Formex is a trade fair for interior design and design. Visitors from around the world gather twice a year to do business, explore hundreds of product novelties, listen to inspiring speakers, meet like-minded people, and stay updated on the latest trends and news.

When and where does Formex take place?

The next fair takes place August 25-27, 2026 at Stockholmsmässan, address: Mässvägen 1, 125 30 Älvsjö.

How can I register as an exhibitor?

Click on 'Priser & intresseanmälan' and then 'Intresseanmälan'. After filling in your contact details, Formex sales staff will contact you to help with the process.

Who can visit Formex?

Formex is a trade fair for interior design and design. Buyers, interior designers, designers, stylists, architects, and students in the interior design field are welcome.

Formex is organized by Stockholmsmässan, which will remain in its current premises at least until 2034, ensuring continuity and stability.

What can I expect from a visit?

Explore a wide range of products in interior design, gifts, delicacies, children's products, fashion and accessories. Get inspiration from latest trends, network with colleagues, attend lectures and workshops, and meet designers, buyers, and retailers.

Formex Stockholm 2026 | TradeShowIntel

Notable exhibitors

Companies exhibiting at Formex Stockholm 2026 include #ÄLSKAPLÅT, A Lot Decoration, A World of Craft, A&C Oslo AS and AB Fondaco.

#ÄLSKAPLÅT
A Lot Decoration
A World of Craft
A&C Oslo AS
AB Fondaco

Event overview

Overview

Formex is the most important meeting place in the Nordics for design and interiors.

It welcomes national and international visitors and exhibitors twice a year to do business, discover industry news, and network.

In addition to a wide range of current products, Formex constantly presents new inspiration and upcoming trends as well as knowledge-enhancing lectures and leading exhibitions.

TL;DR

1Nordic design and interiors trade show held biannually at Stockholmsmässan.
2Next edition: August 25-27, 2026; also January 19-21, 2027.
3Attracts buyers, designers, retailers, agents, and media from across the Nordics.
4Features Design Talents area for emerging designers and a Sustainability Award.
5Product categories include home textiles, furniture, lighting, gifts, and handcrafts.

Why visit

Visiting Formex provides a unique opportunity to explore the latest trends in interiors and design, network with industry professionals, discover new products and suppliers, attend inspiring lectures and workshops, and find business contacts. The event covers a broad range of product categories and features exclusive areas like Design Talents and trend presentations.

Why exhibit

Exhibiting at Formex gives you direct access to buyers, designers, retailers, and media from the entire Nordic design and interiors sector. You can strengthen your business, showcase products, build valuable relationships, and reach the region's most important trade audience. The event offers high foot traffic from qualified professionals, multiple product zones, and opportunities to participate in awards like the Sustainability Award.

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Visitor profile

Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

Buyers

Interior Designers

Retailers

Agents

Distributors

Importers

Designers

Media

Exhibitor profile

Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

Home Textiles

Furniture

Lighting

Ceramics

Glassware

Fashion Accessories

Gifts

Crafts

Toys

Garden

Product categories

Key solution areas showcased across the event.

Interior Design

Design

Gifts

Delicacies

Children's Products

Fashion & Accessories

Home Textiles

Handicrafts

Garden

Toys

Location & Facilities

Venue

Open in Google Maps

Stockholmsmässan

Mässvägen 1, 125 30 Älvsjö, Sweden

Facilities

Parking

About 2,000 parking spaces in the garage and open areas around Stockholmsmassan, plus roughly 300 more nearby; 24 EV charging stations are available in the garage at entrance P2, billed at the posted rate.

2,000 spaces ·

Accessibility

Stockholmsmassan provides accessible restrooms with changing tables (with a published map of accessible restrooms), hearing loop systems in several halls (Victoria Hall, K1, K2, K11, K21, T1, T2) available at the Information Desk with ID, and free companion entry with a companion certificate.

Cloakroom

Cloakrooms are available at the main entrance, the Eastern entrance, the A and B hall galleries, and the C hall; the fee is 45 SEK for a jacket and 45 SEK for a bag, paid by card only (cashless venue). Storage lockers are not currently available; QR-code-operated storage boxes near the Victoria Hall entrance can be used instead for valuables and bags.

