4 of the 23 fairs, making it the busiest city on this list. Munich hosts 4 as well, while Hannover and Nuremberg each host 3. Berlin and Düsseldorf each host 2.
• The figures come from official organizer reports and AUMA trade fair statistics. When an organizer provides a projected attendance or exhibitor figure rather than a final count, this guide identifies it as a projection.

How We Selected These 23 Exhibitions

This list is a research compilation, not a field report. We sourced dates, venues, and attendance figures from official fair organizer pages, including Deutsche Messe, Messe Frankfurt, Koelnmesse, Messe München, Messe Düsseldorf, NürnbergMesse, Messe Berlin, Messe Essen, Landesmesse Stuttgart, and Leipziger Messe. We cross checked the broader trade fair data against AUMA, the German Trade Fair Industry Association.

AUMA's figures show the scale of Germany's exhibition market. The country has roughly 70 trade fair venues, with about 20% of Europe's total exhibition space and 7.5% of exhibition space worldwide.

We selected each fair using 3 criteria. The event had to hold recognized Leitmesse status or a strong position in its German market, have a confirmed 2026 or 2027 edition date, and publish attendance or exhibitor data from the organizer or a credible trade press source.

We did not attend these events ourselves. Where an organizer provides a projected figure for an upcoming edition, we label it clearly. For example, Agritechnica 2027's visitor figure is an estimate, not a final attendance count. This distinction matters when you compare events and decide where to spend your exhibition budget.

Industrial Technology, Energy & Engineering

These 4 fairs reflect what Germany does best: engineering, industrial technology, energy infrastructure, warehouse systems, and farm machinery. The buyers are serious, and many arrive with major equipment purchases already on their agenda.

If you sell to industrial B2B buyers, one of these events could be the most important show on your calendar. Once you choose the right fair, plan your freight, customs, and on site logistics well ahead of the event.

1. E-world energy & water: Europe's Leading Energy Transition Fair

Dates: February 16-18, 2027
Venue: Messe Essen
Industry: Energy, water, utilities

E-world attracted 980 exhibitors from 34 countries and around 33,000 visitors from more than 70 countries in 2025.

Utilities, grid operators, and hydrogen and renewable energy suppliers use the fair to meet partners and evaluate new solutions for Germany’s energy transition. For companies selling infrastructure, metering systems, or energy software, the audience includes the procurement teams that influence major purchasing decisions.

The 3 day format keeps the event focused. Essen also sits in a major industrial region, making E-world a practical entry point for companies testing the German energy market before investing in a larger annual presence at Hannover Messe.

2. LogiMAT: Europe's Largest Annual Intralogistics Fair

Dates: March 16-18, 2027
Venue: Landesmesse Stuttgart
Industry: Intralogistics, warehouse automation

LogiMAT 2026 attracted more than 1,600 exhibitors from over 40 countries and 65,719 visitors. The figures make it one of Europe’s largest annual trade fairs for intralogistics and process management.

Unlike transport logistics, which runs every 2 years, LogiMAT takes place every year. That schedule suits suppliers of warehouse automation, conveyor systems, and material handling equipment that need regular access to logistics buyers.

Stuttgart also gives exhibitors access to a strong manufacturing market. Automotive and industrial companies across the region continue to invest in warehouse automation and more efficient material flow, making LogiMAT a practical choice for suppliers targeting these buyers.

3. Hannover Messe: World's Leading Industrial Technology Fair

Dates: April 5-8, 2027
Venue: Deutsche Messe fairground
Industry: Industrial technology, automation, energy

Hannover Messe is the anchor event on this list. Its 2026 edition attracted approximately 4,000 exhibitors and more than 120,000 visitors from over 150 countries.

The fair brings Industry 4.0, industrial automation, hydrogen, and energy transition technology together in one venue. Exhibitors meet procurement leaders and technical decision makers from major manufacturing markets during the same week.

For companies with a limited trade show budget, Hannover Messe is often the strongest German event to prioritize. Plan early. The fair's size creates heavy demand for good hall locations, experienced booth contractors, and reliable on site logistics.

