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From massive technology fairs to intimate headphone meets, the audio calendar is full all year. This guide groups events by type and lists their usual month and location. Dates change from year to year, so always confirm on the organiser’s official website before planning a trip.
Months shown are when each event is usually held. Some shows are trade-only on certain days, and venues occasionally change. Check official sites for current dates, tickets and public-access days.
Major hi-fi shows
HIGH END
Europe’s biggest and most influential high-end audio show, with hundreds of exhibitors and world premieres. Held in Munich for many years, it moved to Vienna from 2026; the 2027 edition is scheduled for 6–9 May 2027.
AXPONA (Audio Expo North America)
North America’s largest consumer audio show, with listening rooms across a hotel and convention centre, an Ear Gear headphone area and a record fair.
Bristol Hi-Fi Show
A long-running, friendly UK show focused on the kind of equipment real enthusiasts buy, with many show deals.
Florida Audio Expo
A fast-growing US show with a wide range of rooms from affordable to cost-no-object systems.
Pacific Audio Fest
West Coast consumer audio show with listening rooms, seminars and headphone exhibitors.
Audio Video Show
One of Europe’s largest consumer audio shows, spread across a stadium and hotels, known for huge attendance.
Tokyo International Audio Show
Japan’s premier high-end audio event, showcasing Japanese and international brands.
Hong Kong High-End Audio Visual Show
A major Asian showcase for high-end audio and home theatre equipment.
Headphone shows
CanJam
The world’s leading headphone and personal audio show, touring several cities each year. CanJam NYC usually runs in early spring and CanJam SoCal in late summer. Expect hundreds of headphones, IEMs, DACs and amps to try.
Headphone Festival (Tokyo)
Long-running headphone and portable audio festival organised by Tokyo retailer Fujiya Avic, where many Japanese and Asian brands debut new products.
Consumer technology fairs
CES
The world’s biggest consumer technology show. Audio highlights include new TVs, soundbars, headphones and wireless standards. Trade-only.
IFA Berlin
Europe’s largest consumer electronics fair, with many headphone, speaker and TV-audio launches ahead of the holiday season.
Pro audio and music-making
The NAMM Show
The music products industry’s biggest gathering: instruments, studio gear, live sound and DJ equipment.
ISE (Integrated Systems Europe)
The largest pro AV and systems integration show, including installed audio, home cinema and residential tech.
Superbooth
A hands-on fair for synthesizers and electronic instruments, especially modular — full of small, independent makers.
AES Conventions
The Audio Engineering Society’s conventions combine technical papers, workshops and a pro audio exhibition.
Music, vinyl and festivals
Record Store Day
A celebration of independent record shops with limited-edition vinyl releases, in-store performances and long queues. There is often a smaller edition in November too.
Sónar
A festival of music, creativity and technology, with Sónar+D exploring new music tech.
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE)
A huge electronic music conference and festival, with a strong focus on DJ, production and studio technology.
How to get the most from an audio show
Plan your must-hear rooms
Big shows have hundreds of rooms. Check the exhibitor list and map in advance.
Bring your own music
Many exhibitors will play your tracks from a phone or USB stick — ask politely.
Take notes and photos
After ten rooms, everything blurs together. Note what you liked and why.
Remember: show rooms aren’t your room
Hotel rooms and halls sound very different from home. Use shows to shortlist, not to decide.
Go on the last day for deals
Some exhibitors offer discounts or sell demo stock at the end of the show.
Bring your own headphones or IEMs to headphone shows
You can compare amps and DACs with something you already know.