China Trade Fair Calendar 2025-2026: The Complete Schedule for Indian Buyers
Planning your China sourcing trips around trade fair schedules is the most cost-effective strategy for Indian importers. This comprehensive calendar lists every major trade fair in China for 2025 and 2026, organized month by month. Each listing includes the fair name, city, key product categories, and links to our detailed fair guides where available.
Use this calendar to plan your travel, combine multiple fairs into a single trip, and ensure you never miss a critical sourcing event.
How to Use This Calendar
- Plan 6-8 weeks ahead — book flights and hotels well before the fair dates
- Combine nearby fairs — some months have multiple fairs in the same city or region
- Prioritize by industry — if you source a specific product category, attend the specialized fair rather than (or in addition to) the general Canton Fair
- Check our how to attend guide for step-by-step preparation instructions
- Bookmark this page — we update dates as fair organizers confirm schedules
2025 Trade Fair Calendar
January 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CES Asia (Consumer Electronics) | Shanghai | Jan 7-9 | Consumer Electronics | — |
| China (Guangzhou) International Building Decoration Fair | Guangzhou | Jan 14-17 | Building Materials, Interior Design | — |
January is generally a quieter month for trade fairs, with Chinese New Year preparations dominating the business calendar. Avoid planning China trips during the Chinese New Year holiday (late January or February — dates vary annually).
February 2025
Chinese New Year falls on January 29, 2025. Most businesses and trade fairs shut down for 1-2 weeks around this date. Avoid planning China business travel from approximately January 25 to February 10.
March 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIFF Guangzhou Phase 1 | Guangzhou | Mar 18-21 | Home Furniture, Décor | CIFF Guide |
| Intertextile Shanghai (Spring) | Shanghai | Mar 5-7 | Textiles, Fabrics | Intertextile Guide |
| CIFF Guangzhou Phase 2 | Guangzhou | Mar 28-31 | Office Furniture, Materials | CIFF Guide |
| CHIC Shanghai (Fashion) | Shanghai | Mar 12-14 | Fashion, Apparel | — |
| China (Guangzhou) International Tile and Stone Fair | Guangzhou | Mar 18-21 | Tiles, Stone, Ceramics | — |
March is an excellent month for a combined trip: Attend Intertextile in Shanghai (early March), then fly to Guangzhou for CIFF (mid-to-late March).
April 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair Phase 1 | Guangzhou | Apr 15-19 | Electronics, Machinery, Hardware | Canton Fair Guide |
| CMEF Spring | Shanghai | Apr 12-15 | Medical Devices, Healthcare | CMEF Guide |
| HKTDC Electronics Fair (Spring) | Hong Kong | Apr 13-16 | Electronics, Components | HK Electronics Guide |
| Canton Fair Phase 2 | Guangzhou | Apr 23-27 | Consumer Goods, Gifts, Kitchenware | Canton Fair Guide |
| Auto Shanghai | Shanghai | Apr 25 - May 4 | Automotive, Auto Parts | Auto Shanghai Guide |
April is the busiest month for Chinese trade fairs. The Canton Fair alone draws 250,000+ international buyers. If you attend only one fair per year, April’s Canton Fair is the default choice for most Indian importers.
May 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair Phase 3 | Guangzhou | May 1-5 | Textiles, Garments, Medical | Canton Fair Guide |
| China Beauty Expo (CBE) | Shanghai | May 12-14 | Cosmetics, Beauty, Personal Care | CBE Guide |
| China International Kitchen and Bath Expo | Shanghai | May 26-29 | Kitchen, Bathroom Products | — |
June 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou Lighting Fair (GILE) | Guangzhou | Jun 9-12 | Lighting, LED, Smart Lighting | GILE Guide |
| SNEC Solar Expo | Shanghai | Jun 11-13 | Solar, Renewable Energy | SNEC Guide |
| Aquatech China | Shanghai | Jun 11-13 | Water Treatment, Purification | — |
June tip: GILE and SNEC overlap in dates but are in different cities (Guangzhou and Shanghai). If both are relevant, attend one and visit the other’s exhibitors at a different time.