Luggage storage

Stockholmsmassan states it does not currently have storage lockers on the premises; QR-code-activated storage boxes near the Victoria Hall entrance are offered as an alternative for valuables and bags.

Charging points

Portable power banks with charging cables can be rented via the Lectogo app at the main-entrance information desk, and the parking garage (entrance P2) has 24 electric-vehicle charging stations.

Food options

On-site restaurants

On-site dining

Parking: Total of 2000 parking spaces in the garage and open areas around Stockholmsmässan, plus about 300 spaces in the vicinity. Charging stations available.

Attend

Entry & tickets

Trade-only

Event days & opening times

DayOpening hours

Tuesday 25 August9:30 AM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday 26 August 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Thursday 27 August 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Ticket info

Badge collection

Tickets and badges are distributed digitally upon online registration and must be presented for entry at Stockholmsmässan.

Ticket notes

Formex is a trade-only fair open exclusively to industry professionals within interior design, gift, and lifestyle sectors. Registration and ticket purchasing are handled via the official website.

Who runs the show

Organisers

Hanna Andersson

Sales Manager

Email Call

Mia Åkerlund

Sales Manager

Email Call

Sonja Björk Ebert

Project Manager

Call

Catarina Öhlund

Operational Project Manager

Call

Tina Larsson

Press & PR Manager

Call

What's on

Programme

Formex Talks

Livepodd

Event days

10:30–16:45

Typical time

Official agenda

This agenda is still being finalised. Check the official agenda for the latest sessions.

