The 2026 calendar is defined by condensed efficiency. Most major European events have aligned their dates to create a seamless “buying corridor” from January through March, allowing retailers to cover the entire market—from volume basics to high-end luxury—without the gaps of previous years.
Below is the definitive list of the 20 most critical events for the year, prioritizing the European heavyweights that drive global trends.
The “Big Three”: Strategic Pillars
These are the non-negotiable events that anchor the global footwear economy.
1. MICAM Milano
www.micam.it
Date: February 22–24, 2026
Location: Fiera Milano Rho, Italy The world’s most important footwear fair. For 2026, MICAM has solidified its position at the end of February, allowing it to capture the final and most significant budget decisions of the season. It hosts over 1,500 brands and remains the only venue where global volume and luxury coexist.
2. Lineapelle
www.lineapelle-fair.it
Date: February 11–13, 2026
Location: Fiera Milano Rho, Italy Held two weeks before MICAM, this is where the supply chain begins. It is the premier sourcing event for leathers, synthetics, and components. If you are a designer or brand manager, this is where you decide your materials for Spring/Summer 2027.
3. Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags
exporivaschuh.it
Date: January 10–13, 2026 (Currently Active) / June 13–16, 2026
Location: Riva del Garda, Italy The first mover of the year. This fair controls the high-volume market. Major chains (Walmart, Deichmann, etc.) use this event to write their largest orders for unbranded and private-label production.
Fashion & Trend Leadership (European)
Where brand positioning, aesthetics, and the “Total Look” are decided.
4. White Milano
www.whiteshow.com
Date: February 26 – March 1, 2026
Location: Tortona Fashion District, Milan, Italy Taking place during Milan Fashion Week, White is the premier venue for contemporary fashion. It is the essential alternative to the big halls of MICAM for buyers seeking niche, avant-garde, and high-trend footwear brands that sit alongside apparel.
5. Premiere Classe
whosnext.com/events/premiere-classe
Date: March 6–9, 2026
Location: Jardin des Tuileries, Paris, France The crown jewel of accessory trade shows. Held in a tent in the Tuileries Garden during Paris Fashion Week, it attracts the world’s top luxury buyers. This is the mandatory stop for high-end designer footwear and accessories.
6. Shoes Düsseldorf (FASHN ROOMS)
shoes-duesseldorf.com
Date: February 21–23, 2026
Location: Areal Böhler, Düsseldorf, Germany The efficiency engine for Northern Europe. Successfully rebranded from the old GDS days, this event offers a premium, showroom-style atmosphere. It is the critical hub for the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), focusing on commercial fashion and comfort.
7. Who’s Next
whosnext.com
Date: January 17–19, 2026
Location: Porte de Versailles, Paris, France The leading fashion trade show in France. While primarily ready-to-wear, its footwear section is massive for the “lifestyle” market—sneakers, boots, and casual shoes that sell in clothing boutiques rather than shoe stores.
8. MOMAD
www.ifema.es/momad
Date: February 5–7, 2026
Location: IFEMA Madrid, Spain The gateway to the Iberian market. MOMAD highlights the “Made in Spain” quality, particularly in leather and summer footwear (espadrilles, wedges). It is essential for buyers looking for quality leather goods at competitive price points.
9. Pure London x Spring Fair
www.purelondon.com
Date: February 1–4, 2026
Location: NEC Birmingham, UK The UK’s largest festival of fashion. With the British retail market rebounding, this is the primary entry point for brands targeting UK high streets and department stores.
10. CIFF (Copenhagen International Fashion Fair)
ciff.dk
Date: January 27–29, 2026
Location: Bella Center, Copenhagen, Denmark The home of Scandinavian cool. CIFF has grown into the single most important event for Northern European style. It is the global leader in sustainable and minimalist footwear trends.
Technical & Specialized Sectors (European)
Innovation, components, and performance.
11. ILM Offenbach
www.ilm-offenbach.de
Date: February 7–9, 2026
Location: Messe Offenbach, Germany The world’s most significant fair for leather goods, bags, and luggage. It is increasingly vital for footwear brands that offer matching accessories and is the industry standard for quality leather sourcing.
12. Futurmoda
www.futurmoda.es
Date: March 11–12, 2026
Location: Elche, Spain The technical laboratory of the industry. Located in Spain’s shoe manufacturing heartland, this is where designers go to find the soles, heels, ornaments, and machinery that will build next year’s shoes.
13. Intershoes Portugal
www.intertexshoes.com
Date: May 19–21, 2026
Location: Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal The definitive platform for the Portuguese footwear cluster. It showcases the agility and high quality of “Made in Portugal” manufacturing, ideal for premium private label projects.
14. Barefoot European Shoe Fair
www.messe-offenbach.de/en/barefoot-visitors
Date: June 26–28, 2026
Location: Messe Offenbach, Germany A rapidly exploding niche event. As consumer interest in “natural movement” and foot health grows, this fair has doubled in size, connecting minimalist shoe brands with specialized retailers and health professionals.
15. KABO
www.bvv.cz/styl-kabo
Date: February 20–22, 2026
Location: Brno, Czech Republic The central hub for Central Europe (Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary). KABO is a heritage fair that connects historic manufacturing capabilities with modern retail distribution in the region.
The Global Connectors
The essential non-European events for global scale.
16. APLF (Asia Pacific Leather Fair)
www.aplf.com
Date: March 12–14, 2026
Location: Hong Kong The world’s most important leather sourcing event for the Asian supply chain. For European brands manufacturing in Asia, this is where material prices and availability are determined.
17. MAGIC Las Vegas
www.magicfashionevents.com
Date: February 17–19, 2026
Location: Las Vegas, USA The volume gateway to the USA. While huge, it is the single most efficient way for European brands to access the North American market. The SOURCING at MAGIC hall is also a key alternative to find global manufacturers.
18. Canton Fair (Phase 3)
cief.cantonfair.org.cn
Date: May 1–5, 2026
Location: Guangzhou, China The “Factory of the World.” Phase 3 is dedicated to footwear and serves as the benchmark for global mass-market pricing. It is essential for understanding the baseline cost of production globally.
19. Atlanta Shoe Market
atlantashoemarket.com
Date: February 14–16, 2026
Location: Atlanta, USA The busiest working show in the US. Unlike the marketing-heavy MAGIC, Atlanta is where independent retailers write 70% of their orders. It is critical for “work,” “western,” and “comfort” categories.
20. Tranoï Men
www.tranoi.com
Date: January 16–18, 2026
Location: Paris, France The avant-garde partner to Fashion Week. Tranoï is where the “next big thing” in high-concept footwear is discovered. It serves as the breeding ground for trends that will hit the mainstream (MICAM) two years later.
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