Beauty Events in London

London has the fullest beauty calendar of any city in the world, with trade shows, aesthetics conferences, competitions and glittering awards nights running through every season.

Spring belongs to aesthetics: ACE at the Business Design Centre each March, followed by Wigmore Presents and the BCAM Conference in April and The Aesthetic Show UK in June. Tones of Beauty Expo brings a broad mix of beauty, hair, nails and skin to ExCeL at the start of summer. Each October, ExCeL becomes the hub of the industry, with Professional Beauty London, the World Spa and Wellness Convention, Salon International, Nailympia and the National Massage Championship all landing within a few weeks of each other. Then awards season takes over, from the British Hairdressing Awards in November to the Professional Beauty Awards, the CEW UK Beauty Awards and the Aesthetics Awards in late winter.

Every London beauty event is listed below with dates, venues and who can attend, so you can build your year around the ones that matter to you.

Getting there

London is served by Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City Airport, which is just a short hop from ExCeL. Eurostar arrives at St Pancras. ExCeL has two stations of its own, Custom House on the Elizabeth line and Prince Regent on the DLR. The Business Design Centre is a short walk from Angel on the Northern line, Olympia London is next to Kensington Olympia station, and the Queen Elizabeth II Centre is in Westminster, opposite the Abbey.

Where to stay

For ExCeL shows, the hotels along Royal Victoria Dock put you a few minutes from the halls. Canary Wharf and the City are good alternatives, with quick Elizabeth line links. For the awards nights at Grosvenor House on Park Lane, staying in Mayfair or Marylebone makes the evening easy, and Islington suits events at the Business Design Centre.

Tips for London events

• Check the entry rules. Many London shows are trade only, while several offer free trade tickets when you register in advance.
• October is the busiest month, so book hotels early if you plan to visit several ExCeL shows.
• Awards nights are ticketed and often sell out, so secure tables well ahead.
• Use contactless payment on the Tube, buses and the Elizabeth line to keep travel simple.