Bold Light 2026:
Targeted Purchasing and Networking
On March 2nd, Dutch, German and Belgium optical professionals gathered for Bold Light 2026, a compact industry event organised by Bold Optical Fair.
Unlike the scale of international trade shows, Bold Light 2026 is designed as a targeted purchasing event, giving opticians the opportunity to explore collections, place orders and connect with suppliers in a calm and efficient setting. For many visitors, that format is exactly what makes the event valuable.
Bold Light 2026 Demonstrates the Need for Efficient Buying Events
The recent edition of Bold Light 2026 showed that the need for a well-organised and efficient purchasing event remains strong within the optical industry. With a solid turnout and engaged visitors, the organisers can look back on a successful exhibition day.
This year’s edition introduced a modified floor plan with a clear and logical walking route. Quickly described by visitors as the “IKEA route”, the layout guided attendees through the exhibition space while ensuring that every participating brand received attention.
Instead of rushed visits or quick laps across the floor, the design encouraged longer conversations and focused purchasing discussions.
Meaningful Contact Defines Bold Light 2026
That quality of interaction once again proved to be the strength of Bold Light 2026.
Strong brands, an engaged audience and a relaxed atmosphere created the conditions for productive meetings between suppliers and opticians. Rather than fleeting encounters, visitors had the opportunity to truly explore collections and discuss business.
In many ways, the event reflects the same philosophy that drives independent eyewear, quality over quantity.
Looking Ahead to Bold XXL
Following the success of Bold Light 2026, the organisers are already looking ahead to the next chapter.
On September 6 and 7, the industry will gather for Bold XXL, marking the tenth anniversary of the Bold Optical Fair. This milestone edition will not only look forward, but will also reflect on ten years of entrepreneurship, connection and growth within the optical industry.
For many opticians and brands, Bold has evolved into more than just a trade fair. It has become a meeting place where independent eyewear continues to build its future.
About Bold Optical Fair
BOLD Optical Fair 2026
BOLD XXL Eyewear Trade Show Netherlands
September 6-7, 2026
De Brabanthallen, Den Bosch, The Netherlands
BOLD Optical Fair 2026, also known as BOLD XXL, is the Netherlands’ leading independent eyewear and optics trade show. Hosted at De Brabanthallen in Den Bosch, the fair brings together passionate designers, opticians, and innovators. Known for its creative spirit and welcoming atmosphere, BOLD XXL is the meeting point for independent brands that push the boundaries of design and quality.
Square meters
Brands
Visitors 2024
BOLD Optical Fair 2026 will offer much more than a standard optical trade fair in the Netherlands. This edition will feature a wide selection of independent eyewear brands, exclusive product launches, and inspiring presentations that highlight both creativity and craftsmanship. By bringing together opticians, designers, and international exhibitors, BOLD XXL 2026 in Den Bosch creates a platform where business opportunities meet artistic vision. For professionals eager to explore the latest eyewear trends, it is the event that sets the tone for the coming season.
Key Facts Bold Optical Fair 2026: Dates and Location
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Dates: September 6-7, 2026
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Venue: De Brabanthallen, ’s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch), Netherlands
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Focus: Independent eyewear & optics
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Audience: Opticians, designers, brand owners, eyewear retailers
Why BOLD XXL 2026 is the Place to Be
Every year, BOLD XXL transforms De Brabanthallen into the creative hub of the eyewear world. Unlike mass-market exhibitions, Bold Optical Fair is dedicated to showcasing independent eyewear brands that combine craftsmanship, originality, and passion.
"With so many confirmed brands, new elements, and the trusted BOLD ambiance, BOLD XXL is once again shaping up to be the optical event of the year."
At BOLD Optical Fair 2025, visitors will discover new collections, connect with designers in an intimate setting, and be inspired by the diversity of independent eyewear. This is not just an optical trade fair in the Netherlands; it’s a celebration of the artistry and innovation that define true eyewear culture.
Eyewear Trends at Bold Optical Fair 2025
The fair is a hotspot for spotting upcoming eyewear trends. From bold color statements to minimalist frames, sustainable materials, and avant-garde silhouettes, BOLD XXL has become the stage where tomorrow’s eyewear directions are first revealed. Opticians attending gain valuable insights into trends that will soon reach their own stores.
