March 2026 Architecture & Interior Design Events You Can’t Miss

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Like February, March occupies a distinctive “in-between” place in the design calendar. January is dominated by major global fairs that set aesthetic and cultural direction for the year. April and May bring markets and travel that are more closely tied to purchasing and client deliverables. March, by contrast, tends to emphasize systems, materials, and technical innovation that underpin successful projects.

This list focuses on March events that provide real, practical value at different stages of architectural and interior design work, whether that is material research, digital coordination, construction detailing, or strategic product sourcing. And if you can’t attend, check each fair’s Instagram or exhibitor updates for inspiration and insight.

Five International March 2026 Architecture & Interior Design Events You Can’t Miss

Light + Building

Where: Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

When: March 8–13, 2026

Light + Building is one of the largest international trade fairs devoted to architectural lighting, building services, and smart technology. Though the fair skipped 2025, its 2024 edition welcomed over 2,000 exhibitors and over 150,000 attendees. As CEO Harald Zygan puts it,

“Light + Building “presents smart solutions to an international audience,” where they have access to “innovation, inspiration, and personal exchange.”

It skews heavily technical, which makes it especially relevant for architects, lighting designers, and interior designers working on projects that depend on precise coordination between lighting, controls, and building systems. To that point, this year’s theme is “Be Electrified – Electrifying Places. Illuminating Spaces.”

The exhibition brings together global manufacturers of decorative lighting, technical luminaires, electrical systems, and building automation. Many brands use the fair to launch new products, particularly in areas like energy efficiency, programmable lighting, and integrated control systems. The scale of the show can be overwhelming, so it helps to arrive with a clear sense of what you want to see, whether that is architectural lighting, control platforms, or smart building infrastructure.

Light + Building also runs a substantial program of talks and forums where industry leaders discuss topics like sustainability, digital integration, and human-centered lighting. For designers who collaborate closely with engineers or lighting consultants, the fair offers a rare chance to compare systems side by side and ask detailed technical questions in person.

The Inspired Home Show (IHS)

Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA

When: March 10–12, 2026

The Inspired Home Show (IHS) is one of North America’s largest trade shows for housewares, kitchen innovation, and home products. While it is broader than a traditional architecture or interior design fair, it has become increasingly relevant to designers working on kitchens, pantries, sculleries, appliance integration, storage systems, and highly detailed residential projects.

The show floor spans multiple halls and features major brands alongside emerging manufacturers across categories such as small appliances, smart home devices, kitchen tools, storage and organization systems, and performance-driven materials. Many exhibitors use IHS to debut new products or technology-forward solutions that later filter into residential design trends, particularly in high-function kitchens and utility spaces.

Because of its scale, we recommend reviewing exhibitors in advance and mapping a targeted route through the halls. You can see which brands are making their debut at the fair in the video above.

Special Events at IHS

In addition to the exhibition, IHS includes a curated slate of networking and industry events that give designers a window into the business side of the home industry. On Monday, March 9, the Celebration of Independents offers an invitation-only reception for independent retailers, providing insight into how smaller, design-forward businesses are adapting within the market. On Tuesday, March 10, the HYPE (Housewares Young Professionals Event) creates a more casual environment for connecting with emerging industry voices, which can be useful for designers interested in where the next generation of product innovation is headed.

Also on March 10, Student Experience Day introduces students to the industry with a guided overview of the Show before they explore the floor. That evening, the gia Gala celebrates the Global Innovation Awards, recognizing excellence in product design, retailing, and student innovation; finalists are displayed throughout the Show. This is an excellent touchpoint for spotting breakthrough products. On Wednesday, March 11, all participants are invited to Networking After Dark, a more informal reception that encourages cross-industry conversation among manufacturers, retailers, and design professionals.

MIPIM

Where: Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France

When: March 10–13, 2026

MIPIM is one of the most influential international gatherings for real estate, architecture, and urban development. It is not an interior design fair, yet it references the kinds of projects, budgets, and priorities that ultimately define architectural and interior work across residential, hospitality, and mixed-use developments. Designers who frequently work with developers and real estate professionals will benefit from networking and information about the latest technologies in this space.

The exhibition floor features large-scale master plans, architectural models, and case studies presented by developers, cities, and design firms from around the world. Walking the halls gives you a clear sense of how projects are framed, financed, and positioned long before interiors are specified or detailed.

The conference program includes panels on topics like sustainable urbanism, housing innovation, adaptive reuse, and the future of commercial real estate. For interior designers working on hospitality or high-end residential projects, MIPIM offers valuable context about how decisions are made at the level of development and investment, not just design. If you can’t make it to France, explore the many geofocused stands and pavilions presented by MIPIM partners all over the world.

Sign up by 19 February to secure the fair’s “early bird” rates.

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digitalBAU

Where: Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany

When: March 24–26, 2026

Again, this show does not focus on interior design (or even specifically on architecture), but it can be incredibly useful for designers interested in networking or learning more about where the construction industry is headed. digitalBAU is a major international trade fair focused on digital tools for architecture, engineering, and construction. The show centers on BIM, collaborative workflows, digital planning platforms, and smart building technologies that affect how projects are coordinated and delivered.

Exhibitors include software developers, construction technology firms, and data platforms that support everything from design visualization to onsite management. Many presentations highlight real project case studies, which makes the technical material easier to relate back to day-to-day practice. This year’s exhibitors include BlueBeam, VeoPlan, AMS, RIB, and more.

digitalBAU is most relevant for interior designers who take on projects that require tight coordination with architects, engineers, or contractors. It is particularly useful for firms investing in more sophisticated documentation, visualization, or specification processes.

Design Edge Florida

Where: Florida, USA

When: March 25–26, 2026

Design Edge Florida is a curated, trade-only showcase for interior designers and architects. This series of events brings together furniture, lighting, kitchen, bath, and fixture brands in a more contained setting than larger markets. Unlike open-to-the-public fairs, Design Edge is organized around professional sourcing and relationship building. Designers can meet directly with manufacturers, see new collections, and compare products in a more focused environment. This format makes it easier to have substantive conversations about lead times, customization options, and technical specifications.

The 2026 show takes place at the Gaylord Palms Resort, with the floor open 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on March 25 and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on March 26, and early access available for ASID and NKBA members on the first morning. Compared with larger markets, the scale is more manageable and the exhibitor list skews toward products designers actually specify in high-end residential work.

Alongside the floor, Design Edge runs a focused program of talks that mix business and practice. Highlights this year include a keynote on pricing with Nikki Levy and Adriana Hoyos, a Florida housing forecast from John Burns Research Firm, and panels on profitability systems and marketing for design firms, including a session on making design videos go viral. An evening reception on March 25 will be where designers, reps, and manufacturers connect in a more relaxed way.

Don’t Forget to Join Us at High Point April 25-29, 2026

Spring High Point Market follows in late April, running April 25–29, 2026 in High Point, North Carolina. As a DesignDash sponsor, High Point Market remains central to our community’s calendar, and to the broader trade, as the largest destination in the U.S. for furnishings, lighting, kitchen, bath, and textiles, with more than 11 million square feet of showroom space open to designers and buyers.

If March tends to emphasize systems, specification, and industry infrastructure, High Point shifts attention back to buying, curation, and full-room product sourcing. Many designers use March to resolve technical questions and gather reference, then arrive in High Point ready to finalize selections, meet with manufacturers, and see how new collections feel in real showroom settings. Plus, their events list is superb and second to none!

Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.