4. Agritechnica: World's Leading Agricultural Machinery Fair

Dates: November 14-20, 2027
Venue: Deutsche Messe fairground
Industry: Agricultural machinery, AgTech

Organizers project more than 2,800 exhibitors and around 500,000 visitors across 400,000 square meters for Agritechnica 2027. The visitor figure is an organizer projection, not a confirmed final count.

Agritechnica is a major global event for agricultural machinery and precision farming technology. Exhibitors bring equipment and technology ranging from autonomous tractors to soil sensing systems.

The fair runs every 2 years. Companies serving farm equipment and the AgTech supply chain should plan around that cycle rather than treat Agritechnica as an annual show.

Book early. Exhibitors from the previous edition often return, so waiting until the event year can limit your choice of stand locations and floor space.

Automotive, Transport & Rail

Four fairs cover the vehicles that move people, freight, and goods, from passenger EVs to freight trucks to rail infrastructure. Together they represent one of the largest concentrations of mobility sector buying power anywhere in the world's trade fair calendar.

5. IAA Transportation: The Definitive Global Commercial Vehicle Fair

Dates: September 15-20, 2026
Venue: Deutsche Messe fairground
Industry: Commercial vehicles, logistics, buses

IAA Transportation has historically attracted more than 250,000 participants and typically hosts around 1,700 exhibitors from over 40 countries.

The fair focuses on trucks, buses, vans, and the wider commercial vehicle supply chain. Fleet software, charging systems, and other technologies for electric commercial fleets also have a strong presence.

Fleet operators, logistics buyers, and component suppliers use IAA Transportation as a major European meeting point. The event runs every 2 years, alternating with IAA Mobility, so exhibitors should plan their booth early. Prime locations near major OEM stands tend to fill quickly.

6. InnoTrans: World's Leading Rail Technology Fair

Dates: September 22-25, 2026
Venue: Messe Berlin
Industry: Rail, public transport technology

InnoTrans's 2024 edition hosted 2,946 exhibitors from 59 countries and attracted 169,214 visitors from 128 countries.

The fair covers railway technology, rail infrastructure, public transportation, interiors, and tunnel construction. Its outdoor track area adds a practical advantage, with full size rail vehicles displayed on 3,500 meters of track.

InnoTrans runs every 2 years in Berlin. The 2026 edition is scheduled for September 22–25, 2026.

Companies serving both rail and road transport should plan their exhibition calendar carefully. InnoTrans and IAA Transportation fall in the same month, which can create tight deadlines for booth production, freight, installation, and staff travel between German cities.

7. transport logistic: World’s Leading Logistics and Supply Chain Fair

Dates: April 26-29, 2027
Venue: Messe München
Industry: Logistics, supply chain, freight

The most recent edition of transport logistic attracted more than 75,000 visitors from over 120 countries and 2,320 exhibitors from 67 countries across 127,000 square meters. It is a major global meeting point for logistics providers, freight forwarders, supply chain software companies, and mobility infrastructure suppliers.

The show covers the wider freight and supply chain market, while LogiMAT focuses more heavily on intralogistics and warehouse operations. Companies selling to 3PLs, ports, freight forwarders, and supply chain teams will find a concentrated audience of senior buyers at transport logistics.

8. IAA Mobility: The World Stage for Passenger Vehicles

Dates: September 7-12, 2027
Venue: Messe München and city center
Industry: Passenger automotive, future mobility

IAA Mobility's most recent edition hosted more than 750 exhibitors and attracted over 500,000 participants from 110 countries. The figure covers visitors to the trade fair halls and public exhibits across Munich's city center.

The event focuses on electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and future mobility. Its mix of industry buyers and public visitors suits automotive brands that need both business exposure and consumer visibility.

Building, Real Estate & Industrial Supply Chain

These 3 fairs cover very different markets, but each brings buyers closer to major investment decisions. Real estate projects, construction systems, and packaging equipment all involve significant spending, so exhibitors need a booth that supports serious business conversations.

Plan the stand early. Popular halls and strong floor positions tend to go first, especially at large German venues.

