GaLaBau 2026: These Highlights Visitors Should Keep an Eye on in Nuremberg
In mid-September, Nuremberg will once again become a meeting point for the green sector. From September 15 to 18, 2026, GaLaBau will bring together around 1,100 exhibitors and professional visitors from garden and landscape construction, landscape architecture, municipalities, and planning. With the guiding theme 'Climate-fit for the Future', the focus will be on climate adaptation, digitalization, new machines, and securing skilled workers.
In addition to products for planning, construction, and maintenance of green and open spaces, the 2026 fair is heavily focused on practical demonstrations and new formats. Machines can be experienced live in the outdoor area, digital solutions are highlighted in the new FUTURE SPACE, and e-mobility, nurturing young talent, and the role of women in the industry are being given increased attention.
Visitors should keep an eye on these highlights
Digitalization moves from the office to the construction site
New this year: the FUTURE SPACE in Hall 3C, which for the first time addresses digitalization and AI collectively. The range includes digital planning tools, paperless processes to skilled workforce recruitment. Those wanting to know what works in practice can find answers for comparison here. In the outdoor area, electric excavators, wheel loaders, and trucks operate under real conditions. The E-Mobility Area showcases what the market can deliver today. Action areas for earthmoving and landscape maintenance complement the picture. The GREEN-BLUE PATH serves as a thematic tour through the entire exhibition grounds, focusing solutions on climate adaptation, biodiversity, and sustainable open space design. There are three formats for newcomers and staff: on September 16 and 17, trainees compete in the Landscape Gardener Cup. The GaLaBau CAMP targets industry newcomers seeking networks and orientation. New is women@GaLaBau, which premieres on September 16 and addresses topics such as careers, leadership, and women's health in the industry. One of the most noticeable innovations is the FUTURE SPACE. The new format in Hall 3C aims to demonstrate how digital technologies can already be used in garden and landscape construction today. This involves more than just individual software solutions. AI-assisted planning, digital construction documentation, cloud systems, and seamless data chains are intended to better interconnect processes from initial measurement to final acceptance. Cybersecurity and digital skilled worker recruitment are also part of the program. For businesses, digitalization is increasingly becoming an economic question. When information flows without interruption between office, construction site, planners, and clients, it can reduce errors and coordination efforts.
Electric Machines in Practical Test
Electromobility continues to be a main focus. In the E-Mobility Area, electric trucks, wheel loaders, excavators, telehandlers, and other electric work machines are shown in action. Professional visitors can directly compare which application possibilities the technology now offers. Especially for gardening and landscaping companies, not only emissions play a role. Operating costs, noise pollution, and requirements for inner-city construction sites can make electric machines economically more interesting. However, what remains crucial is how range, charging infrastructure, and acquisition costs are presented in everyday operations.
Climate adaptation becomes a core task
With the GREEN-BLUE PATH, GaLaBau also focuses on solutions for climate-adapted cities and open spaces. Green spaces, water management, and biodiversity are increasingly viewed together.
The topic is becoming increasingly important for municipalities and planners. Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and drought are changing the requirements for public spaces. Green spaces thus take on not only design functions but also become part of urban climate adaptation.
Young talent shows its skills
The shortage of skilled workers remains a challenge for the industry. On September 16 and 17, the Landscape Gardener Cup will see competition for the title of best young professionals. Participants must demonstrate their practical skills in landscape construction under competition conditions. The GaLaBau CAMP provides a meeting point for young landscape gardeners, emerging leaders, and young entrepreneurs. Workshops, networking, and career opportunities are designed to foster exchange within the next generation. New is also women@GaLaBau. This format starts on September 16 and brings together women from the industry. Lectures and discussion rounds will cover career paths, leadership, daily construction site life, and the compatibility of family and business.
Four days for the green industry
The GaLaBau 2026 will take place from September 15 to 18 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center. From Tuesday to Thursday, the fair is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. With around 1,100 exhibitors, the fair offers an overview of the developments that are likely to shape garden and landscape construction in the coming years. It will be particularly interesting to see which solutions for climate adaptation, digitalization, and low-emission machines have already arrived in the daily work routine and where the industry is still at the beginning.