Here are our recommendations for events and exhibitions to add to your events calendar
While some industries wind down for the autumn and winter, the UK’s events and exhibitions sector ramps up!
London is an exhibition hub all year round of course, but some of the biggest events of the year take place in the city from October to February.
If you’re looking at your exhibition calendar for late 2026-early 2027 and feel like it looks a little sparse, here are our top recommendations for shows to attend in the capital.
Recommended exhibitions for retail, hospitality and food brands
Caffè Culture Show 2026
29 – 30 September, Business Design Centre
Caffè Culture is the UK’s premier B2B trade event for the café and coffee bar market.
Exhibitors and visitors will be able to mingle with key industry stakeholders and decision-makers, hear from an unparalleled line-up of international speakers, and learn about the latest industry trends.
This event is free for visitors to attend, so we’re sure it’ll be a knockout.
If this sounds right up your street but is a tad too early for you, we recommend you check out The London Coffee Festival, which will take place at Olympia, London, in May 2027.
In the meantime, get some inspo from BrewTea on how to make the most of a coffee-based exhibition.
Retail Technology Show
21-22 April 2027, ExCeL London
The Retail Technology Show brings together change-making retailers and leading technology innovators.
Over two days, visitors can expect to mingle with 13,000+ attendees and 400+ exhibitors. And, if you can get a break from your stand, you can listen to one of the 100 expert retail speakers at this event created for the industry by the industry.
Recommended exhibitions for sustainability and smart tech businesses
Smart Buildings Show
14-15 October 2026, ExCeL London
Smart Buildings Show provides businesses with an opportunity to showcase their latest technology for the smart buildings industry.
Almost 100 exhibitors are currently signed up for the event, which will be attended by visitors looking for ways to make their buildings more sustainable, economical, and functional.
“We’ve delivered environmentally mindful, showstopping stands that can be reused while still putting our customer’s product at the heart of the design.”
David Hennessy, Director, Motive Exhibitions
London EV Show
18-19 November 2026, ExCeL London
The London EV show will welcome over 15,000 visitors and 300 exhibitors later this year.
Showcasing the most advanced electric vehicles and the latest mobility solutions, with a focus on cutting-edge technology and eco-friendly transportation solutions, this is the exhibition for you if you have anything to do with the EV space!
Recommended exhibitions for civil and construction businesses
London Build Expo
25-26 November 2026, Olympia London
London Build Expo is the UK’s largest construction show.
This year, you can expect to mingle with 35,000+ attendees and 450+ exhibitors. And, if you can get a break from your stand, you can listen to one of the 700 speakers leading events on 12 CPD stages.
With celebrity guests, entertainment, DJs, networking parties, and live music, this exhibition is as much about fun as it is about business!
Recommended exhibitions for professional services
The Finance Professional Show
6 November, London Olympia
The Finance Professional Show is a single-day event dedicated to the diverse range of funding providers in the regulated, commercial, and specialist financial markets.
Whether you’re a lender, service provider or broker, you’ll be able to interact and engage with some of the leading minds in specialist finance.
Exhibiting in London
From purpose-built exhibition and conference centres to modified and adapted Victorian buildings, the capital has many exhibition venues to choose from – and they’ve all got their quirks.
We’ve rounded up all of our stand builder’s top tips for making the most out of an exhibition in London – regardless of the venue.
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Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