9. EXPO REAL: Europe’s Leading B2B Real Estate Fair

Dates: October 5-7, 2026
Venue: Messe München
Industry: Real estate, property investment

EXPO REAL's 2025 edition hosted 1,742 exhibitors from 34 countries and attracted 42,000 participants from 70 countries. The fair brings together developers, investors, municipalities, architecture firms, and construction companies involved in major property and infrastructure projects.

This is not a typical product sales show. Exhibitors often use their stands to present development plans, discuss investments, and hold private meetings. A strong layout needs comfortable meeting areas and clear project displays rather than large product demonstrations.

10. BAU Munich: World’s Leading Building Materials Fair

Dates: January 11-15, 2027
Venue: Messe München
Industry: Architecture, building materials, construction

Organizers expect more than 2,200 exhibitors from 58 countries at BAU 2027. Visitor attendance has historically ranged from 180,000 to 250,000. The fair brings architects, contractors, planners, developers, and building product manufacturers together in Munich.

BAU runs every 2 years. Its January timing also matters for planning because exhibitors and contractors often face a compressed schedule after the December holiday period. Secure your stand design and construction contract well before the show.

11. FachPack: Europe’s Key Packaging and Processing Fair

Dates: September 21-23, 2027
Venue: NürnbergMesse
Industry: Packaging

FachPack's 2024 edition hosted 1,455 exhibitors from 44 nations. About 42% came from outside Germany, while the fair attracted around 37,000 trade visitors.

The event focuses on packaging, materials, and processing technology for the German speaking market. That makes it a strong choice for suppliers targeting buyers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

FachPack is smaller than Germany's largest industrial fairs. That can work in your favor if your goal is focused buyer conversations rather than maximum visitor volume.

Food, Beverage & Consumer Goods

These 5 fairs cover food, beverages, home goods, seasonal products, and organic products. Their buyer groups differ, so choosing the right event matters more than simply choosing the largest one.

Plan your booth around how buyers shop at the fair. Product samples, product displays, and private meeting areas each need enough space to work properly.

12. Ambiente: World’s Largest Consumer Goods Trade Fair

Dates: January 29-February 2, 2027
Venue: Messe Frankfurt
Industry: Consumer goods, homeware, tableware

Ambiente's 2026 edition hosted between 2,500 and 4,460 exhibitors, depending on how participating brands were categorized, and attracted more than 134,000 visitors. The fair covers interior design, dining and tableware, and workspace products.

Ambiente runs alongside Christmasworld and Creativeworld at Messe Frankfurt. Companies selling across related home and lifestyle categories can therefore reach several buyer groups during the same trip.

13. Christmasworld: Major Seasonal Decoration Fair

Dates: January 29-February 2, 2027
Venue: Messe Frankfurt
Industry: Seasonal and festive decor

The 2025 edition, held alongside Ambiente and Creativeworld, attracted 4,660 exhibitors from 38 countries and around 148,000 visitors. International visitors accounted for 73% of attendance.

Christmasworld focuses on Christmas products and seasonal decoration. Retail buyers use the event to source products well before the holiday selling season, so exhibitors need to present ranges clearly and make ordering discussions easy.

Because Christmasworld and Ambiente share the same dates and venue, companies with overlapping product categories should compare both exhibitor profiles before choosing where to invest.

14. ISM: World’s Leading Confectionery and Snacks Fair

Dates: January 31-February 3, 2027
Venue: Koelnmesse
Industry: Confectionery, snacks

ISM's 2025 edition hosted more than 1,500 exhibitors from 70 countries and attracted around 32,000 visitors from 135 countries. The fair focuses on confectionery and snack sourcing for retailers, distributors, and private label manufacturers.

The late January dates overlap with Ambiente and Christmasworld in Frankfurt. Companies exhibiting across food and consumer goods therefore need to plan staffing carefully if they intend to cover both cities during the same week.

15. BIOFACH: World’s Leading Organic Products Fair

Dates: February 16-19, 2027
Venue: NürnbergMesse
Industry: Organic food, natural cosmetics

BIOFACH's 2025 edition attracted around 35,000 visitors from 140 countries and hosted approximately 2,300 exhibitors from 94 countries. The fair focuses on certified organic food, beverages, and natural cosmetics.

