Russia’s Premier International Lighting Exhibition
INTERLIGHT, Russia’s leading international exhibition for lighting, electrical engineering, and smart city solutions, is set to return for its 2026 edition. The event will take place from October 27–30, 2026 at Pavilion 1 of the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre in Moscow. With over 30 years of history since its founding in 1995, INTERLIGHT has established itself as the premier lighting event in Russia, Eastern Europe, and the CIS region.
Exhibition Scale and Impact
The 2025 edition demonstrated the exhibition’s significant market position, attracting 26,402 professional visitors from 82 regions of Russia and 32 countries worldwide. The exhibition featured 365 brands and 303 participating companies, with China represented by 126 exhibitors as a core international presence.
Visitor Profile (2025 data):
| Sector | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Distribution / Wholesale Trade | 24% |
| Retail | 18% |
| Industry / Manufacturing | 15% |
| Architecture / Design | 14% |
| Development / Construction / Engineering | 14% |
| Installation / Integration | 8% |
| Urban Infrastructure Management | 7% |
Key visitor statistics:
- 51% of visitors attend specifically to find new suppliers
- 44% visited the exhibition for the first time, indicating strong market development potential
- 60% are interested in technical lighting
- 59% are interested in decorative lighting
- 43% are interested in architectural lighting
- 32% of visitors are business owners/entrepreneurs
- 21% are department heads
- 50% of attendees come to the exhibition seeking new suppliers
Exhibition Coverage
INTERLIGHT presents a comprehensive range of lighting and electrical engineering products and solutions:
Lighting Categories:
- Technical lighting: LED systems, emergency and evacuation lighting, industrial and commercial lighting
- Decorative and architectural lighting
- Outdoor and urban lighting
- Festive and holiday lighting
- Museum and exhibition lighting
- Agricultural lighting (phyto-lamps and grow lights)
- Components and electrical engineering
Smart Solutions (co-located exhibition):
- Building automation and smart home systems
- Integrated security systems
- Smart city technologies and urban infrastructure solutions
Exhibition Highlights
Business Programme: Over four days, the exhibition features an extensive programme of practical masterclasses, lectures, forums, business breakfasts, and panel discussions with leading lighting industry experts, government officials, architects, designers, and developers.
Thematic Guided Tours: Specialised exhibition tours are organised for developers, designers, architects, electrical installers, and government representatives.
Light + Smart Practicum: A new practical format offering masterclasses and workshops for lighting designers, architects, and integrators.
“Russian Light Design” Competition: Russia’s premier competition for lighting design professionals, now in its 24th year, promoting the profession and recognising excellence.
Trend Zones: Immersive trend areas showcasing the latest design directions, including the 2025 space-themed zone by SWG and the “Design Stories” exhibition by Avdeev Crystal.
Young Lighting Scientists Competition: Organised in partnership with the Russian National Committee of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE Russia), this competition identifies promising young specialists and students in the field of lighting science. Finalists present their research during the exhibition.
Strategic Importance for International Exhibitors
Market Context: The Russian lighting market was valued at approximately $4.7–4.9 billion in 2025**, with the LED segment growing by **20%** to reach about **$3.6 billion. Russian domestic production covers only 15–20% of market demand, creating significant opportunities for international suppliers.
Import Substitution Opportunity: Major international brands including ABB, Panasonic, and Philips have exited the Russian market, creating a gap that Chinese manufacturers and other international suppliers are well-positioned to fill. Chinese lighting exports to Russia reached $1.215 billion in 2024, with LED products accounting for 70% of that total.
Government Support: The Russian government actively supports the modernisation of municipal lighting infrastructure, cultural and sports venues, and urban beautification projects, creating sustained demand for lighting products and smart solutions.
Visitor and Exhibitor Information
Dates: October 27–30, 2026
Opening Hours: 10:00–18:00 (October 27–29), 10:00–16:00 (October 30)
Venue: Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre, Pavilion 1, Moscow
Admission: Free with online pre-registration (registration opens in summer 2026)
Getting There:
- Metro: Myakinino station (first carriage from centre, exit to Crocus Expo)
- By car: MKAD external side (66 km) – turn into Crocus City after Volokolamsk Highway
- Parking: Free parking available on Crocus Expo grounds
INTERLIGHT 2026 stands as the essential annual gathering for Russia’s lighting industry and one of the most important lighting events in Eastern Europe. With its comprehensive product coverage spanning technical, decorative, and architectural lighting, strong international participation, and the co-located Smart City & Home exhibition covering building automation and integrated security, the event offers an indispensable platform for discovering innovations, establishing business partnerships, and navigating the rapidly evolving Russian lighting market. For international suppliers, particularly from China, the exhibition represents a primary gateway to one of the world’s fastest-growing lighting markets.