July 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBME Shanghai | Shanghai | Jul 16-18 | Baby, Maternity, Children’s | CBME Guide |
| China International Consumer Electronics Expo | Qingdao | Jul 11-13 | Consumer Electronics | — |
July note: Shanghai is hot and humid in July. Pack light clothing and stay hydrated during fair visits.
August 2025
August is a relatively quiet month for major trade fairs. Many Chinese factories slow down for summer holidays (though not as dramatically as Chinese New Year). Use August for follow-up on contacts made at spring fairs and preparation for the busy autumn season.
September 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIFF Shanghai | Shanghai | Sep 8-11 | Modern Furniture, Design | CIFF Guide |
| CIIF Shanghai | Shanghai | Sep 23-27 | Industrial Machinery, Automation | CIIF Guide |
| Intertextile Shanghai (Autumn) | Shanghai | Sep 25-27 | Textiles, Fabrics, Accessories | Intertextile Guide |
September is Shanghai month. Three major fairs run in Shanghai, making it an excellent time for a combined trip. Attend CIFF (early Sep), then stay for CIIF and Intertextile (late Sep).
October 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair Phase 1 (Autumn) | Guangzhou | Oct 15-19 | Electronics, Machinery | Canton Fair Guide |
| China Toy Expo | Shanghai | Oct 15-17 | Toys, Games, Children’s Products | Toy Expo Guide |
| HKTDC Electronics Fair (Autumn) | Hong Kong | Oct 13-16 | Electronics, Components | HK Electronics Guide |
| Yiwu Fair | Yiwu | Oct 21-25 | Small Commodities, Gifts | Yiwu Fair Guide |
| Canton Fair Phase 2 (Autumn) | Guangzhou | Oct 23-27 | Consumer Goods, Home Décor | Canton Fair Guide |
| CMEF Autumn | Shenzhen | Oct 28-31 | Medical Equipment | CMEF Guide |
October is the second peak month, rivalling April in intensity. The autumn Canton Fair, Yiwu Fair, HK Electronics Fair, and China Toy Expo all cluster together. Many experienced Indian buyers plan a 2-3 week trip covering Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Yiwu in sequence.
Suggested October itinerary:
- Oct 13-16: HK Electronics Fair in Hong Kong
- Oct 17: Travel to Guangzhou
- Oct 18-19: Canton Fair Phase 1
- Oct 21-22: Travel to Yiwu, attend Yiwu Fair
- Oct 23-27: Return to Guangzhou for Canton Fair Phase 2
November 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair Phase 3 (Autumn) | Guangzhou | Nov 1-5 | Textiles, Garments, Office Supplies | Canton Fair Guide |
| CIIE Shanghai | Shanghai | Nov 5-10 | Imports into China (all categories) | CIIE Guide |
| bauma China | Shanghai | Nov 25-28 | Construction Machinery | bauma China Guide |
November note: The CIIE is unique — it is for selling INTO China, not buying from China. Indian exporters should prioritize the CIIE. bauma China is biennial (2025, 2027).
December 2025
| Fair | City | Dates | Industry | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automechanika Shanghai | Shanghai | Dec 3-6 | Auto Parts, Repair, Maintenance | — |
| China International Furniture Expo (Dongguan) | Dongguan | Dec 15-18 | Furniture, Home Décor | — |
2026 Trade Fair Calendar (Preliminary)
Dates for 2026 are preliminary and subject to confirmation by fair organizers. We update this calendar as official dates are announced.
