Posted by Rachel Westall on 29 January 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.
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.
For deeper insights, the Academy Zone offers practice-oriented 90-minute deep-dive workshops in small groups of up to 40 people. The limited places can be booked for €39 per unit via the ticket shop.
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.
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.
Tickets are now available in the official ticket shop.
Further details about the program and the main topics will be announced continuously via the official channels of h+h cologne until the start of the trade fair.
