City guides
Business events in London: what is worth attending in 2026–27
London's 2026–27 business events month by month: WTM, London Tech Week and more, ExCeL vs Olympia, and the UK ETA rules for visitors.
By the atndr teamPublished 8 min read
The short answer
The London business events worth attending in 2026–27 include WTM London (travel, 3–5 November 2026), London Tech Week (7–11 June 2027), Infosecurity Europe (8–10 June 2027), The London Book Fair (16–18 March 2027) and DSEI (defence, 7–10 September 2027). The season peaks from October to early December and again from March to June. Most large shows run at ExCeL London or Olympia London. Many visitors, including Gulf nationals, need a £20 electronic travel authorisation (ETA).
Key takeaways
- London's two peaks are October to early December 2026 and March to June 2027. July and August are quiet.
- June 2027 is technology month: London Tech Week, Infosecurity Europe and The AI Summit London run in the same week.
- Most large shows use ExCeL London (east) or Olympia London (west). Book a hotel near your venue.
- Citizens of all six Gulf states can visit on a UK ETA. It costs £20, lasts 2 years and allows business visits such as conferences.
- Vision Bridge, a new forum on Saudi real estate investment, runs 13–15 April 2027 at ExCeL London.
On this page
- When is the business event season in London?
- Which London business events are worth attending?
- Where are London's main event venues?
- Do you need a visa or an ETA to attend an event in London?
- What should visitors from the Gulf know?
- How do you get the most out of a London business event?
- Frequently asked questions
When is the business event season in London?
London's business event season has two peaks: October to early December, and March to June. Autumn 2026 is the densest stretch on atndr's calendar, with 18 London business events between 4 October and 2 December. After a quieter winter, the spring run starts in February and builds to June, when London Tech Week, Infosecurity Europe and The AI Summit share one week. July and August are quiet, and big shows return in September.
The table lists the upcoming London events on atndr for the 2026–27 season. Confirm dates on each organizer's site before you book.
The full, always-current list is on the London events page.
Which London business events are worth attending?
Pick by industry first, then by format. A trade exhibition is for meeting suppliers and buyers on a show floor; a summit is for the programme and the people in the room. Our guide to conferences, exhibitions and summits explains the difference.
Technology, data and cybersecurity
June is London's technology month. London Tech Week 2027 runs 7–11 June 2027: the expo and content stages are at Olympia London on 7–9 June, with fringe events across the city. The organizer reports more than 31,600 attendees in 2026. Infosecurity Europe 2027 runs 8–10 June 2027 at ExCeL London, and The AI Summit London 2027 runs 9–10 June 2027 at Tobacco Dock in Wapping. Earlier in the year, TechEx Global 2027 (3–4 February, Olympia) and Tech Show London 2027 (10–11 March, ExCeL) cover enterprise IT, cloud and AI. Big Data LDN 2027 closes the season on 22–23 September 2027 at Olympia.
Travel, hospitality and food
World Travel Market London 2026 runs 3–5 November 2026 at ExCeL London. Its organizer, RX, also runs Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Visitor tickets for 2026 start at £79 plus VAT. Hoteliers have the Independent Hotel Show London 2026 (5–6 October, Olympia), and food and drink buyers have IFE 2027 (5–7 April 2027, ExCeL).
Finance and business
FinTech Connect 2026 (1–2 December 2026, ExCeL) covers banking and payments. The Business Show London 2026 (11–12 November 2026, ExCeL) is aimed at small and mid-size businesses and offers free tickets. Solana Breakpoint 2026 brings the Solana blockchain community to Olympia on 15–17 November 2026.
Property, construction and design
London Build 2026 and HOMES UK 2026 cover construction and housing in late November 2026. Energy managers can combine emex 2026 and elementalLONDON 2026 on 25–26 November at ExCeL. Interior designers have Decorex 2026 (11–14 October, Olympia) and the Workspace Design Show London 2027 (24–25 February 2027, Business Design Centre).
Defence, publishing and specialist fields
DSEI UK 2027 runs 7–10 September 2027 at ExCeL London. It is a defence and security exhibition for industry and government delegations. The London Book Fair 2027 (16–18 March 2027, ExCeL) is the publishing industry's rights and trade fair. Clinicians have the Dentistry Show London 2026 and the London Vet Show 2026 (19–20 November 2026).
Where are London's main event venues?
