Light + Building 2026 all set to revolutionise the lighting and building service industry
Light + Building 2026 will showcase innovations in energy-efficient buildings, smart connectivity, and modern lighting with around 2,000 exhibitors from around the world.”
Light + Building, the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building service technology, will be held in Frankfurt from 8 to 13 March 2026, showcasing developments in electrification, digitalisation and energy efficiency that are shaping global investment decisions and driving new projects. Around 2,000 exhibitors will present solutions for energy-efficient buildings, intelligent connectivity and modern lighting concepts, with international business, strategic partnerships and specific project plans central to many companies’ participation.
With 75% of exhibitors coming from outside Germany, Light + Building is firmly established in the international market. Companies from China, Italy, Turkey, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Austria, and the United Kingdom are well-represented alongside Germany. Approximately 60% of exhibitors work in the lighting industry, and 40% concentrate on connected building services technology, which reflects the increasing integration of digitalization, energy, and security with a focus on building efficiency customized to specific consumption needs.
“Light + Building 2026 is a realistic reflection of the market, with all its challenges and technological strengths. The fact that around 2,000 exhibitors have made a conscious decision to exhibit in Frankfurt sends a strong signal. In a phase of profound transformation, orientation becomes a decisive added value. Light + Building enables comparability, facilitates dialogue and provides a sound basis for decision-making.” says Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Messe Frankfurt.
“Be Electrified – Electrifying Places. Illuminating Spaces” is Light + Building 2026’s motto. This led to the development of three major topics in collaboration with partners, exhibitors, and industry leaders. They serve as the conceptual framework for the top trade show and represent the challenges that are currently and will continue to drive the industry. “Sustainable Transformation” refers to the decarbonisation, electrification, and sustainable upgrading of existing structures. “Smart Connectivity” emphasises the intelligent networking of data, transactions, and systems as the foundation for control and efficiency. “Living Light” emphasises the importance of light quality as a crucial element of urban areas, workplaces, and architecture. The event program’s general framework is provided by the top three themes
From the industry’s perspective, electrification and digital integration are decisive levers for Germany’s industrial competitiveness. “The energy and building transition can be a major engine for growth. Electrifying, digitalising, connecting and automating – these megatrends contain enormous efficiency potential for the building sector. The technologies are already in place. The companies of the German electrical and digital industry offer a wide range of innovative applications and solutions. For these to be deployed on a broad scale, companies and property owners alike need planning and investment security as well as competitive electricity prices.” says Wolfgang Weber, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), German Electro and Digital Industry Association (ZVEI).
The ZVEI Technology Forum is the key platform for this debate, which will be opened on 8th March 2026 at 9:30 am by the Hessian Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas, Kaweh Mansoori, together with Wolfgang Marzin. ZVEI will provide a forum for professional interaction between business, skilled trades, planners, and legislators during the six days of the exhibition.
The ongoing change presents significant economic potential for the electrical trades as well. Alexander Neuhäuser, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Federation of the German Electrical and Information Technology Installation Trades (ZVEH), states, “The energy transition is an economic opportunity. Electrical engineering is a central field of action within the energy transition. With building systems integration and energy management, we are facing major tasks. We are driving digital networking forward and demonstrating concrete applications for artificial intelligence, process digitalisation and data spaces as infrastructure building blocks of the future. The sector must pick up speed. This applies to the refurbishment of infrastructure as well as to the modernisation of our processes.” The technological transformation can be experienced directly in the ZVEH E-House.
From photovoltaics and heat pumbs to intelligent control systems working together the walk-in model presents integrated building technology. The ZVEH hot-air balloon will set a highly visible sign on the Agora for the electrical trades as key drivers of the energy transition and as a stabilizing factor in the transformation process.
The Living Light – light as a living part of everyday life
Light + Building 2026 commemorates a world premiere with “The Living Light.” The subject of how light shapes living environments and improves the quality of experience is the focus of a special exhibition in Hall 3.1 for the first time. Under the guidance of Carla Wilkins, the Berlin-based lighting design firm Lichtvision Design created the concept. Light will be shown to promote orientation, enhance productivity, and create environment in four areas: “Home,” “Education,” “Workplace,” and “Communication.” Visitors can directly experience the impact thanks to interactive features and carefully chosen lighting effects. Every day at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., guided tours are offered.
Design inspiration
The World Design Capital 2026 is Frankfurt Rhein Main. Messe Frabkfurt as a company with strong roots in the city and international appeal is participating in chosen projects during the festival year, for example in the immersive 270° production “Frankfurt: City of WOW!”. Design also plays a central role at Light + Building. The Design Plaza in Hall 3.1 facilitates professional interchange within the global business community by providing a carefully curated arena for lectures and discussions on contemporary subjects such as architecture, lighting, and building services technology. The trade show notably highlights young talent in the lighting industry with its “Young Design” style. Designers just starting out in their careers showcase creative luminaires in the Young Design section of Hall 3.1. Unique artefacts that highlight the diversity and future of design are shown in an inspiring setting.