Greater Noida is about to turn into the world’s biggest shopping window for Indian craft. The 62nd IHGF Delhi Fair, Autumn 2026, opened its doors today at the India Expo Centre and Mart, and it is easily the largest edition of the show yet. More than 3,000 exhibitors have packed into 17 halls and 900 permanent showrooms, laying out everything from brassware and carpets to festive decor and bamboo products for buyers from around 100 countries.
Organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the five-day fair runs until October 17. If the crowds pouring in on day one are any indication, this year’s edition could be one of the most significant sourcing events the Indian handicraft industry has seen.
Why this edition matters
The IHGF Delhi Fair has quietly grown into the world’s largest business-to-business sourcing event for home, lifestyle, fashion and textile products. For the thousands of artisans, exporters and family-run manufacturers who exhibit here, a good show can mean export orders that keep entire clusters employed for a year.
EPCH Chairman Dr Neeraj Khanna said the fair has, over three decades, become a trusted meeting point for international buyers and Indian exporters. This year’s focus, he said, is on helping both sides build partnerships that go beyond a single order season.
The timing is interesting too. India has been signing a string of trade agreements with countries and blocs including the UAE, Australia, the UK, Oman, New Zealand and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Khanna pointed out that these deals are steadily improving market access for Indian handicraft exporters, and strong buyer turnout is expected from European markets in particular.
Sixteen categories under one roof
The sheer range on display is the fair’s biggest draw. The exhibition is spread across 16 product categories, including:
- Textiles, linen, carpets and rugs
- Furniture, home decor and furnishings
- Fashion jewellery, bags and accessories
- Lighting, kitchenware and festive decor
- Outdoor and garden products
- Bamboo and eco-friendly products
- Toys and handmade lifestyle goods
With Diwali just around the corner, the festive decor sections are expected to be among the busiest halls, as international buyers stock up for the year-end gifting season in the West.
Young designers and AI share the spotlight
It is not all traditional craft this year. The fair’s Young Designers’ Collective will showcase new work from designers trained at leading design institutes, and a curated Trend Booth will present the colours, materials and forms expected to define global buying in 2027.
Regional craft displays are another highlight. Products from leading manufacturing clusters, emerging start-ups and artisan groups from across India, including participants from the Northeast, will be on show. Handloom weavers and handicraft artisanpreneurs, as the council calls them, are being given dedicated space.
The fair is also looking forward in a different way. A series of knowledge sessions titled The Higher Quest will cover topics like artificial intelligence in production and sourcing, AI-driven online visibility for exporters, and how to comply with European Union rules on deforestation and packaging waste. Other sessions will unpack India’s free trade agreements and the financial and market-support schemes available to exporters.
Who is buying
According to EPCH, buyers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Canada, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are expected to attend. Some big names have already confirmed: Walmart Global Sourcing India, Target, TJX Companies, HomeGoods, Welspun, Homecentre and Landmark Group are on the list.
Indian retailers are turning up in force as well. Reliance Retail, Trent, Fabindia, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle International, Miniso, Lulu Group, Aditya Birla Fashion and Archies are expected to walk the halls, hunting for collections to stock through the festive season and beyond.
EPCH Executive Director Rajesh Rawat said the council ran international promotional campaigns, took part in overseas trade shows and carried out targeted buyer outreach to drive participation from key markets.
The numbers behind the craft
The fair arrives at a moment when India’s handicraft exports are on a strong footing. According to EPCH, total handicraft exports stood at Rs 33,168 crore, roughly US$3.754 billion, in the financial year 2025-26. The organisers say this edition is designed to help exporters connect directly with buyers, present new collections and build long-term sourcing relationships.
For the small workshops and artisan families behind those exports, the next five days in Greater Noida could decide how the coming year looks. If the first morning’s footfall is anything to go by, the craft world is paying attention.
FAQs
When and where is the IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn 2026 being held?
The fair runs from October 13 to October 17, 2026, at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida.
How many exhibitors are taking part this year?
More than 3,000 exhibitors are showcasing their products across 17 halls and 900 permanent showrooms.
Which countries are the buyers coming from?
Buyers from around 100 countries are expected, including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Canada, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
What products can visitors see at the fair?
The exhibition covers 16 categories, including textiles, carpets, furniture, home decor, fashion jewellery, lighting, festive decor, bamboo products and toys.
Who organises the IHGF Delhi Fair?
The fair is organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) and hosted by India Exposition Mart Limited.
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