Networking and Community Spirit
Bold Optical Fair 2025 offers a unique, welcoming atmosphere where professionals connect on a personal level. Whether you are a store owner, designer, or brand representative, the fair provides a space for building collaborations, sharing ideas, and celebrating the independent eyewear community.
Highlights of BOLD Optical Fair 2026 (BOLD XXL)
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Independent Brands
Meet some of the most creative and disruptive eyewear designers. -
Product Launches
Be the first to see new collections unveiled for the season. -
Networking Opportunities
Intimate setting for meaningful business connections. -
Inspirational Setting
De Brabanthallen offers a spacious, accessible venue in the Netherlands.
Staying Connected with Bold Optical Fair
The conversation continues beyond the fair. With regular updates, digital features, and media coverage by platforms like TEF Magazine, the Bold XXL Optical Fair keeps the independent eyewear community connected all year round.
More news on BOLD
Bold Light 2026 // A Fresh Spring Edition Reimagined
Bold Light 2026 marks a refreshed spring edition of the Bold Optical Fair, bringing a compact format, a newly renovated industrial hall and a strong mix of over one hundred brands. The event focuses on clarity, creativity and efficient buying for opticians preparing their spring collections. With 70 percent already booked, this edition promises renewed energy and a sharp start to the season.
BOLD XXL 2025 // The Benelux Optical Trade Show That Connects the Industry
BOLD XXL 2025 brought the optical industry together in Den Bosch on September 7–8. As the largest optical trade show in the Benelux, it offered inspiration, innovation, and community through spaces like the Luxury Lounge and Ooggezondheidsplein. Independent opticians and global brands alike valued the Bold Optical Fair as the ideal place to network, buy new collections, and strengthen connections.
BOLD XXL 2025 // Bigger, Bolder, Brabanthallen
Join us at BOLD XXL 2025 on September 7–8 in Den Bosch. With over 335 brands and the all-new Eyecare Square for modern optical talks, this vibrant show remains a personal favorite and a must for every independent optician.
Bold Light // A Curated Showcase of Eyewear Excellence
Bold Light is set for March 24, 2025, at the 1931 Congress Centre in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, featuring over 135 brands.
TEFtalkBOLD // FFIN Eyewear
I sit down with the brilliant Anna Lewis, the creative force behind the award-winning independent eyewear brand FFIN, to discuss her latest retro-inspired frame design. Known for pushing the boundaries of eyewear design, Anna shares how she combines vintage aesthetics with cutting-edge materials and technology to create this bold, modern frame that is both stylish and functional.
BOLD XXL // International Allure in the Dutch World of Optics
On 8 and 9 September 2024, the Brabanthallen transformed into the epicenter of the optics world, hosting BOLD XXL, the premier optics trade fair of the Benelux region—and beyond! With over 360 brands and an impressive turnout of 2,772 visitors (including 376 from Germany and 147 from Belgium), this year’s event was nothing short of a triumph.
BOLD XXL // Uniting the optical world
At the heart of the Dutch optical scene, BOLD XXL stands as a beacon of unity. This esteemed tradeshow is all set to unveil the best of what’s new in the industry this year.
BOLD XXL // Experiencing Excellence on a Grand Scale
The much-anticipated Bold Optical Fair is not simply another run-of-the-mill event. It’s a spectacular showcase of more than 340 distinctive brands. The fair features an expansive BOLD stage, a dynamic experience square captivating attendees, and a dedicated restaurant for the utmost comfort. Offering a variety of engaging activities, this fair transcends being just a show – it’s a bona fide experience.
Bold Optical Fair // On the Move
A new and larger venue has been found for Bold Optical Fair. The next edition of the Dutch optical event will take place at the “Brabanthallen” in Den Bosch on 8 and 9 September 2024. With this move, BOLD XXL not only increases the space for exhibitors but...
BOLD Optical Fair // Hottest show of the year
The September edition of Bold Optical Fair, the optical event for the Netherlands and neighboring regions, turned out to be the hottest show of the year. Not only because of the exceptionally warm weather, but much more because of the 411 brands that presented their...