Speakers

Elin Frendberg

Confirmed

Formex trender höst/vinter 2026

Anna Starrén

Confirmed

Workshop – Praktfulla pappersklockor

Magnus Ohlsson

Confirmed

Hur en osäker omvärld påverkar marknad och konsumtion

Lena Nyholm

Confirmed

Frågelådan med Lena Nyholm

Stefan Nilsson

Confirmed

Vårda och värna

Halvor Bakke

Confirmed

Det skal være godt å komme hjem

Jannice Wistrand

Confirmed

Det ska hålla – både i väggen och i livet

Mathias Mörlin

Confirmed

Det ska hålla – både i väggen och i livet

Karl Fredrik

Confirmed

Ett hem med själ

Hanna Wendelbo

Confirmed

Ett hem med själ

Helena Lyth

Confirmed

Skapa egna julblommor med DIY-stjärnan Helena Lyth

Louise Byg Kongsholm

Confirmed

Zeitgeist and trends shaping consumer choices

Emma Hernell

Confirmed

Framtidens konsumtionslandskap: trenderna som formar morgondagens marknad

Gustav Ovland

Confirmed

Från fabriksruin till design – En resa i återbruk och kreativitet

Beriksson

Confirmed

Provsmaka och lär dig mer om choklad

Frida Ramstedt

Confirmed

Maria Soxbo

Confirmed

Tuesday, Aug 25, 2026

11:00 – 11:30

Formex trender höst/vinter 2026

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

11:00 – 11:45

Workshop – Praktfulla pappersklockor med Anna Starrén

Workshop / Aktivitet

Workshop-område A20:19

11:45 – 12:15

Hur en osäker omvärld påverkar marknad och konsumtion

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

12:30 – 13:00

Frågelådan med Lena Nyholm

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

13:15 – 13:45

Vårda och värna

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

14:00 – 14:30

Det skal være godt å komme hjem

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

14:45 – 15:15

Lär dig ljussätta som en inredare

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

15:00 – 15:45

Workshop – Praktfulla pappersklockor med Anna Starrén

Workshop / Aktivitet

Workshop-område A20:19

15:30 – 16:00

Det ska hålla – både i väggen och i livet

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

16:15 – 16:45

Ett hem med själ

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2026

11:00 – 11:30

Formex trender höst/vinter 2026

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

11:00 – 11:45

Skapa egna julblommor med DIY-stjärnan Helena Lyth

Workshop / Aktivitet

Workshop-område A20:19

11:45 – 12:15

LIVEPODD med Snickarn & Inredarn

Livepodd

Formex scen, A20:20

13:15 – 13:45

Zeitgeist and trends shaping consumer choices

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

14:00 – 14:30

Helena Hyllar Högtiderna

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

14:45 – 15:15

Ett hem med själ

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

15:00 – 15:45

Skapa egna julblommor med DIY-stjärnan Helena Lyth

Workshop / Aktivitet

Workshop-område A20:19

15:30 – 16:00

Framtidens konsumtionslandskap: trenderna som formar morgondagens marknad

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

16:15 – 16:45

Från fabriksruin till design – En resa i återbruk och kreativitet

Formex Talks

Formex scen, A20:20

Thursday, Aug 27, 2026

10:30 – 11:15

Provsmaka och lär dig mer om choklad

Workshop / Aktivitet

Workshop-område A20:19

Topic tracks

Formex TalksLivepoddWorkshop / Aktivitet

Co-located events

Formex Talks & Keynotes

Separate ticket

An on-site stage program featuring industry lectures, panel discussions, and workshops covering retail trends, consumer behavior, business strategies, and sustainability.

Website

Awards

Formex Sustainability Award

Annual

A competition for exhibitors and designers to win the award for the most sustainably thought-out product. Nominations are marketed through channels including press and PR, and displayed prominently during the event.

source

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Current edition

2026 · 23,000 visitors · 850 exhibitors

Forecast — not final

Visitors

7,000

Growth over time

Edition recap

The most recent Formex edition before August 2026 ran January 20-22, 2026 at Stockholmsmassan, drawing more exhibiting companies than the prior January edition and over 7,000 visitors over three days. Highlights included a Tartkalas (cake-party) entrance installation by Sasa Antic and Niklas Hansen, a 90-meter Garden Party inspiration walk by Alcro Studio and Lena Nyholm, and the launch of a new award, Arets Tulpan, won by the tulip variety Icoon.

The prior August 2025 edition (26-28 August), marking Formex's 65th anniversary under the theme Things We Love, brought together 360 exhibitors from the Nordics and beyond and almost 8,000 visitors over three days.

New this edition

1
Arets Tulpan (Tulip of the Year)
New award and trend-color feature launched at the January 2026 edition in collaboration with Blomsterframjandet; the inaugural winner was the tulip variety Icoon.
Source
2
Winter Wonderland entrance exhibition
Theme announced for the entrance-square installation at the August 25-27, 2026 edition, created by Eva Andersson and centered on sustainable design celebrating Swedish traditions.
Source

Photos

Camois x Denniz Valencia exhibition, Formex January 2026

Trend exhibition with Maxjenny Forslund and Jan Rundgren, Formex August 2025 65th-anniversary edition

Testimonials

It's been fantastic seeing the fair grow more exhibitors, more deals, more energy on the floor.
Sonja Bjork Ebert · Project Manager, Formex · Stockholmsmassan · 2026

Formex is a tradition we never tire of so much more to us than just a trade fair.
Catarina and Soren · Exhibitors · Karrstegens Gard · 2025

We had a fantastic fair, meeting happy customers full of energy and confidence in the future.
Therese Suwe · Exhibitor · Olsson & Jensen · 2025

Next edition outlook

2026-08-25 – 2026-08-27

medium core dates, theme, and programme elements are officially confirmed, but final exhibitor/visitor counts for August 2026 are not yet published

The next Formex edition runs August 25-27, 2026 at Stockholmsmassan. Official announcements confirm a Winter Wonderland theme for the entrance-square exhibition celebrating Swedish traditions, continuation of the Design Talents programme with winners to be named, and an exhibitor list already showing strong sign-up momentum ahead of the show.

Winter Wonderland entrance-square exhibition themed around Swedish traditions and sustainable design, created by Eva Andersson Design Talents programme continues with a jury led by Lisa Bengtsson naming a new Best in Show winner Standard ticket hours confirmed as Tue 25 Aug 09:30-19:00, Wed 26 Aug 09:30-18:00, Thu 27 Aug 09:30-16:00

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

Formex's two most recent editions show a live, professionally-focused Nordic interiors and design fair recovering momentum. The August 2025 edition, marking the fair's 65th anniversary, drew 360 exhibitors and almost 8,000 visitors over three days. The following January 2026 edition grew exhibitor participation further and brought in over 7,000 visitors, with organisers publicly describing renewed interest from exhibitors and partners who had been absent for a while. Both editions combined trend exhibitions, award programmes, and business-focused networking for buyers, designers, and producers.

