Blacksmith Meetings, Festivals & Trade Fairs
Blacksmiths are a sociable bunch. Craftsmen's gatherings have a long tradition, not least because lifelong friendships were often formed on the journey...
And if you're organizing an interesting meeting yourself or have a tip for an event, you can easily let us know via our contact form or by email! Thank you :)
Forge In - David Cooper Blacksmiths (GB) 29 Mai 2026 more information: https://baba.org.uk/Events/details/93/BABA-AGM-and-Conference-2026
This traditional event, now in its 38th year, features select blacksmithing teams creating unique works of art before the eyes of visitors. The finished piece will become part of Helfstyn Castle's blacksmithing collection, which already boasts over 1,300 exhibits. Visitors can watch the master craftsmen at work in the historic castle forge located in the third courtyard, near the castle entrance. The forum takes place from Sunday to Friday (August 23–28, 2026), excluding Mondays. Further information is available at https://helfstyn.cz/akce-na-hrade-helfstyn/kovarske-forum-xxxviii-rocnik
Don't miss the 44th annual traditional international blacksmiths' meeting in Helfstyn! What awaits you? Blacksmithing demonstrations at 10 workshops, including the historic castle forge, an open-air exhibition, blacksmithing competitions, lectures in the gallery in the second courtyard, and much more. More information at: https://helfstyn.cz/akce-na-hrade-helfstyn/hefaiston-xliv-mezinarodni-setkani-umeleckych-kovaru
STIA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF BLACKSMITHING ART: THREE DAYS OF IRON, ART AND CONTEMPORARY CULTURE FROM 4 TO 6 SEPTEMBER On the 50th anniversary of the European Biennial of Blacksmithing Art, the Casentino village once again becomes an international capital of forging. Among the most eagerly awaited events is the unveiling of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Third Paradise” in wrought iron. Fifty years of fire, iron, creativity and community. From 4 to 6 September 2026, Stia will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Biennial of Blacksmithing Art, an event that since 1976 has linked this Casentino village to the art of forging, making it over the years a key meeting point for blacksmiths, artists and enthusiasts from different countries. For three days, the historic centre will come alive with live forging, talks, contemporary art, workshops, music and events throughout the town, with a programme that looks both to the history of the Biennial and to its future. The celebrations will open on Friday 4 September in Piazza Tanucci with the official 50th anniversary ceremony. From the morning onwards, in Piazza Mazzini, visitors will be able to watch blacksmiths at work creating the new entrance gate for the green area of the S.T.I.A. Academy, based on the winning project of the 10th “Pier Luigi della Bordella” International Design and Drawing Competition of the 2025 Biennial. In the afternoon, the Teatro Comunale will host the conference “50 Years of Fire… Between Anvil and Hammer”, retracing half a century of the event’s history, while the evening will be dedicated to music. The most eagerly awaited moment will come on Saturday 5 September, when wrought iron will meet one of the leading figures of Italian contemporary art. At 5 p.m. at the Teatro Comunale, Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Third Paradise”, reinterpreted in wrought iron by master blacksmiths, will be presented. Speakers will include Francesco Saverio Teruzzi of Fondazione Pistoletto Cittadellarte, together with curators Loris Innocenti and Tommaso Venco of Hexisart. The work will then be officially unveiled at the Parco delle Terme del Palagio Fiorentino, becoming part of the permanent collection of the Municipality of Pratovecchio Stia and of the project for a diffuse open-air art museum across the area. Also on Saturday morning, the Teatro Comunale