London is one of the world’s top cities for exhibitors. It draws brands, buyers, and decision-makers from everywhere. Venues like the Business Design Centre, Olympia, and ExCeL London host big names in fashion, education, publishing, food, and design. 2027 looks set to be a strong year for UK trade shows.
Below is our pick of the ten shows worth planning around, along with what makes each one worth your stand budget and why working with experienced exhibition stand contractors in London can turn a good show into a great one.
1. London Textile Fair 2027
When: 12–13 January 2027
Where: Business Design Centre, London
The London Textile Fair 2027 runs twice a year, in January and July. It’s the UK’s largest dedicated textile trade event. Around 350 international exhibitors take part. They present fashion fabrics, accessories, print design, vintage archives, and garment manufacturing.
The show is known for drawing buyers and designers from major UK high-street retailers. That makes it a key sourcing event in the fashion and textile supply chain. Its twice-yearly schedule also lets exhibitors plan product launches to match seasonal buying cycles.
2. Toy Fair London 2027
When: 19–21 January 2027
Where: Olympia Grand, London
Toy Fair London 2027 is the UK’s largest annual trade show for toys, games, and hobbies. It fills 23,000m² of space at Olympia Grand. More than 200 exhibitors take part. They present thousands of products, from traditional toys and games to electronics.
This is the primary UK trade event in its category. It acts as an annual benchmark for product trends and retail buying decisions. The audience is trade-only: retailers, distributors, and licensing professionals.
3. Bett 2027 London Trade Fair
When: 20–22 January 2027
Where: ExCeL London
Bett 2027 London is a global education technology event. It’s held every year at ExCeL London. The 2027 edition is expected to draw around 37,000 attendees. That includes 14,000 education decision-makers and more than 700 exhibitors from 130 countries.
The event includes over 400 speaker sessions, many of them are CPD-accredited. Topics cover edtech, curriculum design, and digital learning infrastructure. Bett also runs Connect @ Bett, a structured meeting programme. It links exhibitors directly with education-sector decision-makers.
4. London Art Fair 2027
When: 20–24 January 2027
Where: Business Design Centre, London
London Art Fair 2027 is an annual contemporary and modern art event. It has run at the Business Design Centre for over three decades. The 2027 edition features 120+ galleries and more than 1,000 artists. Organisers expect over 24,000 visitors.
The fair is organised into three sections–
- Galleries is the main exhibition area.
- Encounters showcases curated thematic projects.
- Platform is dedicated to emerging artists.
A rotating Museum Partnership also brings institutional exhibitions into the fair each year.
5. Solar Finance & Investment Europe 2027
When: 2–3 February 2027
Where: The Tower Hotel, London
Solar Finance & Investment Europe 2027 is a specialist conference and exhibition. It focuses on financing and investment in the European solar industry. The 2027 edition is expected to attract 400+ attendees, 100+ speakers, and 30+ exhibitors from more than 20 countries.
The event centres on project financing, investment strategy, and regulatory developments in the European solar market. Its format is smaller and more concentrated than consumer-facing trade shows. This reflects its focus on institutional and finance-sector attendees.
6. 100% Optical London 2027
When: 27 February – 1 March 2027
Where: ExCeL London
100% Optical London 2027 is the UK’s leading trade event for eyewear, contact lenses, and optical technology. It’s run in partnership with the Association of Optometrists (AOP). The 2027 show is projected to host 11,000+ professionals and 250+ exhibitors.
The event includes more than 120 hours of CPD-certified seminars. This gives registered optometrists and dispensing opticians a way to meet their professional development requirements while attending. That dual purpose, trade show and accredited education, sets it apart from purely commercial exhibitions.
7. The London Book Fair 2027
When: 16–18 March 2027
Where: ExCeL London
The London Book Fair 2027 is one of the world’s major publishing industry events. It brings together over 34,000 publishing professionals and more than 1,000 exhibiting companies. It’s a key date for rights trading, international distribution deals, and industry networking.
The fair’s programme includes over 100 content seminars. Topics cover digital publishing, translation rights, and market trends. It serves publishers, literary agents, distributors, and technology providers across the global book trade.
8. Retail Technology Show 2027
When: 21–22 April 2027
Where: ExCeL London
Retail Technology Show focuses on innovation across the retail sector. That includes point-of-sale systems, AI-driven retail tools, and supply chain technology. The 2027 edition is expected to draw 15,000+ professionals, 450+ suppliers, and 125+ speakers.
The event brings together established retailers and emerging technology providers. Its programme is built around live product demonstrations and technical sessions, not just static displays. It has grown into one of the UK’s key events for retail technology procurement.
9. IFE 2027
When: 5–7 April 2027
Where: ExCeL London
IFE, the International Food & Drink Event, is one of the largest food and drink trade shows in the UK. It’s expected to draw 25,000+ visitors and 1,500+ exhibitors from 105 countries. The show is organised into 8 dedicated food and drink sections, featuring more than 10,000 products.
Alongside product sourcing, IFE’s programme covers emerging food trends, food technology, nutritional science, and sustainability in the food and beverage supply chain. It draws buyers, retailers, and manufacturers across multiple food and drink categories.
10. BCB London 2027
When: 10–11 May 2027
Where: Tobacco Dock, London
BCB, Bar Convent London edition, is a trade event dedicated to the bar and beverage industry. It’s held at Tobacco Dock. It brings together craft drink and premium spirits brands, both established and emerging, for a two-day trade and tasting event.
The show’s programme includes masterclasses and seminars led by bartenders and mixologists from across the industry. These cover trends in spirits, mixology techniques, and beverage innovation. It works as both a sourcing event and an educational platform for bar and hospitality professionals.
Let Your Brand Be the Centre of Attention in London with Whimsical Exhibits
Booking a spot on the show floor is just step one. What happens inside that space is what actually turns footfall into leads. That’s where the right exhibition stand builders in UK make all the difference.
Whimsical Exhibits is one of the trusted exhibition stand builders in the UK. We bring hands-on experience across retail, food, publishing, and education shows. Our team handles everything in-house: design, 3D visuals, build, installation, and dismantle. We’re one of the exhibition stand contractors in London brands keep coming back to.
Exhibiting at Bett, the London Book Fair, IFE, or anything else on this list? Get in touch with Whimsical Exhibits today, and let’s build a stand that fits your brand, your budget, and your space.
