Quilting is truly a global language. In 2027, shows and festivals will take place across six continents, from the Mediterranean coast of Spain to the hills of southern India, from the quilting studios of São Paulo to the exhibition halls of Yokohama. Below is the most comprehensive calendar I have been able to compile for international shows — meaning all shows outside the United States and Canada — organized by region and then by date within each region.
As always, 2027 dates for many shows are still being confirmed. I have included all verified and expected shows, noting where exact dates are TBA. Always check each show’s official website before booking travel or submitting entries, as schedules may change.
EUROPE
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Festival of Quilts | August 2027 (exact dates TBA — typically late July / early August) | NEC Birmingham, UK | Submit: Enter competition
Europe’s largest quilting event, held annually at the NEC in Birmingham. Features over 1,200 quilts, 370+ workshops and lectures, international exhibitions, and a huge vendor marketplace. Competition is open to quilters worldwide with 16 categories and a prize pool of £34,000+. Contest entries typically open in spring.
🇫🇷 France
Carrefour Européen du Patchwork (European Patchwork Meeting) | September 2027 (typically mid-September, 4 days) | Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Alsace, France | Submit: Enter International Contest
One of the world’s top three textile arts events, held annually across four picturesque Alsatian villages. Features 30+ international exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and a 4,500 m² shopping area. The International Contest selects 30 finalists whose quilts then travel the world for two years. Submissions typically open in spring — check the website for the 2027 theme and deadline.
Salon Pour l’Amour du Fil | Typically March/April (2027 dates TBA) | Nantes, France | Contest details TBA
Major French textile festival featuring embroidery, patchwork and fiber arts alongside quilting, held annually in Nantes.
🇪🇸 Spain
Festival Internacional de Patchwork de Sitges | March 9–13, 2027 (approximate — typically mid-March) | Sitges, Catalonia, Spain | Submit: Enter AEP competition
The most important patchwork event in Spain and one of the most popular shows in Europe. Four days of international exhibitions, 100+ vendors, specialized courses, and the AEP quilting competition. Set along the Mediterranean coast of Sitges, one of the most beautiful festival settings in the world.
🇩🇪 Germany
Patchworktage (Patchwork Days) | Typically May (2027 dates TBA) | Moers, Germany | Contest details TBA
One of Germany’s leading quilt shows, held in the charming Rhine city of Moers. Features exhibitions, classes, and vendors. Typically held in May — check the website for 2027 dates.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Patchwork & Quiltdagen | Typically April (2027 dates TBA) | Rijswijk, Netherlands | Contest details TBA
One of the premier international quilting festivals in Europe, drawing quilters from across the world to Rijswijk. Showcases patchwork, quilting, and textile arts. Typically held in April.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic
Prague Patchwork Meeting | Typically April (2027 dates TBA) | Prague, Czech Republic | Contest details TBA
A charming Central European quilting event combining traditional and contemporary quilting with exhibitions, workshops, and a marketplace in the heart of Prague. Typically held in April.
🇸🇪 Sweden
Scandinavian Festival Quilt Show | Typically February (2027 dates TBA) | Jönköping, Sweden | Contest details TBA
One of the largest quilt events in Scandinavia, showcasing the clean lines and nature-inspired designs typical of Nordic quilting. Typically held in February.
SOUTH AMERICA
🇧🇷 Brazil
Festival Internacional de Quilt e Patchwork — QuiltBrasil | Date TBA (typically April, Gramado/RS; note: 2025 was the 28th edition — organizers announced a pause and reimagining of format) | Gramado or Nova Petrópolis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil | Submit: Enter International Quilt Competition
South America’s most established quilt festival, held for 28 editions alternating between Gramado and Nova Petrópolis in the beautiful Serra Gaúcha. Features an international quilt competition, workshops, exhibitions, and a large fair with 50+ booths. Note: after the 2025 edition, organizers announced a pause to reimagine the format — check the website for 2027 news.
Brazil Patchwork & Scrapbooking Show | Typically mid-year (2027 dates TBA) | São Paulo, SP, Brazil | Contest details TBA
São Paulo’s annual patchwork and quilting showcase, presented by the Clube Brasileiro de Patchwork e Quilting. Typically held in the first half of the year.
Floripa Quilt — Festival de Patchwork e Arte Têxtil | Typically mid-year (2027 dates TBA) | Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil | Contest details TBA
A beloved quilting festival in Florianópolis, celebrating patchwork and textile arts with courses, exhibitions, and a quilt competition from guilds across Brazil.
MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
🇲🇽 Mexico
Expo Patchwork México | 2027 dates TBA | Mexico City / Guadalajara, Mexico | Contest details TBA
Mexico’s main patchwork and quilting event, bringing together quilters from across the country and Latin America. Check the website for 2027 dates and locations.
ASIA
🇯🇵 Japan
World Quilt Festival — Yokohama (5th Edition) | January 27–29, 2027 | PACIFICO Yokohama, Hall A, Yokohama, Japan | Submit: Enter World Quilt Award
The 5th edition of Japan’s premier international quilt event, organized by the Japan Quilt Association. Features approximately 150 carefully selected quilts from Japan and around the world (including the USA, Taiwan, South Korea, and more), 100+ market booths, workshops, and the concurrent World Quilt Award competition. Important note: the originally planned January 2027 event was moved to November 2026 (WQF2026) — the next edition is now confirmed for January 2027 as the 5th edition. Verify dates with the official website.
🇮🇳 India
India International Quilt Festival (IIQF) | January 20–23, 2027 | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | Submit: Enter competition
India’s only international quilt festival, organized by the Quilt India Foundation. Features competitions across multiple categories including Traditional Quilts, Contemporary Quilts, Indian Quilts, Pictorial Art Quilts, Miniature Quilts, and Theme Quilts. Held annually in January in Chennai — India’s cultural capital and textile hub. Also includes workshops, a makers’ market, vendor booths, and lectures.
🇹🇼 Taiwan
Taipei International Quilt Exhibition | Typically October (2027 dates TBA) | Taipei, Taiwan | Contest details TBA
An important quilting event in Asia, typically held in October in Taipei, combining traditional Chinese textile arts with contemporary quilting in a distinctly East-meets-West approach.
🇰🇷 South Korea
Korea Quilt Festival | 2027 dates TBA | South Korea (venue TBA) | Contest details TBA
A growing quilting event in Korea, where tradition meets modern innovation. Check the official website for 2027 updates.
AUSTRALIA & OCEANIA
🇦🇺 Australia
Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) | Typically April (2027 dates TBA — AQC 2026 was April 9–12) | Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, Victoria | Submit: Enter Australian Quilt Show
Australia’s premier quilting event, held annually at the magnificent Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. Features four days of quilting classes with international tutors, an extensive retail expo, and the Australian Quilt Show competition — a national juried competition with prizes totaling $32,000+. The winning quilts then travel to Craft & Quilt Fairs in Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra.
Craft & Quilt Fair — Sydney | Typically June/July (2027 dates TBA) | ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney, NSW | Contest details TBA
Part of the national Craft & Quilt Fair circuit, showcasing the Australian Quilt Show competition alongside exhibitors, demos, seminars, and a makers’ market.
Craft & Quilt Fair — Melbourne | Typically September (2027 dates TBA — 2026 was September 9–12) | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne | Contest details TBA
Craft & Quilt Fair — Brisbane | Typically October (2027 dates TBA) | Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Bank, Brisbane, QLD | Contest details TBA
Modern Quilt Show Australia | Typically March (2027 dates TBA — 2026 was March 13–15) | Sydney, NSW (Petersham Town Hall) | Submit: Enter competition
Presented by the Sydney and Wollongong Modern Quilt Guilds, this show celebrates the best of modern quilting from across Australia. Competition, workshops, special exhibits, and talks. Entries typically close in November of the prior year.
AFRICA
🇿🇦 South Africa
South African National Quilt Festival | Biennial — 2027 dates TBA (check website) | South Africa (venue varies) | Contest details TBA
A biennial celebration of quilting showcasing both local and international talent. Features workshops, lectures, and a competition with categories including a themed challenge. South African quilters draw inspiration from the country’s rich textile traditions including Zulu beadwork and other regional art forms.
🇰🇪 Kenya
Kenya Quilt Guild Annual Exhibition | Typically September (2027 dates TBA) | Nairobi, Kenya | Contest details TBA
An annual event promoting quilting in Kenya, showcasing the beauty and artistry of Kenyan quilts and supporting the growing quilting community. Typically held in September.
Important note: Many 2027 international show dates are still being confirmed as of early 2026. Shows marked TBA should be verified directly with each show’s official website. Dates for recurring annual shows are estimated based on historical patterns. For the most current entry deadlines and competition rules, always visit the official website of each event.
Is there a show missing from this list? I’d love to hear about it — contact me at carolinaoneto.com and I’ll add it.