With just a few weeks to go, anticipation is building as Glee prepares to return to Spring Fair this February, marking its first appearance at the event in six years.
Hosted at the NEC Birmingham, Glee @ Spring Fair 2026 signals the launch of a refreshed spring edition – designed to support garden retailers earlier in the buying cycle while positioning garden products firmly within the wider retail landscape.
A curated mix of brands for early season buying
Timed to coincide with early season trading, the new spring edition brings together a carefully curated group of garden and outdoor living brands, giving buyers the opportunity to finalise orders, top up ranges and reconnect with suppliers, while responding to in-season demand. It also provides a valuable chance to discover brands they may not have encountered at Glee’s September flagship event.
Confirmed exhibitors include Botanica Intl Ltd, Fern & Forge, Green Tones, Hunter Stoves, L V Bespoke, Mr Fothergills Seeds Ltd, Rago Planters and Seed Revolution, delivering a diverse mix of products spanning seeds and growing, planters, outdoor leisure essentials and garden décor.
What’s on during the show
Alongside the exhibition, Glee @ Spring Fair will host a strong programme of activity designed to drive discovery, conversation and commercial opportunity.
Day two of the show, Monday, is set to be a key highlight, with the winners of the Glee New Product Showcase revealed. Celebrating the most innovative and commercially exciting new launches from this year’s exhibitors, the showcase will shine a spotlight on product innovation across garden retail. Importantly, the New Product Showcase will remain on display throughout the duration of the show, allowing buyers to explore new products in greater detail.
Monday will also see the highly anticipated announcement of Garden Trade News’ Greatest Christmas Awards. The hotly contested competition has once again attracted thousands of votes from garden centre customers, recognising those centres that went above and beyond during the festive season with standout displays, memorable events and exceptional customer service. With many shortlisted garden centres expected to be in attendance, visitors can expect an extra buzz on the show floor as the industry waits to see who has scooped the top prizes this year.
A central hub for networking and industry support
At the heart of the Glee @ Spring Fair experience will be the GIMA Business Village, acting as a central hub throughout the event. Delivered in partnership with the Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association, the Business Village will provide a lively meeting point for networking and developing new retail partnerships, building on its record-breaking success at Glee 2025.
Further reinforcing the importance of Glee @ Spring Fair to the sector, the show has also secured the support of both the Garden Centre Association and Gardenex, highlighting the value of an early-season garden retail showcase for UK and international audiences alike.
The start of a long-term spring vision
As excitement builds for Glee @ Spring Fair 2026, it’s clear this return marks the start of something much bigger, as Matthew Mein, Event Director of Glee, and Autumn Fair, explains. He said: “With the show just weeks away, the momentum around this spring edition is really building. It’s been created specifically for Glee’s garden retail audience, giving them a timely opportunity to see new product launches, reconnect with key suppliers and fine-tune orders as the season takes shape. At the same time, it reflects the changing face of garden retail, where garden products sit confidently alongside home, lifestyle and gifting. Bringing Glee into Spring Fair allows us to deliver meaningful content and commercial opportunity for our core audience, while placing garden retail firmly within the wider retail conversation.”
Find out more
Glee @ Spring Fair returns to the NEC Birmingham from 1st – 4th February 2026, with Glee located in Hall 6. Registration is now open. Secure your free ticket at https://www.springfair.com/. For more information or to register your interest in exhibiting, visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
