Header: Blake Wheeler
The design and lighting industries are getting ready for a busy 2025 with a wide range of events already planned out around the world. From large trade shows to small conferences, these events have in common that they explore new technologies, sustainability, and creative approaches while offering plenty of networking opportunities for professionals, students, and businesses alike.
Highlights include the return of Euroluce in Milan, the IALD Enlighten Conference Series in Tucson and Valencia, and the famous Bangkok Design Week. Still, other events, such as LEDucation in New York and Design Shanghai in China, should be put on your calendars as well. Whether you’re interested in lighting advancements or how design approaches global challenges, there’s something for everyone this year: here’s D5’s list of the lighting design events you definitely can’t miss in 2025.
1. Euroluce
When? April 8-13, 2025
Where? Milan, Italy
Euroluce is set to run alongside Salone del Mobile, a famous interior and furniture design event, from the 8th to the 13th of April in Milan, Italy. The lighting event was first held in 1976 and hasn’t been seen in Milan for a while, so the organizers are happy to see that its prestige hasn’t died out: more than 300 exhibitors from the international lighting industry are set to make an appearance. Visitors will be able to admire products across indoor, outdoor, industrial, theatrical, and specialized lighting sectors, plus explore themes such as sustainability, technology, and the role of light in human well-being. Several discussions will address the intersection of lighting design with technology and design culture, highlighting how it can impact people’s experiences.
This year brings a novelty: the first edition of the Euroluce International Lighting Forum, which is scheduled for the 10th and 11th of April. Here, industry leaders like Robert Wilson, DRIFT, A.J. Weissbard, Marjan van Aubel, and Kaoru Mende will share their opinions and expertise on the relationship between light, architecture, and well-being. Future editions are expected to expand on the current themes that are influencing the industry, such as sustainability and technology, addressing emerging trends and challenges in lighting design as they appear.
2. LEDucation
When? March 18–19, 2025
Where? New York City, USA
LEDucation is an event organized by the Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) and is scheduled to take place on March 18th and 19th in New York City, USA. This annual event is a key platform for professionals from all over the world, as it gives them an opportunity to show off their work and learn about the new technologies and trends that are shaping the industry—imagine the networking opportunities! This is a non-profit event, so all proceeds will be reverted to support local and national lighting programs, including scholarships for students at Parsons, NYSID, and FIT, along with donations to the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education.
This year, visitors will be able to enjoy a range of new workshops, curated exhibitions, and interactive sessions focused on advancements in lighting design and technology. Designers and innovators will have dedicated showrooms to present their works, creating great networking opportunities and industry-specific discussions. As in previous years, the organizers will also give awards to those who achieved innovation and excellence in lighting design, a central event component.
3. Lightfair
When? May 4–8, 2025
Where? Las Vegas, USA
LightFair, North America’s largest event for the lighting industry, will take place from the 4th to the 8th of May in Las Vegas, USA. Organised by Messe Frankfurt and co-owned by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), this biennial trade show and conference is one of those events that professionals just can’t miss due to its importance in the industry. Here, professionals in commercial and architectural lighting are given the perfect chance to network, learn, and showcase innovations, creating the visions and partnerships that will one day influence the industry.
This year introduces several novelties, including immersive lighting installations themed around biophilic spaces—if you’ve read our article about trends influencing design, then you know how big this is—curated by IALD designers in collaboration with manufacturers and judged by a panel from IALD. The Outdoor Exchange Pavilion will focus on innovative outdoor lighting solutions for aesthetic and functional applications, and the LightFair Innovation Awards will recognize advancements in research, products, and technologies. There will also be daily presentations by trend experts that will explore the social influences that are currently shaping lighting design, offering insights into what the future of the industry could look like.
4. ArchLIGHT Summit
When? September 16–17, 2025
Where? Dallas, USA
The ArchLIGHT Summit is an annual event in its fifth year that will return to Dallas, in the USA, on September 16th and 17th. As a platform for lighting designers, architects, interior designers, specifiers, and students to explore new products, attend accredited seminars, and engage in interactive experiences, this event had to be on our little list. Inclusion and innovation are central to ArchLIGHT’s program, with conferences focusing on business strategies, collaboration, lighting deep dives, and sustainability pushing these forward.
In this year’s event, visitors will be able to visit the Light Bites stage for CEU-accredited sessions and demonstrations, along with networking events like the Women in Lighting + Design gathering and the Showroom Spectacular tours. The agenda also includes student-focused programming, on-floor education, and sponsored social events. Furthermore, exhibitors can connect with other industry professionals through turnkey booth packages and curated sponsorship options.
5. IALD Enlighten Conference Series
When? October 9–11, 2025
Where? Tucson, USA & Valencia, Spain
This year’s IALD Enlighten Conference Series will take place in Tucson, USA, from October 9th to the 11th and in Valencia, Spain, from June 26th to the 27th. This unique event is divided around the world, as the series includes the Americas, Europe, and Asia. However, there is no information yet regarding the Asia version. Organized by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), these events are designed exclusively for lighting design professionals, and attendance is capped at under 500 participants per event. Visitors will be able to attend conferences that focus on creating in-depth discussions and exploring key issues in architectural lighting design, making this a prime education and networking platform.
