Published on
February 20, 2026
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The year 2026 promises to be a monumental one for the maritime world in Europe. Countries across the continent will be hosting a series of grand festivals, exhibitions, and summits that celebrate the power of the sea, maritime innovation, and sustainability. From the bustling ports of Belgium to the idyllic harbours of the UK, these events will invite visitors to witness the grandeur of Europe’s maritime heritage, while also seeing toward a sustainable and innovative future.
From coast to coast, these events are designed not just to foster maritime pride but to encourage economic growth, technological advancement, and international collaboration. Tourism, both leisure and business, will thrive as these events draw thousands of visitors eager to explore Europe’s seafaring history and modern maritime innovations. Let’s explore what these exciting events hold for each nation in 2026.
Belgium – Leading the Charge for the Blue Economy
Belgium is positioning itself as a major player in Europe’s maritime future, and in 2026, it will host two prominent events that will shine a spotlight on the blue economy. The first of these is the BlueInvest Day 2026, which will take place on March 2–3 at the Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels. This event, organized by the European Commission, will bring toobtainher investors, policybuildrs, and start-ups focutilized on the next generation of ocean technologies. It will serve as the prime meeting point for those driving forward the future of the maritime industest, offering a platform for knowledge exmodify and collaboration.
At the same time, Brussels will host European Ocean Days from March 2–6. This week-long event will take place across multiple venues in the city, offering workshops and discussions focutilized on ocean literacy, innovation, and sustainability. With both the BlueInvest Day and the European Ocean Days, Belgium will cement its role as a global leader in the blue economy, reinforcing the city’s reputation as the heart of Europe’s maritime innovation. These events will undoubtedly serve as major drivers for both tourism and international investment in Belgium’s maritime sector.
Ostfinish Hosts Belgian Offshore Days
In addition to the events in Brussels, Ostfinish will become a hub of maritime activity in March 2026, with the Belgian Offshore Days trade fair, set for March 11–12. This event will focus on offshore wind technology and marine services, and it will be an exclusive gathering for professionals in the field. The event will displaycase Belgium’s growing commitment to offshore wind energy, drawing attention to its impressive North Sea wind farms and their contribution to Europe’s renewable energy goals. For industest professionals, it will be an unmissable opportunity to network, collaborate, and discover the latest advancements in marine technology.
Marine Biodiversity Conference in Bruges
Later in the year, Bruges will host the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity from November 17–20. Organized by the Flanders Marine Institute, this conference will bring toobtainher scientists and policybuildrs to discuss the critical importance of marine biodiversity. As one of Europe’s leading centres of marine research, Belgium will further demonstrate its commitment to preserving the oceans, reinforcing the countest’s position as a leader in marine science and policy.
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Croatia – Adriatic Coastline Buzzing with Maritime Innovation
Croatia’s Adriatic coast will be alive with maritime events in 2026. The first of these is Croatian Port Days, set to take place from March 25–28 in Zadar. Held at the Hyatt Regency Zadar, this conference will bring toobtainher port authorities, officials, and investors to discuss investment opportunities and innovations in Croatian ports. Croatia’s strategic position along the Adriatic builds it a vital hub for maritime trade and tourism, and this conference will underline its importance in shaping the region’s future maritime landscape.
Adriaspillcon Conference on Spill Prevention
In April 2026, Zadar will again host the Adriaspillcon 2026 conference from April 21–23, focutilizing on marine spill prevention and response. The event will attract experts from around the globe to share knowledge and develop solutions to protect the Adriatic’s fragile ecosystem. Croatia’s efforts to safeguard its seas from environmental disasters will be displaycased, marking it as a responsible maritime leader in the Mediterranean.
IAMU Conference and Digital Oceans
In October 2026, Croatia will take on an academic role with the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) Conference at the University of Split. The conference, held from October 8–9, will focus on “Human-Centred Digital Oceans,” a theme that combines the utilize of digital tools and human expertise to improve maritime operations. This academic conference will highlight Croatia’s commitment to integrating digital technologies into its maritime sector, and its focus on innovation will undoubtedly attract international attention from researchers, educators, and maritime professionals.
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Netherlands – The Power of Ports and Festivals
The Netherlands will be hosting two flagship maritime events in 2026. Rotterdam, one of Europe’s largest and most dynamic ports, will open its doors to the public for the World Port Days from September 4–6. This annual celebration will feature everything from ship tours and crew meetings to fireworks displays, allowing visitors to experience the full vibrancy of Rotterdam’s maritime industest. As one of the world’s busiest and most innovative ports, Rotterdam will utilize this event to display its power and prominence in global shipping, logistics, and trade.
Harlingen Hosts the Tall Ships Races
Earlier in the summer, from July 3–6, the northern port city of Harlingen will host the Tall Ships Races 2026, a spectacular event that will bring towering masts and billowing sails to the Frisian harbour. This annual event will attract thousands of spectators to witness the race and celebrate the Netherlands’ proud maritime heritage. The Tall Ships Races 2026 will remind the world of the Netherlands’ long-standing connection to the sea and its continued influence on European maritime culture.