will host a meeting dedicated to Europe, local communities and culture, organised in collaboration with the Europe Direct Centre of the University of Siena and Bottega del Cittadino Europeo, while Piazza Mazzini will continue to be the heart of live forging activities. Younger generations will also be involved through free forging workshops for children aged 6 to 12, led by Daphne Kooistra. The day will end in Piazza Tanucci with the 50th Anniversary Celebration. On Sunday 6 September, the Biennial will broaden its focus further to the surrounding area. Highlights will include the donation to the Parish of Stia of a cross created by Užventis MENE, Lithuania, and the inauguration of the new itinerant Art Trail through the town, designed to bring artworks beyond traditional exhibition spaces and strengthen the dialogue between art, iron and the urban landscape. At 11.30 a.m. in Piazza Tanucci, the closing ceremony will also be an opportunity to look ahead, with the presentation of the 27th European Biennial of Blacksmithing Art 2027. Throughout the weekend, visitors will also be able to visit the Wrought Iron Museum at the Stia Wool Mill free of charge, while the town centre will host the Food Village and the Biennial InfoPoint. Fifty years after its first edition, Stia once again gathers around fire and iron to celebrate not only an event, but a heritage of knowledge, relationships and craftsmanship that belongs to the community and continues to renew itself through dialogue with contemporary art and culture. PRESS OFFICE – EUROPEAN BIENNIAL OF BLACKSMITHING ART Laura Casciotti – laura.casciotti@gmail.com – +39 340 302 1855 Silvia Poledrini – silvia.poledrini@gmail.com – +39 349 476 3830
The 2026 Charcoal Burner Festival will take place on September 5 and 6 at the Ironworks Museum in Trippstadt. Highlights include a traditional charcoal pile burn, a blacksmithing festival, a church service held at the charcoal pile, a children's flea market, a special exhibition at the Ironworks Museum, and concerts by the Trippstadt band. Organizers: The Trippstadt Charcoal Burner Festival Association in cooperation with the local municipality. The 2026 Charcoal Burner Festival brings the centuries-old tradition of charcoal burning in the Palatinate Forest to life. For two days, the historic festival grounds at the Ironworks Museum will be defined by the charcoal pile burn, blacksmithing demonstrations, and local customs.
60 competitors representing 16 countries to compete for $176,000.00 in prize money $75,000 will go to the 2026 World Champion! EVENT LOCATION 18011 Spruce Meadows Way SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2X 4B7 further informations see https://www.worldchampionshipblacksmiths.com
Erlebe das Handwerk! Am Samstag, 12. und Sonntag, 13. September 2026 finden jeweils von 11.00 bis 18.00 Uhr die 4. Schmiede- & Mitmachtage auf dem Gelände der W. Krenzer Werkzeugfabrik statt (Peddenöde 5, 58256 Ennepetal). Weitere Informationen unter https://wkrenzer.de/schmiede-mitmachtage/
vom 19-20. September 2026 in der Oldtimerscheune Ottersheim in 76879 Ottersheim bei Landau more information: https://www.oldtimerfreunde-ottersheim.de/oldtimerscheune/scheune/scheune.html
Gotha glüht (D) 28. Internationales Metallgestaltertreffen more information: https://www.gotha-glueht.de
Veranstaltung rund um das Thema Messergestaltung more information: https://messer-feuer-stahl.de/
Europäische Leitmesse für Denkmalpflege und Restaurierung. Ein Pflichttermin für die Fachwelt. more information: https://www.hwk-pfalz.de/artikel/nacht-des-handwerks-2026-in-kaiserslautern-51,0,5136.html
Weitere Informationen unter https://olchingblog.de/messerarbeitskreis-olching-20-olchinger-messertage-2
The "Association les copains d'enclume" artistic blacksmiths' gathering is taking place for the second time in Celles-sur-Belle (79370), France. For more information, contact copainsdenclume.79@gmail.com.
