Light + Building 8th – 13th March 2026: the future of lighting, design and building technology in Frankfurt

Light + Building 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for lighting, design and building technology, will take place in Frankfurt am Main from 8 to 13 March 2026, reaffirming its role as a key international event for architects, designers, lighting designers and building professionals. The fair offers a privileged platform to explore the ongoing transformation of contemporary spaces, where technological innovation, sustainability and user experience increasingly converge.

Under the motto “Be Electrified – Electrifying Places. Illuminating Spaces”, Light + Building 2026 highlights the central role of intelligent electrification in shaping efficient, connected and future-oriented buildings. The event programme is structured around three core themes – sustainable transformation, intelligent connectivity and living light – which run through the entire exhibition, from product showcases and forums to special exhibitions and educational initiatives. A strong focus is placed on light as an active design element, capable of influencing well-being, perception and social interaction. This approach is embodied in the special exhibition “The Living Light” (Hall 3.1), curated by Berlin-based lighting design studio Lichtvision Design under the direction of Carla Wilkins. Through four thematic environments – Home, Education, Workplace and Communication – the exhibition demonstrates how lighting shapes orientation, atmosphere and encounters, moving beyond its technical function to become an integral part of everyday life.

International lighting design excellence will be further highlighted by the IALD International Lighting Design Awards. In March 2026, the 43rd awards ceremony will take place in Frankfurt for the first time in collaboration with Light + Building, underlining the fair’s growing cultural and creative dimension and reinforcing its position as a global reference point for architectural lighting design.

At the heart of the design-focused programme is the Design Plaza (Hall 3.1), conceived as a central meeting point for professionals from architecture, design and lighting. The programme includes trend talks for 2026/27, the presentation of the Designplus Awards, Talks by World-Architects (accredited as continuing education for architects), Design Talks by Architonic, as well as initiatives such as Women in Lighting, dedicated to highlighting diverse perspectives within lighting design.

Alongside its cultural and design-driven content, Light + Building 2026 places strong emphasis on building technology and integrated systems for sustainable construction. From artificial intelligence applied to planning and building management, to digital design processes, energy efficiency solutions and smart building technologies, the fair offers a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities shaping the built environment.

With a programme that brings together design, architecture, technology and international networking, Light + Building 2026 confirms its status as an essential event for those shaping the buildings and spaces of the future, positioning itself as a key platform where creative vision and technical innovation meet.