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

Formex is a trade-only fair restricted to industry professionals, with a minimum visitor age of 15 (children under 3 in strollers are also admitted); it is explicitly a buying fair where attendees make purchases and place orders rather than browse as general consumers. Official materials describe the audience as national and international buyers, wholesalers, importers, producers, designers, stylists, interior decorators, retailers, and media active in interior design, gifts, and related sectors.

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Official recap materials do not publish quantified ROI metrics such as leads generated or sales value. Qualitative exhibitor testimonials from the August 2025 edition describe meeting energetic, satisfied customers and view Formex as a long-running, valuable business tradition. The standard exhibitor start package includes a Leadtrack lead-capture license, 10 complimentary entry tickets for inviting customers, and a company profile in the exhibitor portal, which support lead generation and customer invitations, though no official figures quantify resulting sales or lead volume.

Intelligence

Exhibitors

246

Exhibitors

Top exhibitor countries

Top 10 by exhibitor count — estimates based on published directory.

Sweden
208
Denmark
15
Germany
6
Norway
4
Finland
3
Ireland
2
United Kingdom
2
Netherlands
2
France
2
Poland
1

~85% of listed exhibitors are from Sweden.

Category breakdown

246Exhibitors

1~136

estimate

2~34

estimate

3~27

estimate

National pavilions

Sweden

~208 stands

estimate

Denmark

~15 stands

estimate

Germany

~6 stands

estimate

Norway

~4 stands

estimate

Finland

~3 stands

estimate

Ireland

~2 stands

estimate

United Kingdom

~2 stands

estimate

Netherlands

~2 stands

estimate

France

~2 stands

estimate

Poland

~1 stands

estimate

Estonia

~1 stands

estimate

Notable companies

Åhléns

Sweden

Nordiska Kompaniet (NK)

Sweden

Buyer targets

High priority

Buyers sourcing

Gift and Home Design Suppliers (profile Pending)

Buyers sourcing

Food, Tea and Spices

Buyers sourcing

Craft and Creative Design

Buyers sourcing

Scandinavian Living and Dining

Buyers sourcing

Other Gift and Home Design Suppliers

Medium priority

Buyers sourcing

Fashion and Accessories

Buyers sourcing

Sustainability and Eco Products

Buyers sourcing

Paper and Packaging

Buyers sourcing

Lifestyle and Garden

Buyers sourcing

Wholesale and Distribution

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Nordic / Northern Europe (Sweden-centered), closely linked to the wider Western European design, gift, and consumer-goods trade circuit (France, Germany, Denmark).

Why it matters

Formex sits at the center of a recovering Nordic interior-design and gift trade: the organiser's own reporting shows the January 2026 edition grew exhibitor participation and drew over 7,000 visitors, while roughly 85% of the show's exhibitor base is Swedish, making it primarily a domestic-anchored but internationally attended marketplace. The organiser is also investing more visibly in curated trend storytelling (the Elin Frendberg partnership and 'Winter Wonderland' installation) and in circularity signals (the Sustainability Award going to a recycled-textile maker), positioning Formex less as a pure order-writing floor and more as a trend-setting stop on a wider circuit that includes Maison&Objet Paris, Ambiente Frankfurt, and a relaunching Stockholm Furniture Fair. For buyers and brands, that circuit context matters when deciding whether to treat Formex as a standalone Nordic play or as one leg of a broader European sourcing and trend-scouting trip.

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Trade show recovery and rising exhibitor participation

Stockholmsmässan's own reporting on the January 2026 Formex edition describes more exhibiting companies than the prior January edition and over 7,000 visitors across three days, framed by the organiser as a sign the industry is bouncing back after a slower period.

Source

Circularity and small-scale craftsmanship as a differentiator

Formex's 2026 Sustainability Award went to qeenew, a maker that turns recycled textiles into garments through small-scale, craft-based production, reflecting a broader push toward circular materials and local, artisanal manufacturing in the Nordic gift and interiors trade.

Source

Organiser-led seasonal trend curation as a show differentiator

Formex has brought on former Fotografiska and Swedish Fashion Council executive Elin Frendberg to produce its seasonal trend reports, with the August 2026 edition built around an immersive 'Winter Wonderland' installation under the theme 'Celebrate Traditions autumn/winter' a sign organisers are investing more heavily in curated experience and storytelling to differentiate the show floor.

