25 SHOWS & EVENTS Latest from h+h cologne 2026 From March 20th to 22nd 2026, h+h cologne will open its doors and once again set new standards as the leading trade fair for the textile handicraft industry. With an almost sold-out exhibition center, a community-driven professional program, and creative offerings, the leading trade fair is an indispensable event for the industry. In addition to internationally established brands, numerous newcomers, smaller exhibitors, and specialised service providers shape the picture, a mix that offers the industry a multifaceted environment for ordering, exchange, and development. Event areas with a clear structure: knowledge and creativity within easy reach The central event area at h+h cologne 2026 is located in Hall 11.2 and offers trade visitors a concentrated structure that seamlessly combines knowledge transfer, creativity, and networking. The Talk Zone is the hub for the exchange of specialist knowledge. On all three days of the fair, Leonie Koch will moderate a varied program here, ranging from panel discussions and keynotes to interviews and masterclasses, covering topics such as: ‘Innovation & Technology’, ‘Sustainability & Business Strategy’, and ‘Community, Commerce & Customer Experience’. Directly adjacent to this is the Trend Zone, which offers hands-on inspiration. Here, trade visitors can experience the international color trend for 2026 – the Pantone Color of the Year PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer – up close. The curated trends inspire and can even be taken home in the form of material samples. Creative energy literally unfolds in the Creative Zone, which offers free workshops on a first-come, first-served basis without registration. In a relaxed atmosphere, techniques such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, and crafting are taught to promote active engagement within the community. With this concentration of event areas, h+h cologne creates short distances and a trade fair experience that combines efficiency, exchange, and inspiration. “We are making the program more intuitive and seamlessly integrating knowledge transfer into everyday trade fair life,” explains Katrin Schön, Director of h+h cologne. Visible, focused, connected In 2026, exhibitors will benefit from even greater visibility, while trade visitors will benefit from clear themes, compact knowledge, and directly related in-depth information. The Creator Zone in the East Press Center offers parallel workspaces, opportunities to connect, and a perfectly balanced infrastructure for professional content production related to the trade fair. Further details about the program and the main topics will be announced at: www.hh-cologne.com Record attendance at Harrogate Christmas & Gift The year 2026 began on a sparkling high as festive and gift buyers flocked to Harrogate for the UK’s only dedicated Christmas trade show, Harrogate Christmas & Gift. Taking place in early January, the event welcomed a record number of buyers, with attendance up 12 percent on the 2025 show, underlining the continued strength and relevance of the sector’s flagship event. Featuring an impressive line-up of exhibitors – from established industry names to exciting new brands entering the market – the show delivered a vibrant and commercially focused platform for Christmas and gift buying. Across nine packed halls of the Harrogate Convention Centre, visitors discovered an inspiring and diverse showcase of festive and gift products, with many exhibitors reporting exceptionally strong trading. According to the majority of exhibitors, the show attracted an excellent calibre of buyers, alongside a significant number of new customers, with several brands describing 2026 as their best show to date. Show director Simon Anslow commented: "Harrogate Christmas & Gift has grown in popularity year on year for the past decade, but this year was truly exceptional. The halls were buzzing throughout the event, with exhibitors' stands consistently busy and the vast majority reporting an outstandingly successful show." Simon Anslow and the Harrogate Christmas & Gift team would like to thank all exhibitors and visitors for making the 2026 show truly unforgettable and look forward to welcoming everyone back from Sunday 10th to Wednesday 13th January 2027.
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