Global Drinks Fairs in 2026 Set for Record Crowds, With Vinitaly Expecting Nearly 100,000 Attendees

The global drinks industry is preparing for a busy year in 2026, with a packed schedule of trade shows and events set to take place across Europe and Asia. Organizers are expecting record attendance as the sector’s largest fairs introduce new features, expanded programs, and a focus on emerging trends such as low- and no-alcohol beverages.

In France, Millésime Bio will open the calendar from January 26 to 28 in Montpellier. The event, which last year drew 9,500 trade visitors and 1,500 exhibitors from 16 countries, expects around 10,000 visitors this year. For the first time, exhibitors from the same country or major wine region will be grouped together in one hall. Two new areas will debut: one dedicated to “NoLow&Bio” and another to biodynamic products. The fair is also partnering with tourism professionals to offer organic wine tours throughout southern France.

Barcelona Wine Week follows from February 2 to 4, with more than 26,000 wine professionals expected. The event will feature a new No & Low Alcohol Day in partnership with the Brussels World Competition. Local hospitality venues will participate under the “BWW Likes the City” program, offering curated menus and tastings that highlight Spanish wine culture.

Paris Packaging Week is scheduled for February 5 and 6. Last year’s show saw a record 12,588 visitors and 880 exhibitors. In 2026, organizers will introduce a section focused on refillable and circular packaging solutions, along with an Innovation Awards party on February 4.

Wine Paris takes place from February 9 to 11 and is projected to attract 60,000 visitors from 155 countries. The event will be fully independent of Be Spirits Paris for the first time, with Be Spirits becoming a standalone exhibition within the fair. A new area called Be No Paris will focus on no-alcohol beverages. A guide will help attendees discover local restaurants and alcohol-free shops.

Vinitaly returns to Verona from April 12 to 15 after drawing nearly 100,000 attendees last year. The off-show event Vinitaly and the City sold over 50,000 tasting tickets in its last edition. This year’s highlights include the launch of Xcellent Spirits – Drink&Mix at the mixology venue and further expansion of no/low-alcohol offerings.

Foodex Japan is set for March 10 to 13 in Tokyo. Organizers expect an increase in attendance with about 85,000 visitors and 3,000 exhibitors. The show will feature an expanded sommelier-led wine section called Foodex Wine, as well as new zones for frozen foods, logistics, artificial intelligence applications, and startups.

ProWein Düsseldorf runs from March 15 to 17 with more than 4,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries expected. The event is rebranding as ProWein Düsseldorf under the theme “Shape, Create, Elevate.” New features include a Buyers Concierge Team, immersive festival-style experiences, an improved matchmaking tool called Fair Match with Live Arena, and an Insight-to-Action Framework for smarter networking. The ProWein City Vibes program will start on March 12 with activities such as speed-dating sessions and artistic performances.

ProWine Tokyo takes place April 15 to 17 alongside four other concurrent events that last year attracted over 56,000 visitors. Attendees can expect masterclasses and seminars led by industry leaders.

ProWine Singapore is scheduled for April 21 to 24 with more than 200 exhibitors from over two dozen countries expected. The show will feature expanded international participation and new curated spaces such as the World of Sparkling and Champagne Lounge.

London Wine Fair is set for May 18 to 20 at Olympia London. Last year’s event saw exhibitor numbers rise by ten percent to reach 445 companies. For the first time in its history, the fair will introduce a “Host Nation” focus; Great Britain will be spotlighted in 2026 with more than one hundred British producers participating.

Vinexpo Asia moves to Hong Kong this year from May 26 to 28 after drawing nearly nine thousand professionals at its previous Singapore edition.

London Packaging Week returns September 16 to 17 with more than five thousand visitors expected. New features include a start-up zone where businesses can present innovations and a design agency village.

With these events spread across key cities including Montpellier, Barcelona, Paris, Verona, Tokyo, Düsseldorf, Singapore, London and Hong Kong, industry professionals have many opportunities to connect with peers and discover new trends shaping the future of wine and spirits worldwide. Organizers are responding to changing consumer preferences by expanding offerings related to sustainability and low- or no-alcohol products while also enhancing networking tools and city-wide experiences for attendees.