The audience is more specialized than the broader food buyer base at Anuga. Brands selling certified organic or natural products can therefore target buyers who already understand the category and its certification requirements.

16. Anuga: World’s Largest Food and Beverage Fair

Dates: October 9-13, 2027
Venue: Koelnmesse
Industry: Food and beverage

Anuga's 2023 edition, the most recent edition available at the time of writing, hosted approximately 7,900 exhibitors from 118 countries. It attracted 140,000 trade visitors from 200 countries across 300,000 square meters.

Anuga runs every 2 years and operates at a scale few food fairs can match. Food and beverage brands should plan their participation well ahead of the event, especially if they want a prominent stand location.

The size of the show also affects booth planning. First time exhibitors should allow more time for design, production, shipping, and installation than they would for a smaller event.

Technology, Health & Digital Business

These 2 fairs serve different industries, but each puts new products and technology in front of a specialized audience. The booth needs to match the way visitors interact with the offer.

A digital platform needs space for live demos. Medical technology needs room for technical discussions. Marketing technology needs a setup that supports short product presentations and private meetings.

17. DMEXCO: Europe’s Top Digital Marketing Event

Dates: September 23-24, 2026
Venue: Koelnmesse
Industry: Digital marketing, adtech

DMEXCO's 2025 edition attracted around 40,000 attendees, featured roughly 700 partner companies, and hosted more than 1,000 speakers. The event combines an exhibition with a large conference program focused on digital marketing and advertising technology.

Martech vendors and agencies use DMEXCO to meet CMOs, marketing teams, and potential partners. A booth needs space for live software demos and focused conversations rather than large physical product displays.

18. MEDICA: World’s Largest Medical Technology Fair

Dates: November 16-19, 2026
Venue: Messe Düsseldorf
Industry: Medical technology

MEDICA hosts more than 5,000 exhibitors from 72 nations and attracts between 80,000 and 83,000 visitors from more than 100 nations. The fair covers medical technology, diagnostic imaging, digital health, and related healthcare solutions.

The audience includes international buyers looking for new medical products and technology. Exhibitors also need to account for the rules that govern medical device marketing, technical claims, and product information.

Allow extra time for booth approvals and compliance checks. Rushing these steps close to the show can create avoidable problems.

Media, Leisure & Lifestyle

The final 5 fairs target travel, publishing, toys, boats, and interactive entertainment. Several attract large public crowds, so your booth needs to handle steady foot traffic throughout the event.

Start with the visitor profile before setting your budget. A consumer show with thousands of visitors needs a different layout from a smaller B2B event.

19. boot Düsseldorf: World’s Largest Indoor Boat Show

Dates: January 23-31, 2027
Venue: Messe Düsseldorf
Industry: Boats, watersports

boot Düsseldorf hosts around 1,500 exhibitors from 68 nations and attracts more than 200,000 visitors from over 110 countries. The 9 day event brings industry professionals and consumers together under one roof.

Boat builders and marine equipment suppliers can display products at full scale. The venue also provides indoor water areas for selected product demonstrations.

That setup affects booth planning. Large boats need clear visitor routes. Equipment demos need enough working space and safe access.

20. Spielwarenmesse: World’s Largest Toy Industry Fair

Dates: February 2-6, 2027
Venue: NürnbergMesse
Industry: Toys, games

Spielwarenmesse's 2025 edition hosted 2,362 exhibitors from 71 countries and attracted 57,500 visitors from 126 nations. The fair brings together toy retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and licensing partners.

Retail buyers attend to source products for the coming selling season. Manufacturers launching new products need clear displays and a private area for buyer meetings.

21. ITB Berlin: World’s Largest B2B Travel Fair

Dates: March 16-18, 2027
Venue: Messe Berlin
Industry: Travel, tourism

ITB Berlin's 2026 edition hosted more than 5,800 exhibitors from over 170 countries and attracted around 97,000 trade visitors. Tourism boards, hotels, destinations, and travel technology companies use the event to meet buyers and industry partners.

National and regional tourism boards often exhibit alongside one another. Clear branding matters here. Visitors should understand what you represent within a few seconds, even when similar destinations surround your stand.