This year’s conferences will feature curated workshops, keynote presentations, and panel discussions led by industry leaders. The Tucson event, themed “Star Light, Star Bright”, will highlight innovative approaches to lighting under the desert sky, while the Valencia event, titled “Ver La Luz“, will focus on European design methodologies and emerging technologies.
6. Design Shanghai
When? June 4-7, 2025
Where? Shanghai, China
Design Shanghai is set to take place from the 4th of June to the 7th at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre in Shanghai, China. Organized by Clarion Events, the event normally focuses on the intersection of Eastern and Western design philosophies, showcasing innovations in furniture, lighting, materials, and lifestyle design. With over 600 design pieces from more than 30 countries, the event is considered by most to be an important platform for cultural exchange, industry development, and networking, as it attracts a wide audience of professionals from across the globe.
This year’s event will introduce seven key features, including TALENTS, Neooold, and Beyond Craft Japan, alongside conferences such as the Global Design Conference and Design for Wellbeing. Workshops and exhibitions will explore human-centered design and future-focused materials through interactive installations, which promise to enhance visitors’ overall experience. The event will also maintain its ongoing focus on collaboration and dialogue between cultures, presenting cutting-edge concepts and evolving trends within the design world to over 80,000 visitors.
7. Lighting Fair Tokyo
When? March 4–7, 2025
Where? Tokyo, Japan
The 7th Lighting Fair Tokyo will take place from the 4th of March to the 7th in Tokyo, Japan. This is considered one of the largest comprehensive lighting exhibitions in the country, and it is normally focused on showcasing innovative lighting solutions able to create functional and efficient environments. To showcase this, key exhibits cover residential, commercial, and industrial lighting applications and advanced control systems and measuring tools designed to optimize lighting performance. The event is, therefore, mainly a platform for businesses to explore opportunities within Japan’s lighting industry, so the networking opportunities here are top-notch.
This year’s event will introduce several specialized zones, including areas focused on office and workplace lighting, technologies for infectious disease control, and innovations in lighting materials and components. Furthermore, attendees can expect workshops and demonstrations highlighting UV sterilization lamps, thermographic cameras, LED advancements, and smart lighting solutions tailored for evolving needs such as remote workspaces.
8. Light! Design Expo
When? June 12, 2025
Where? San Francisco, USA
The 8th annual Light! Design Expo, organized by the IES San Francisco Section, will take place on June 12th at Pier 27 on Embarcadero in San Francisco, USA. This event mainly focuses on architectural and decorative lighting, offering a platform for professionals in architecture, design, engineering, construction, and related fields to showcase their products and learn from other professionals. The expo is a key networking opportunity in Northern California and attracts over 1,600 attendees from the design community every year, all of whom are able to enjoy four accredited seminars, and product showcases tailored to the needs of the regional design and construction industries.
This year’s event will include a gallery of local lighting projects that highlight collaborations between designers and manufacturers, curated seminars that will take place in a 3,000-square-foot space designed to accommodate up to 200 attendees per session, and industry partnerships with organizations such as AIA, IIDA, and ASID—plus complimentary food and beverages from local vendors, a great plus.
9. IES25 The Lighting Conference
When? August 15–17, 2025
Where? New York City, USA
IES25: The Lighting Conference will take place in New York City, USA, from the 15th of August to the 17th, having been organized by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). This event is known for offering great opportunities for networking, top seminars, and discussions on industry trends led by experts, making this a must for those located on the West Coast of the US.
The conference agenda includes plenary sessions, keynote presentations, tabletop exhibits, and breakout sessions, with attendees able to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) throughout the event. Visitors will be able to attend specialized workshops, such as the Emerging Professionals and Leadership Forum, interactive sessions, and technical presentations, and learn from the IES Progress Report, which will present advancements in lighting technology and research. The Illumination Awards Gala is one of the conference’s most expected events, as it recognizes the biggest achievements in lighting design and innovation yearly.
10. Bangkok Design Week
When? February 8-23, 2025
Where? Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok Design Week will take place from February 8th to 23rd in Bangkok, Thailand, and highlights Bangkok’s role as a member of the UNESCO Creative City Network. The event is born from a collaborative effort between the Creative Economy Agency (CEA) and over 60 state agencies, educational institutions, and international organizations. This year’s theme, “Design Up+Rising: Facing Challenges with a Positive Twist“, focuses on how design can address global uncertainties and drive societal transformation, so visitors will be able to explore it throughout the city’s creative districts.
This year, attendees will be offered several new features, including interdisciplinary workshops, curated exhibitions, and experimental design projects that challenge traditional approaches to design. Over 2,000 designers and creative businesses will be present at the event, showing how collaborations across fields can push lighting design (and design itself) forward. From themed showcases on optimism, cross-disciplinarity, and the disruptive power of design, alongside networking opportunities and interactive activities, this is definitely a must-attend event for those who are curious about how collaboration and innovation can influence the future of design as a whole.
