Top trade shows in Dubai in 2026–27

This list covers ten Dubai trade shows from October 2026 to May 2027, ordered by start date, not ranked. The right one depends on what you buy or sell.

A show made the list only if it met all four tests:

1. It is a trade show. The exhibition floor is the main product, where buyers meet suppliers. Summits and conferences are left out.
2. It is listed on atndr with a confirmed 2026–27 edition in Dubai.
3. It is the main annual show for its sector in Dubai, with one show per sector.
4. Its dates and venue are published on the organizer's official site or, where that site could not be opened, on the atndr listing.

A trade show (also called a trade fair or trade exhibition) is an event where companies take stands to show products to industry buyers. Most are closed to the public. For the wider calendar, including summits and conferences, see our guide to business events in Dubai.

1. Beautyworld Dubai 2026

6–8 October 2026 · Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Messe Frankfurt Middle East runs this trade-only beauty fair for cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, hair, nails and beauty packaging. It is for retail buyers, distributors and brand owners. The official site lists visitor passes at USD 75, and entry is limited to visitors aged 18 and over. Conferences on beauty and fragrance run alongside the show floor.

2. WETEX 2026

20–22 October 2026 · DWTC. WETEX is the water, energy, technology and environment exhibition organised by DEWA, Dubai's electricity and water utility. It suits utility engineers, cleantech suppliers and procurement teams. Visitors register through the show's site, which was not reachable for this guide, so check the terms on the atndr listing.

3. Gulfood Manufacturing 2026

3–5 November 2026 · DWTC. This is Gulfood's show for food production: ingredients, processing, packaging and supply chain. It is where food manufacturers source machinery and raw materials. The organizer reports 61,907 industry professionals, 2,500+ exhibitors and 79 countries at its 2025 edition. GulfHost 2026 runs at the same time for hotel and restaurant suppliers.

4. Automechanika Dubai 2026

10–12 November 2026 · Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. Automechanika is the region's automotive aftermarket show, covering parts, accessories, workshop equipment and repair. It suits distributors, workshop owners and fleet operators. After 22 editions at DWTC, the 2026 show moves to Dubai Exhibition Centre, which has its own Metro station. The organizer lists 1,500+ exhibitors and opening hours of 10am to 6pm.

5. Big 5 Global 2026

23–26 November 2026 · DWTC. Big 5 Global, run by dmg events, is the construction industry's main sourcing show in the Middle East. It is for contractors, developers, architects and building-product buyers. Tickets are paid. At the time of writing, the visitor ticket was AED 100 until 15 October, then AED 250, and delegate tickets started at AED 1,750 early bird. Visitors under 21 are not admitted. HVACR World 2026 runs alongside it.

6. GITEX Global 2026

7–11 December 2026 · Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai. GITEX Global is Dubai's largest technology event. The GITEX Summit takes 7 December, and the GITEX Global Expo runs 8–11 December. It suits enterprise IT buyers, government technology teams, startups and investors.

7. Intersec Global 2027

12–14 January 2027 · DWTC. Intersec covers security, fire protection, safety and emergency response. Its buyers include government agencies, facility managers and system integrators. The organizer expects 1,000+ exhibitors and opens 10am to 6pm. It fills most of DWTC's halls and an outdoor display area.

8. World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai 2027

25–28 January 2027 · Dubai Exhibition Centre and DWTC. World Health Expo, formerly Arab Health, is the region's largest healthcare trade show. It covers medical devices, imaging, labs, pharma and hospital services. For 2027 it splits across two venues, so check which hall your sector uses. The organizer cites 4,200+ exhibitors and 90,000+ healthcare professionals from 195+ countries. WHX Tech 2027 runs alongside it at DWTC.

9. Gulfood 2027

15–19 March 2027 · DWTC and Dubai Exhibition Centre. Gulfood is the food and beverage sourcing show: producers and exporters meet importers, distributors, retailers and caterers. The organizer lists 8,500+ exhibitors from 195 countries. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm, with a 5pm close on 19 March.

10. Arabian Travel Market 2027

3–6 May 2027 · DWTC. Arabian Travel Market, run by RX, is the Middle East's travel trade show. Tourism boards, hotels, airlines and travel technology firms meet tour operators and agents. The organizer reports 55,000+ attendees, 2,800+ exhibitors and 57,869 confirmed meetings for its latest edition. It also runs a hosted-buyer programme.

The table sums up the list. Dates are the 2026–27 editions as published; confirm on the organizer's site before you book travel.

November is the busiest month, with three of the ten. Eight of the ten use DWTC for all or part of the show.

These smaller trade shows serve narrower niches. Each is still the main event for its audience.

• Aviation: Airport Show 2026 (12–14 October 2026, DWTC) for airport operators and suppliers.
• Education: GESS Dubai 2026 (10–12 November 2026, DWTC) for school leaders and education suppliers.
• Printing and packaging: Gulf Print & Pack 2027 (12–14 January 2027, DWTC).
• Coffee: World of Coffee Dubai 2027 (26–28 January 2027, DWTC) for roasters, cafés and green-coffee traders.
• Logistics: Breakbulk Middle East 2027 (2–3 February 2027, DWTC) for project cargo and heavy-lift shipping.
• Workplace safety: OS+H Middle East 2027 (24–26 May 2027, DWTC).

The full, always-current list is on the Dubai events page.

Costs vary by organizer, so check each show's ticket page before you plan. There are three common models:

• Free trade registration. Many shows admit industry professionals free if they register online in advance.
• Paid visitor pass. Some shows charge for the floor. Beautyworld Dubai lists USD 75, and Big 5 Global's visitor ticket was AED 100 early bird and AED 250 after 15 October 2026.
• Paid delegate pass. Conference programmes cost more. Big 5 Global's delegate ticket started at AED 1,750 early bird, against AED 2,750 at the full price.

Age limits apply at some shows: 18 and over at Beautyworld Dubai, 21 and over at Big 5 Global. Register before you travel, because on-site registration is slower.

Start with the venue. Dubai's large shows use two venues in different parts of the city: DWTC in central Dubai and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, which has direct Metro access via the Expo 2020 station.

1. Book a hotel near the right venue. In show weeks, rooms near DWTC fill early. If your show is at Expo City, a hotel near DWTC means a long daily transfer.
2. Check split venues. WHX and Gulfood use both venues in 2027. Find your sector's hall on the floor plan before you plan the day.
3. Book meetings before you land. Most shows open a matchmaking app or hosted-buyer programme a few weeks ahead.
4. Check the visa rules. Visit Dubai's visa page lists who gets a visa on arrival and who must apply online.
5. Use co-located shows. One badge often covers several shows in the same week, such as GulfHost and Gulfood Manufacturing on 3–5 November 2026.