22. Leipziger Buchmesse: Major Publishing and Media Fair

Dates: March 18-21, 2027
Venue: Leipziger Messe
Industry: Publishing, media, literature

Leipziger Buchmesse's 2026 edition hosted 2,044 exhibitors from more than 54 countries and attracted 313,000 visitors. Trade visitors accounted for 55,000 of that total.

The fair brings publishers, literary agents, media companies, and readers together. A booth needs to serve business meetings without losing its appeal to the public.

Give staff a clear meeting area. Keep featured books and other displays accessible from the main aisle.

23. gamescom: World’s Largest Video Games Fair

Dates: August 23-29, 2027
Venue: Koelnmesse
Industry: Video games, interactive entertainment

gamescom's 2025 edition hosted 1,568 exhibitors from 72 nations and attracted 357,000 visitors from 128 countries. The event serves the games industry while drawing a very large public audience.

Publishers use the show to launch games, run playable demos, and make major announcements. Your booth needs enough space for demo stations and the queues they create.

Plan visitor flow before construction starts. Give staff clear access behind the demo area, and keep screens and interactive stations visible from the aisle. A booth that looks impressive but cannot handle crowds will struggle once the show opens.

Germany's Top 23 Exhibitions at a Glance (2026-2027)

Planning to exhibit at one of these fairs? Once you choose your events, the next step is planning the stand itself. That means deciding how it will look, how it will be built, and how the team will install it at the venue, whether you have a compact space at FachPack or a larger presence at Hannover Messe.

10x10 Booths works with exhibitors on custom stand design and construction for the German market. If you are planning for 2026 or 2027, start the conversation before you finalize your hall location or booth size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which German trade fair fits a limited budget?

Focus on the number of qualified buyer conversations your budget can generate. Hannover Messe and Anuga offer huge audiences, but larger shows also require more spending on booth space, staffing, and visitor engagement.

A focused event can be a better first step. FachPack, ISM, and BIOFACH attract specialized buyers without the scale of the largest German fairs. Compare the expected buyer profile with your sales targets before committing your budget.

When should I book a booth builder?

Start the process 9 to 12 months before a major fair such as Hannover Messe. Large events involve early space applications, booth design, production, freight, and venue requirements.

Smaller fairs can allow more flexibility. Still, early planning gives you more choice of booth locations and gives your builder enough time to coordinate shipping and installation.

Do I need German speaking staff?

Not always. International fairs such as ITB Berlin, gamescom, and IFA Berlin attract large international audiences, so English often works well for visitor conversations.

A German speaking team member becomes more useful at fairs that focus strongly on the German speaking market. They can handle detailed procurement discussions and communicate more easily with local venue and service teams.

Which fair is best for first time exhibitors?

Choose a fair that matches your product and buyer base. The biggest show is not automatically the best starting point.

A focused event such as ISM or BIOFACH can give first time exhibitors a more manageable introduction to German exhibition logistics. You can learn how freight, booth construction, venue rules, and staffing work before taking on a much larger event such as Anuga or Hannover Messe.

How should I choose between similar fairs?

Compare the buyer profile, event frequency, and scope of each fair. Bigger attendance does not automatically mean better sales prospects.

LogiMAT and transport logistic illustrate the difference. LogiMAT focuses on intralogistics and warehouse operations and runs annually. Transport logistic covers the wider freight and supply chain market and runs every 2 years. Choose the event that matches what you sell and when your sales team needs to meet buyers.

Conclusion

Germany gives exhibitors a large number of trade fairs to choose from. AUMA recorded 304 fairs in 2025 and planned 320 for 2026. The real challenge is narrowing that list to the events that match your buyers, products, and budget.

The 25 fairs in this guide cover major markets across industrial technology, mobility, construction, food and consumer goods, health and digital business, and media and lifestyle. Start with your industry, then compare each event's audience, scale, location, and dates.

Q1 2027 is particularly busy, with 11 of these 25 fairs scheduled between January and March. If several target events fall within that period, start your booth design and logistics planning well before the year begins.

Once your event calendar is set, move on to the practical work. Finalize the booth size, plan the visitor flow, arrange freight, and schedule installation. Then use an exhibition stand design guide to shape the booth around your goals.