Source

Warmer, texture-led, personality-driven interiors

Nordic design commentary for 2026 describes a shift away from stark minimalism toward texture-led spaces, natural materials like pale birch and washed oak, and more personal, lived-in interiors rather than staged perfection.

Source

Earthy, grounded colour palettes replacing pure neutrals

2026 interior design trend coverage for the Nordic market points to a move toward warm, nature-inspired tones terracotta, moss green, deep plum, ochre layered over the traditional neutral Scandinavian palette rather than replacing it outright.

Source

Market news

Latest updates from across the market.

2026-01-20

Formex names Sustainability Award, Design Talents, and Stand Spotlight winners for January 2026

Stockholmsmässan announced the winners of Formex's three main awards for the January 2026 edition: qeenew took the Sustainability Award for recycled-textile garments, with additional recognition for Design Talents and Stand Spotlight categories.

Read

2026-01-26

January 2026 Formex edition draws more exhibitors and over 7,000 visitors

The organiser reported that the January 2026 edition welcomed more exhibiting companies than the previous January show and drew over 7,000 visitors across three days, describing it as a clear signal the industry is regaining momentum.

Read

2026-05-19

Formex partners with Elin Frendberg for seasonal trend reporting

Stockholmsmässan announced a new collaboration with former Fotografiska and Swedish Fashion Council executive Elin Frendberg, who will produce Formex's seasonal trend report starting with the August 2026 edition.

Read

2026-06-11

Formex reveals its August 2026 Design Talents lineup

The organiser announced the designers selected for the August 2026 Design Talents area, noting that January 2026's Design Talents winner was Anna Krantz, and previewed the 'Winter Wonderland' theme planned for August.

Read

2026-06-26

Formex unveils 'Winter Wonderland' installation for the August 2026 edition

Stockholmsmässan detailed the entrance-square 'Winter Wonderland' installation created with stylist Eva Andersson for the August 25-27, 2026 edition, built around the theme 'Celebrate Traditions autumn/winter' and referencing Swedish seasonal traditions like crayfish parties and Christmas.

Read

Nordic and European design/gift trade circuit, August 2026 August 2027

August 2026 August 2027

After Formex's August 25-27, 2026 edition, the next 12 months bring a Paris design-week-aligned Maison&Objet in September, a dense January 2027 cluster combining Formex's own next edition with Ambiente Frankfurt and Maison&Objet's January edition, followed by the relaunched Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2027 and Copenhagen's 3daysofdesign festival in June 2027.

10–14 Sep 2026

Maison&Objet Paris (September edition)

Paris, France

Organiser-confirmed dates; covers Decor & Design, Fine Craft, Gift & Play, and related sectors overlapping with Formex's exhibitor categories.

website

14–18 Jan 2027

Maison&Objet Paris (January edition)

Paris, France

Organiser-confirmed on the official Maison&Objet visitor page as the 'Premier' January edition.

website

19–21 Jan 2027

Formex Stockholm (January 2027)

Älvsjö, Sweden

Confirmed on the official Formex 'Om Formex' page alongside the full multi-year schedule.

website

29 Jan – 2 Feb 2027

Ambiente Frankfurt 2027

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Official Messe Frankfurt dates; runs alongside Christmasworld and Creativeworld, covering Dining, Living, and Giving product areas comparable to Formex's categories.

website

9–12 Feb 2027

Stockholm Furniture Fair 2027

Älvsjö, Sweden

Organiser confirmed the fair skipped its planned February 2026 edition and is relaunching as a biennial event at Stockholmsmässan in February 2027.

website

9–11 Jun 2027

3daysofdesign

Copenhagen, Denmark

Official festival dates; a city-wide showroom/festival format rather than a single-venue trade fair, complementary to Formex's B2B floor.

website

September 2026 Paris design season

Maison&Objet Paris (September Edition)

Immediately follows Formex August 2026 by about two weeks, allowing buyers to extend a Nordic sourcing trip into a Paris design-week stop.

January 2027 trade cluster

Formex Stockholm (January 2027)Maison&Objet Paris (January Edition)Ambiente Frankfurt 2027

These three fall within roughly a three-week span in mid-to-late January 2027, giving buyers a route through Paris, Stockholm, and Frankfurt in a single trip.