Key 2026 Dates (Estimated)
| Month | Fair | City | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | CIFF Guangzhou (Phase 1 & 2) | Guangzhou | CIFF Guide |
| March | Intertextile Shanghai (Spring) | Shanghai | Intertextile Guide |
| April | Canton Fair (Spring — Phases 1, 2, 3) | Guangzhou | Canton Fair Guide |
| April | CMEF Spring | Shanghai/Rotating | CMEF Guide |
| April | HKTDC Electronics Fair (Spring) | Hong Kong | HK Electronics Guide |
| April | Auto Beijing (even year) | Beijing | — |
| May | China Beauty Expo (CBE) | Shanghai | CBE Guide |
| June | Guangzhou Lighting Fair (GILE) | Guangzhou | GILE Guide |
| June | SNEC Solar Expo | Shanghai | SNEC Guide |
| July | CBME Shanghai | Shanghai | CBME Guide |
| September | CIFF Shanghai | Shanghai | CIFF Guide |
| September | CIIF Shanghai | Shanghai | CIIF Guide |
| September | Intertextile Shanghai (Autumn) | Shanghai | Intertextile Guide |
| October | Canton Fair (Autumn — Phases 1, 2, 3) | Guangzhou | Canton Fair Guide |
| October | Yiwu Fair | Yiwu | Yiwu Fair Guide |
| October | China Toy Expo | Shanghai | Toy Expo Guide |
| October | HKTDC Electronics Fair (Autumn) | Hong Kong | HK Electronics Guide |
| October | CMEF Autumn | Rotating | CMEF Guide |
| November | CIIE Shanghai | Shanghai | CIIE Guide |
Note: bauma China is biennial (odd years only) — the next edition after 2025 will be in November 2027.
Planning Tips for Indian Buyers
Best Months for First-Time Visitors
- April — Canton Fair Phase 1 or Phase 2 in Guangzhou. The weather is pleasant, the fair is the world’s largest, and Guangzhou has excellent infrastructure for international visitors.
- October — If you cannot travel in April, the autumn Canton Fair season (October-November) offers the same opportunities.
How to Combine Fairs
The most cost-effective approach is combining 2-3 fairs in a single trip:
Spring Trip (March-April):
- Intertextile (early March, Shanghai) + CIFF (mid-March, Guangzhou) + Canton Fair (mid-April, Guangzhou)
Summer Trip (June-July):
- SNEC Solar or GILE Lighting (June) + CBME (July, Shanghai)
Autumn Trip (October-November):
- HK Electronics (mid-Oct, Hong Kong) + Canton Fair (mid-Oct, Guangzhou) + Yiwu Fair (late Oct, Yiwu)
Visa Planning
If you plan to attend multiple fairs across the year, apply for a multi-entry business visa (6-month or 12-month validity). This saves repeated visa applications and fees. See our how to attend guide for detailed visa instructions.
Budget Planning
A typical 7-day trade fair trip from India costs INR 55,000-150,000 depending on city, hotel tier, and personal spending habits. Factor in sample costs (INR 5,000-20,000) for products you want to test back home.
Stay Updated
Trade fair dates occasionally shift due to venue conflicts, government decisions, or external factors. Always verify dates on the official fair website before booking non-refundable travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which single fair is the best for Indian buyers?
The Canton Fair in Guangzhou is the single most valuable fair for the majority of Indian buyers, covering virtually all product categories across its three phases.
Can I attend trade fairs in both Hong Kong and mainland China in one trip?
Yes. Hong Kong and Guangzhou are extremely close (2 hours by train). Many buyers attend the HK Electronics Fair and then cross to Guangzhou for the Canton Fair. Note that you need a separate Chinese visa for mainland China — Hong Kong entry for Indians is visa-free for 14 days.
Are there trade fairs specifically for Indian buyers?
While no Chinese fair is exclusively for Indian buyers, the Canton Fair and Yiwu Fair both have significant Indian buyer communities. Some fair organizers (like Canton Fair) organize India-specific buyer delegations through the Indian embassy and trade associations.
How far in advance should I book flights?
Book 6-8 weeks before the fair for the best combination of price and availability. For the Canton Fair in April/October, book as early as possible — flight prices to Guangzhou spike dramatically during fair season.
What if a fair I want to attend overlaps with another?
Check this calendar for date conflicts. When two fairs overlap (e.g., Canton Fair Phase 1 and China Toy Expo in October), prioritize based on your primary product category. You may be able to attend the first 1-2 days of one fair and then travel to the other.
Sources
- Canton Fair Official Website — https://www.cantonfair.org.cn
- China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) — http://en.ccpit.org
- Messe Frankfurt China Fair Calendar — https://www.messefrankfurt.com
- HKTDC Fair Calendar — https://www.hktdc.com
- India Trade Promotion Organisation — https://www.indiatradefair.com