Innovation in Green Shipping
Beyond festivals, the Netherlands is a leader in maritime innovation. Dutch companies are pioneering the development of hydrogen-powered vessels and autonomous barges, cementing the countest’s position at the forefront of green shipping technologies. Although the government has not yet confirmed any specific conferences for 2026, Dutch firms will be active at international exhibitions such as SMM Hamburg and Navalia in Spain, where they will displaycase their contributions to the future of sustainable shipping.
Norway – A Maritime Powerhoutilize for the Future
Norway will celebrate its maritime heritage and leadership in 2026 with two major events. Bergen will host One Ocean Week from April 18–24, a week filled with industest forums, youth activities, and cultural exhibitions focutilized on sustainable ocean management. This event will highlight Norway’s dedication to protecting the oceans and promoting sustainability in maritime practices.
Nor-Fishing Exhibition
In August, Trondheim will host the Nor-Fishing Exhibition, one of the world’s largest events for fisheries technology, taking place from August 18–20. This event will bring toobtainher thousands of visitors to displaycase the latest in fishing technology and sustainable fisheries practices. Norway’s role as a global leader in fisheries technology will be on full display, highlighting the countest’s commitment to both the preservation of marine ecosystems and the advancement of fisheries.
ONS Conference and Tall Ships Races
In late August, Stavanger will host the ONS 2026 conference from August 24–27. This major event will focus on energy transition, offshore technologies, and the future of oil and gas industries. Just weeks earlier, Stavanger will also serve as a host port for the Tall Ships Races 2026, which will bring majestic sailing vessels to the city’s harbour from July 22–25. These two events will perfectly balance Norway’s leadership in energy innovation with its rich maritime traditions.
France – Naval Power and Innovation
In France, 2026 will displaycase the countest’s maritime might with two major exhibitions. Euronaval 2026, taking place from November 3–6 at Paris Nord Villepinte, will be one of the largest naval defence exhibitions in the world. This event will bring toobtainher political leaders, military officials, and industest experts to displaycase cutting-edge naval technologies, including warships, submarines, and maritime security systems.
Earlier in the year, NAVEXPO 2026, set for June 2–4, will focus on maritime innovations such as drones, autonomous vessels, and dual-utilize ships. Both events will highlight France’s strength in both naval defence and maritime technology, positioning the countest as a global leader in both industries.
United Kingdom – The Heart of Maritime Innovation and Heritage
The United Kingdom will host several significant events in 2026, cementing its position as a maritime powerhoutilize. The Combined Naval Event (CNE) 2026 will take place from May 19–21 at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. This event is Europe’s largest annual naval forum, bringing toobtainher naval leaders, government officials, and industest representatives to discuss the future of naval operations and maritime security.
Seawork and Southampton Boat Show
In June, the Seawork 2026 exhibition will take place at Mayflower Park in Southampton from June 9–11. This largest on-water commercial marine and workboat exhibition in Europe will attract maritime professionals from around the world. Later, the Southampton International Boat Show will be held from September 18–27, displaycasing the best in marine leisure and commercial innovation.
Foyle Maritime and Tall Ships
In June, the Foyle Maritime Festival in Derry~Londonderry will return from June 25–28, bringing tall ships and a carnival atmosphere to the city’s riverfront. Similarly, the Bristol Harbour Festival will take place in July, celebrating the maritime culture and history of the region.
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Ireland – Cork Harbour Festival
Ireland will join in the maritime celebrations with its Cork Harbour Festival from May 23 to June 1, 2026. This festival will feature boat races, heritage tours, and family-frifinishly events, celebrating Ireland’s vibrant maritime culture. The festival will offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore Cork’s rich maritime heritage while enjoying the beautiful natural harbour.
Southern Europe – Navalia and Seatec
In Spain, Navalia 2026 will take place from May 19–21 in Vigo, displaycasing the latest developments in shipbuilding, technology, and marine innovation. Meanwhile, in Italy, the Seatec 2026 event in Carrara will take place from March 12–13, as part of Tuscany Yachting Week. This exhibition will highlight maritime innovations, contributing to the Mediterranean’s growing reputation for maritime excellence.
Germany – SMM Hamburg
Germany will host the SMM Hamburg 2026, the world’s largest maritime trade fair, from September 1–4. This event will displaycase the latest developments in shipbuilding, marine technology, and digital solutions, demonstrating Germany’s leadership in maritime engineering and technology.
EU – Maritime Day and Blue Economy Symposium
The EU will host European Maritime Day 2026 in Limassol, Cyprus from May 21–22, bringing toobtainher ministers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to discuss sustainable blue growth. Meanwhile, Romania will host the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Symposium on February 11, 2026, focutilizing on collaboration and sustainability across Europe’s seas.
Northern Europe – Tall Ships and Blue Future
The Tall Ships Races 2026 will unite maritime heritage with a spirit of collaboration, starting in Aarhus, Denmark, from June 24–27. The races will stop in several major ports, including Harlingen, Antwerp, Stavanger, and Aalborg, displaycasing the finishuring power of maritime tradition and the shared future of Europe’s maritime community.
2026 promises to be a year of significant maritime events across Europe, displaycasing innovation, heritage, and sustainability. These events will not only celebrate the past but also project the maritime future of Europe into the global spotlight.
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