February 2027 Nordic design relaunch

Stockholm Furniture Fair 2027

Follows the January cluster by about a week and marks Stockholm Furniture Fair's return to Stockholmsmässan after skipping its 2026 edition.

June 2027 Copenhagen design season

3daysofdesign

A festival-format complement later in the circuit window, useful for design-forward brands and press rather than pure order-writing buyers.

All circuit dates are drawn from each event's own organiser-published page (Formex, Maison&Objet, Messe Frankfurt/Ambiente, Stockholm Furniture Fair, and 3daysofdesign).

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · SEK

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

ARN

Stockholm Arlanda Airport

Fastest practical option: direct commuter train from Arlanda to Alvsjo station, next to Stockholmsmassan, roughly every 30 minutes, taking about 47-49 minutes.

approx. 40 km / 29 miles

to venue

approx. 40-49 minutes by direct train (Arlanda Centralstation to Alvsjo station)

by car

BMA

Stockholm Bromma Airport

Closest airport by distance, mainly served by domestic and some European routes; connect via airport bus into central Stockholm then commuter train to Alvsjo.

approx. 9-10 km / 5.9 miles

to venue

approx. 20-25 minutes by taxi or airport bus plus local transit

by car

NYO

Stockholm Skavsta Airport

Used by some low-cost carriers; Flygbussarna coach service runs to Stockholm City, from where a commuter train reaches Alvsjo/Stockholmsmassan in about 10 minutes.

approx. 83 km / 52 miles

to venue

approx. 1h 7m by car; 1.5-2h by bus/train

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

budget

Alvsjo area and outer Stockholm (near the commuter train line)

USD 60–100 / night

Budget hotels and hostels in Alvsjo and other commuter-train-connected outer Stockholm neighborhoods offer more affordable rates than the city center while remaining a short train ride from Stockholmsmassan; general Stockholm budget-travel guides estimate roughly $60-100/night for this tier.

adjacent (mid-range)

Directly next to Stockholmsmassan, Alvsjo

USD 80–180 / night

Scandic Talk sits immediately beside the venue (about a 1-minute walk) with 248 rooms; third-party hotel booking sites show typical nightly rates in roughly the $80-180 range depending on season and demand, with a private parking garage on site (fee applies).

mid range

Central Stockholm (e.g. Sodermalm, Kungsholmen, near Stockholm Central Station)

USD 150–300 / night

3-star city-center hotels in central Stockholm typically run in this range; staying centrally adds about a 9-10 minute commuter-train ride each way to reach Alvsjo/Stockholmsmassan.

premium

Central Stockholm (e.g. Norrmalm, Ostermalm, near Gamla Stan)

USD 250–450 / night

4-star and higher-end central Stockholm hotels generally fall in this range; general 2026 Stockholm cost guides put luxury-tier accommodation above roughly $200-400+ per night.

luxury

Central Stockholm waterfront and historic districts

USD 396–600 / night

Top-tier luxury hotels in Stockholm average around $396/night per person according to aggregated 2026 booking-site data, with premium waterfront or historic-district properties commanding more during peak season.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

commuter train (pendeltag)

Estimated costStandard SL public transport fare (single ticket typically in the 30-45 SEK range)

Best forStockholm Central Station / T-Centralen to Alvsjo station, directly next to Stockholmsmassan

The fastest and most common way to reach the venue; trains run 8-14 times per hour and the ride takes about 9-10 minutes.

metro (T-bana)

Estimated costStandard SL public transport fare

Best forStockholm metro line 19 (and nearby line 14) to Hagsatra station, about an 11-minute walk to the venue

Hagsatra is the nearest metro stop to Stockholmsmassan, though the commuter train to Alvsjo is generally faster and closer.

bus

Estimated costStandard SL public transport fare

Best forLocal bus routes 144, 165, 173, and 791 stop at Alvsjo station beside the venue

Useful for connections from areas not directly on the commuter rail line.

taxi / ride-hail

Estimated costVariable; typically higher than public transit, roughly 15-20 minutes from central Stockholm depending on traffic

Best forFrom central Stockholm or Bromma/Arlanda airports directly to Stockholmsmassan

Cabonline (Taxi Kurir, Sverigetaxi) and Taxi Stockholm both offer app-based booking; recommended when travelling with heavy luggage or exhibition materials.

private car / parking

Estimated costPaid parking (posted daily rate applies); EV charging billed separately

Best forDirect to Stockholmsmassan's on-site parking garage and open-air lots

About 2,000 on-site spaces plus roughly 300 nearby, with 24 EV charging stations in the garage at entrance P2.