Most large London business events use two venues: ExCeL London in the east and Olympia London in the west. They sit on opposite sides of the city, so pick a hotel near your venue, not in the centre.
| Venue | Area | Getting there | Examples (2026–27) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExCeL London | Royal Victoria Dock, east London (E16) | Custom House (Elizabeth line and DLR) for the West Entrance; Prince Regent (DLR) for the East Entrance | World Travel Market London 2026, Infosecurity Europe 2027, DSEI UK 2027, The London Book Fair 2027 |
| Olympia London | Kensington, west London | Kensington (Olympia) station on the Overground; West Kensington (District line) nearby | London Tech Week 2027, TechEx Global 2027, Big Data LDN 2027, Decorex 2026 |
| Business Design Centre | Islington, north London (N1) | Angel Underground station, about 4 minutes' walk | Workspace Design Show London 2027, Submarine Networks EMEA 2027, CEW Beauty Awards product demonstration (2027) |
| Tobacco Dock | Wapping, east London (E1W) | Check the event's travel page | The AI Summit London 2027 |
ExCeL is large. Its own site puts the walk between the West and East Entrances at about 600 metres, so check which entrance your hall uses. London City Airport is about 15 minutes' walk from ExCeL, according to the venue. Smaller summits use city venues. For example, the FT Global Pharma and Biotech Summit 2026 is at Convene 22 Bishopsgate in the City of London.
Do you need a visa or an ETA to attend an event in London?
Many visitors need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) rather than a visa. An ETA is a digital permission linked to your passport. You apply before you travel, on the UK ETA app or GOV.UK.
- Who needs one. Your nationality decides. The UK government's list of nationalities that can apply includes the EU countries, the United States, Canada and Australia, and all six Gulf states. Nationalities not on the list need to check whether they need a visa instead.
- What it allows. Visits of up to 6 months for tourism, family or a business trip. GOV.UK's business visit page names attending a meeting or conference as a business activity. You cannot work for a UK company on an ETA.
- Cost and timing. An ETA costs £20. Decisions usually arrive by email within a day but can take up to 3 working days. Do not travel until the approval email arrives.
- How long it lasts. 2 years, or until your passport expires if sooner. It covers any number of trips in that time.
- Apply only on GOV.UK or the official app. The government warns that other websites may charge more.
Exhibitors who are building stands or being paid for work should check the business visit rules on GOV.UK before travelling. Working a stand is not always the same as attending.
What should visitors from the Gulf know?
Citizens of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman can all apply for a UK ETA, according to the UK government's list. Each traveller needs their own ETA, including children, and it is tied to the passport used to apply. If you renew your passport, you need a new ETA.
A few London events have a direct Gulf angle in 2026–27:
- Vision Bridge – Saudi Real Estate Forum 2027 is a new forum on investment in Saudi Arabia's real estate sector. Its first edition runs 13–15 April 2027 at ExCeL London.
- World Travel Market London 2026 (3–5 November 2026) is the travel trade's London show. Its sister show, Arabian Travel Market, is held at Dubai World Trade Centre.
- DSEI UK 2027 draws international government delegations to ExCeL in September 2027.
Hotels near ExCeL and Olympia fill up in the big weeks, such as WTM week in November and London Tech Week in June. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.
How do you get the most out of a London business event?
Register early, choose your week, and book meetings before you land.
- Register online before the show. Many London trade exhibitions are free for industry professionals who register in advance. Conferences and summits usually charge for delegate passes. Our guide to free visitor passes explains who qualifies.
- Use co-located shows. Several London events share a venue and dates. On 25–26 November 2026, one ExCeL visit covers construction, energy management and building efficiency.
- Check your entrance and hall. At ExCeL, the right station saves a long walk.
- Book meetings through the event app. Large shows open their meeting tools a few weeks before opening day.
- Follow up the same week. A short note about your conversation helps exhibitors remember you.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the busiest time for business events in London?
- October to early December is the busiest stretch, followed by March to June. On atndr's calendar, 18 London business events fall between 4 October and 2 December 2026. July and August are quiet.
- What is the biggest technology event in London?
- London Tech Week is one of the largest: its organizer reports more than 31,600 attendees in 2026. The 2027 edition runs 7–11 June, with the expo at Olympia London on 7–9 June.
- Do Saudi and UAE citizens need a visa to visit London for a conference?
- No visa is needed for a short business visit, but they do need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). Citizens of all six Gulf states can apply. It costs £20 and lasts 2 years.
- How long does a UK ETA take?
- Most decisions arrive by email within a day, but GOV.UK says it can take up to 3 working days. Apply before booking non-refundable travel, and wait for the approval email.
- Which is closer to central London, ExCeL or Olympia?
- Neither is in the centre. ExCeL is in the Docklands in east London, near London City Airport. Olympia is in Kensington in west London. Choose a hotel near the venue your event uses.
- Are London trade shows free to attend?
- Some are. The Business Show London offers free tickets, while WTM London's 2026 visitor tickets start at £79 plus VAT. Check the ticket link on each atndr listing for the current price.
Sources
- Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) — GOV.UK
- Check if you can get an ETA — GOV.UK
- Visit the UK on a business trip — GOV.UK
- WTM London — official site
- London Tech Week — official site
- Infosecurity Europe — official site
- Vision Bridge – Saudi Real Estate Forum — official site
- ExCeL London — getting here
- Olympia London — getting here
Written and fact-checked by the atndr team. Dates, venues and organizers are checked against each event’s official website; the figures in “At a glance” come live from the atndr calendar. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