https://www.ironnotes.eu/events/tallinn-estonia-october-november-2026/
Europäische Leitmesse für Denkmalpflege und Restaurierung. Ein Pflichttermin für die Fachwelt. more information: https://www.denkmal-leipzig.de/
Eisenberg - Pfalz Der Förderverein Römischer Vicus Eisenberg e.V. lädt Sie herzlich ein zum Metallurgie Symposium 2027 nach Eisenberg (Pfalz). Weitere Informationen unter https://vicus-eisenberg.de/ beziehungsweise https://metallurgiesymposium.eu/
Internationales Schmiedetreffen (D) - 14-16 Mai 2027 Metallhandwerksmuseum Steinbach-Hallenberg more information: https://www.metallhandwerksmuseum.de/
Eisenberg - Pfalz Der Förderverein Römischer Vicus Eisenberg e.V. lädt Sie herzlich ein zum Metallurgie Symposium 2027 nach Eisenberg (Pfalz). Weitere Informationen unter https://vicus-eisenberg.de/ beziehungsweise https://metallurgiesymposium.eu/
Obermaiselstein Blacksmithing Festival (Germany) Following the fantastic 2025 gathering, here comes the next edition hosted by Franz Hiller! Franz Hiller—the original—from Obermaiselstein is hosting another event and invites you all to join in! Let’s come together in Obermaiselstein from August 6–8, 2027, for a festival dedicated to iron, fire, and tradition. What to expect: Forging together in a spirit of camaraderie at multiple fire stations Equipment provided: coal forges, a press, and a power hammer You only need to bring your own tools and materials Proceeds from any items made and sold will go to a good cause Live music, show acts, and a lively crowd of spectators will create a great atmosphere It will be a celebration of the blacksmithing craft and community—an experience for us all to share and enjoy. I hope you’ll be there! Are you interested in joining us or forging along? Best regards, Franz Event location: 87538 Obermaiselstein (Bavaria) / Germany
vom 3. bis 6. September 2027 The Casentino Valley is ready to welcome the XXVII European Biennial Show of Blacksmithing Art: all of the volunteers of our Association, supported by the entire town of Stia, are already working hard to organise the next edition which will be held from 03. to 6 September 2027. From 3 to 6 September 2027 – The 27th Edition of the European Biennial of Blacksmith Art Returns to Stia, Tuscany Forging, applied arts, and design. From 3 to 6 September 2027, the town of Stia, in the province of Arezzo (Tuscany), will host the 27th edition of the European Biennial of Blacksmith Art – an international event dedicated to the craftsmanship and artistic expression of wrought iron. The Biennial is promoted and organized by the Autonomous Association for the Biennial of Blacksmith Art in Stia and the Municipality of Pratovecchio Stia. For four days, blacksmiths from all over the world will gather in this charming Tuscan village in the Casentino Valley to share techniques, exchange ideas and best practices, and spark creativity. Since 1976, the Stia Biennial – the world’s longest-running exhibition of artistic wrought iron – has transformed the town’s squares and streets into an open-air workshop. The event preserves and celebrates an ancient craft deeply rooted in the local culture while projecting it into the future, reimagining ironwork for contemporary society. The Biennial is also an opportunity to bring a wider audience closer to the value of handcrafted and artistic ironwork. Live forging demonstrations, exhibitions of wrought iron pieces, conferences, markets, children’s workshops, music, and other side events will allow visitors to see forging techniques up close and interact with artisans. THE BIENNIAL IN EUROPE As an international centre of excellence, Stia is an active member of the Ring of the European Cities of Iron Works, a network established in 2003 that brings together Europe’s most important wrought iron traditions through cultural exchanges and shared projects. This year, the Biennial is also part of the European project Iron Notes, co-funded by the EU under the Creative Europe Programme. Partners include the LAB University of Applied Sciences (Finland, project coordinator), the Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia), Oslo National Academy of the Arts (Norway), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Finnish forging company ME-talli Oy, and – for Italy – the Biennial of Stia. Ufficio stampa: laura casciotti – laura.casciotti@gmail.com +39 340 302 1855 silvia poledrini – silvia.poledrini@gmail.com +39 349 476 3830
Eisenberg - Pfalz Der Förderverein Römischer Vicus Eisenberg e.V. lädt Sie herzlich ein zum Metallurgie Symposium 2029 nach Eisenberg (Pfalz). Weitere Informationen unter https://vicus-eisenberg.de/ beziehungsweise https://metallurgiesymposium.eu/
Eisenberg - Pfalz Der Förderverein Römischer Vicus Eisenberg e.V. lädt Sie herzlich ein zum Metallurgie Symposium 2029 nach Eisenberg (Pfalz). Weitere Informationen unter https://vicus-eisenberg.de/ beziehungsweise https://metallurgiesymposium.eu/