Plan your trip

Visa & entry documents

Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

Visa not required

ATA Carnet: accepted

Type	Who needs it	Fee	Processing
Visa-exempt short stay (business or tourism)	Citizens of EU/EEA countries and citizens of visa-waiver countries (e.g. the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and many others) visiting Sweden/Schengen for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, including for business meetings and trade fairs such as Formex.	Not yet confirmed	Not applicable no visa application required
Schengen (Type C) short-stay visa	Citizens of countries that are not visa-exempt for the Schengen area (e.g. India, China, South Africa, and others) who want to visit Sweden, including for business/trade-fair purposes, for up to 90 days.	$97.00	Applications should be lodged no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel; standard processing is around 15 calendar days but can extend up to 30-45 days in some cases.
Visitor's residence permit	Non-EU citizens who want to visit Sweden for longer than 90 days, or who need to extend an ongoing visit beyond the standard Schengen short-stay limit.	Not yet confirmed	Not specified by the official source for this section.

Visa requirements are nationality-dependent. EU/EEA citizens and citizens of Schengen-associated states can enter freely. Citizens of many other countries (including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and others with Schengen visa-waiver agreements) can visit Sweden for business or tourism for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa. Citizens of countries without such an agreement (e.g. India, China, South Africa, and others) need a Schengen visa before travelling. Sweden has announced that ETIAS travel authorisation will be required for currently visa-exempt travellers, expected to launch by the end of 2026; exhibitors and visitors from visa-exempt countries should check the current ETIAS status close to their travel date.

Sweden accepts ATA Carnets for commercial samples, exhibitions and fairs, and professional equipment, allowing exhibitors to temporarily import booth materials, display goods, and equipment for Formex without paying Swedish customs duties or VAT, provided the goods are re-exported within the carnet's validity period. In Sweden, ATA Carnets are issued through the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (Stockholms Handelskammare), which also introduced a digital eATA Carnet option starting June 1, 2026.

Official visa page

Weather

Stockholm in August typically has mild weather, average highs around 20C (68F). Rain is possible; bring a light jacket.

Plan for the climate

Check temperatures and pack accordingly

Venue connectivity

Stockholmsmassan sits directly next to Alvsjo station, which both mainline commuter trains and buses serve. From Stockholm Central Station/T-Centralen it is about 9-10 minutes by commuter train to Alvsjo. Arlanda Airport connects directly to Alvsjo station by train in around 47-49 minutes. The nearest metro (T-bana) stop is Hagsatra, about an 11-minute walk from the venue, served by metro line 19 (and nearby line 14). Local bus routes 144, 165, 173 and 791 also stop at Alvsjo Station right by the venue. Taxis (e.g. Taxi Kurir, Sverigetaxi via the Cabonline app, and Taxi Stockholm) are readily available for airport and hotel transfers. The venue's own Scandic Talk hotel sits directly next to Stockholmsmassan for delegates wanting to stay on-site.

Ride-hailing

Taxis

Public transit

Car rentals

Cultural notes

Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

Business-only trade fair

Formex is an industry trade fair, not open to the general public; visitors must be working professionals in interior design, gifts, or related trades, and the fair enforces a minimum visitor age of 15 (children under 3 in strollers are admitted).

Buying, not browsing

Formex is explicitly a buying fair: visitors are there to place orders and make purchases rather than browse as retail shoppers, so exhibitors expect trade-level conversations and order-taking, not casual retail sales.

Cashless venue

Stockholmsmassan operates as a cashless facility; most major credit cards (Amex, Diners, Mastercard, Visa, Maestro) are accepted, but visitors should not expect to pay with cash anywhere on site, including cloakrooms.

Punctual, orderly transit culture

Swedes place high value on punctuality and queueing norms; commuter trains to Alvsjo run frequently (every 6-12 minutes at peak times) and are typically clean, quiet, and reliably on schedule, reflecting broader Swedish transit culture.

Practical guides

Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

Flights

Destination: Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)

Visa

Whether a visa is required depends on nationality: EU/EEA and Schengen visa-waiver country citizens (including the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and others) can attend Formex visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; citizens of non-visa-exempt countries must obtain a Schengen (Type C) visa before travelling.

Estimated cost: Not yet confirmed

Processing: Around 15 calendar days standard processing for a Schengen visa application, potentially up to 30-45 days; visa-exempt travellers need no advance processing time.

Business visitors from non-visa-exempt countries should apply for a Schengen visa through a Swedish embassy/consulate or an authorised external service provider such as VFS Global well before the August 25-27, 2026 event dates. Sweden's planned ETIAS requirement for visa-exempt travellers, expected by late 2026, may add a short online authorisation step travellers should verify current requirements closer to the event.

Official

Hotels

Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.

Areas to stay

Alvsjo (adjacent to the venue) · Central Stockholm near Stockholm Central Station (short commuter-train ride to Alvsjo) · Sodermalm · Kungsholmen · Norrmalm/Ostermalm

budget

$60-100/night

mid range

$80-300/night

premium

$250-450/night

Transport

Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

Airport → venue: Direct commuter train from Arlanda Airport to Alvsjo station takes about 47-49 minutes; Bromma Airport is closer by distance (about 9-10 km) but requires a taxi or bus-plus-train combination.

Hotel → venue: Scandic Talk is about a 1-minute walk from the venue; hotels in central Stockholm are roughly a 9-10 minute commuter-train ride to Alvsjo station next to Stockholmsmassan.

Ride-hail: Taxi apps such as Cabonline (Taxi Kurir, Sverigetaxi) and Taxi Stockholm operate throughout Stockholm and can reach the venue from the city center in about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.

Public transit: SL (Stockholm public transport) commuter trains, metro line 19/14, and local buses (144, 165, 173, 791) all serve Alvsjo station directly beside Stockholmsmassan.

Parking: Approximately 2,000 on-site parking spaces plus about 300 nearby, including 24 EV charging stations in the garage at entrance P2; paid at the posted rate.

Weather

Plan and pack for the event climate.

Month: August

Temperature: Average highs around 20C (68F)

Seasonality: Stockholm in August typically has mild weather; rain is possible year-round including summer.

Packing: Bring a light jacket or layers in case of rain or cooler evenings.

Itinerary builder

Add priorities and side trips to make the most of your visit.

Add side trips

Plan your trip

Planning

Best day to visit: 2026-08-25

Tuesday, August 25 combines the longest published opening hours of the three days (09:30-19:00, versus 09:30-18:00 on Wednesday and 09:30-16:00 on Thursday) with a full official Formex Talks and workshop programme running roughly 11:00-16:45, per the event's own published schedule.

T-90

Review Formex product categories and browse the official exhibitor list to shortlist target companies — Use the online exhibitor list at exhibit.stockholmsmassan.se to plan which halls/brands to prioritize.

T-60

Book flights and accommodation near Älvsjö or central Stockholm — The on-site hotel (Scandic Talk) sits next to the venue; central Stockholm hotels are a 9-minute commuter train ride away.

T-30

Buy your entry ticket online in advance — Online tickets are cheaper than paying at the door (a 50 SEK service fee applies for entrance purchases).

T-21

Confirm ticket/badge confirmation email — Keep confirmation accessible on your phone or printed for entry.

T-14

Plan your travel route to Älvsjö station — Both buses and the pendeltåg (commuter train) stop at Älvsjö station next to Stockholmsmässan.

T-10

Shortlist exhibitors and sessions to prioritize — Cross-reference the exhibitor list with the published Formex Talks/workshop program.

T-7

Build a personal schedule around the Formex Talks and workshop programme — Sessions run roughly 11:00-16:45 on the first two days at the Formex scen (A20:20) and workshop area (A20:19).

T-3

Note each day's opening hours — Tue Aug 25: 09:30-19:00; Wed Aug 26: 09:30-18:00; Thu Aug 27: 09:30-16:00.

T-1

Confirm parking or transit plan and check accessibility needs — Around 2,000 garage/open-area parking spaces plus ~300 nearby spaces are available; EV charging is on-site.

T-0

Bring valid ID (and student ID if using a student ticket) — Formex is a trade show with a minimum age of 15; children under 3 in strollers are welcome.

Sample visitor itinerary

Route-optimised day