2025 XR Events Calendar: Tech Events You Don’t Want to Miss

The XR events calendar for 2025 promises an exciting journey for tech enthusiasts, creators, and innovators worldwide. From immersive XR showcases to groundbreaking AI conferences, this year’s lineup offers something for everyone.
These events provide the perfect opportunity to stay ahead of industry trends, connect with like-minded professionals, and explore the latest advancements shaping the future of technology. Whether you’re diving into spatial computing at AWE, discovering creative collaborations at Cannes Lions, or exploring cutting-edge AI applications at ODSC, the possibilities are endless.
While in the XR Community we love collaborating even thousands of miles apart, exchanging ideas, brainstorming in person, and building networks are vital for success—and for avoiding burnout.
That’s why we’ve created a list of 19 must-visit XR events happening across the globe this year. Whether you’re looking to learn, connect, or get inspired, these events promise to help you grow and gain unforgettable memories.
See the list of XR Events in 2025 worth attending. ⤵️
1. The SPIE AR | MR | VR
We’re starting the year off strong with the first event of 2025 happening as early as this month. The SPIE AR | MR | VR will take place January 27-29, in San Fransisco, California, inviting industry specialists to share their knowledge and experience during networking sessions, conferences, and exhibitions.
Focusing on immersive hardware development, the exhibition will gather all of the latest technologies, encouraging all attendees to gain real-life practice during courses and webinars. It’s the perfect opportunity to boost your contact lists, with some of the leading tech minds all present in one place.
2. Mobile World Congress
The annual MWC exhibition will take place in Barcelona, March 3-6, once again gathering some of the most creative mobile communications specialists. The main goal of the event is, as always, to encourage cooperation to work on progressing the digital evolution for the good of all.
Over 101K attendees will join forces to think about the next step to take in the industry and revolutionize global communication. The efforts will be recognized during the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMOs), with over 200 independent judges and 33 awards. This year, for the first time, the MWC will welcome Marketing Excellence as a new category.
3. SXSW Conference and Festivals
The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival will take place from March 7-15 in Austin, Texas. While technology plays a significant role in the event, SXSW celebrates innovation across a wide range of disciplines. The festival offers conference sessions, keynote addresses, Film & TV Festival screenings, music showcases, comedy events, competitions, awards, world-class exhibitions, and much more.
Its core mission is to foster unexpected breakthroughs by connecting brilliant minds from diverse industries and sharing ideas in technology, film, culture, and music.
4. Snap Partner Summit + LensFest
Taking place in Los Angeles, California, the Snap Partner Summit and Lens Fest are the go-to events to discover the latest AR updates from Snapchat, including software enhancements, new devices, and exciting initiatives. AR creators from around the world can expand their skills through workshops, attend insightful talks, discuss emerging trends, or even participate in a dedicated challenge during Lens Fest.
While Snap has not yet revealed the specific date of the event, it’s likely to take place around the summertime or early Autumn.
5. Meta Connect
While Meta Spark is now officially closed, the platform has built a strong community around Augmented Reality and its impact is far from fading, making it an important opportunity for networking and gaining insight.
Though the Meta has yet to announce the event’s dates or reveal the full program, we can already anticipate key topics, including AI, new wearable technologies, and the latest software updates. Stay tuned for more information!
6. XR EXPO
As the leading event for B2B innovations in AR, VR, and MR, the XR EXPO will explore the potential of immersive technologies across various industries, including architecture, healthcare, trade, and crafts.
It presents a unique opportunity to gain insights from experts in Extended Reality, build valuable connections, showcase your work, and find inspiration for your next career move. The event will take place from May 8–9 in Stuttgart, Germany.
7. Open Data Science Conference
Described as THE must-attend event for AI and data science practitioners, the ODSC is a 4-part initiative, enabling tech enthusiasts worldwide to attend, despite the geographical distance.
ODSC East will take place in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on May 13-15, followed by ODSC West in California, happening October 28-30. The event will move to Europe in December, revealing the specific date later on in the year. Additionally, for those who can’t reach the event either in the USA or Europe, the ODSC will be held as an online conference.
The event will focus solely on Artificial Intelligence, data science and machine learning, gathering experts from all over the world to exchange ideas, share their experiences, and offer hands-on training in the latest AI-powered software for all attendees.
8. AWE
Known as the world’s #1 XR event, AWE USA will take place from June 10-12 in Long Beach, California, followed by AWE EU on November 19-20 in Vienna.
This year, the festival will focus on spatial computing, showcasing innovations from over 300 exhibitors, featuring conferences with hundreds of spatial computing product leaders, and offering networking opportunities with 6,500 spatial specialists.
9. Viva Technology
Taking place from June 11-14 in Paris, Viva Technology will bring together the top speakers from the tech world to celebrate groundbreaking ideas and innovations.
During the event, some of the brightest minds and most influential voices will discuss topics like AI, cybersecurity, the metaverse, and more, fostering networking opportunities among startups, investors, and businesses.
10. Cannes Lions
The 72nd edition of Cannes Lions is set to take place from June 16-20 in Cannes, bringing together industry leaders to recognize the best marketing campaigns and innovations while discussing the future of the industry.
During the annual Festival of Creativity, attendees will explore XR’s role in advertising, be inspired by hundreds of brands leveraging technology in their campaigns, and engage in valuable networking, connecting with professionals from around the world.
11. London Tech Week
One of the biggest events in London will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, tech giants, and industry leaders to collaborate on solving challenges and making work easier while enhancing the joy of everyday life.
The event will be split into two parts: the Expo and Content Stages, held from June 9-11 at Olympia London, and the Fringe Event Programme, running from June 9-13 across London.
12. Art Basel
The world’s leading international exhibition for modern and contemporary art, Art Basel, will take place in Basel, Switzerland, from June 19-22. This prestigious event invites art enthusiasts from around the globe to experience a festival featuring over 300 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, along with more than 2,500 artists, ranging from contemporary masters to the latest generation of rising stars.
While not technically a tech fair, Art Basel offers abundant opportunities to inspire the AR community, with modern installations and tech-based art pieces playing an important role in the event.
13. XR Fair
The XR Fair is a two-part event, taking place first from July 2-4, and then again from October 8-10, at Makuhari Messe in Japan.
In addition to showcasing Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Realities, the XR Fair expands its theme to include the metaverse, bringing together some of the world’s top specialists in the field. The exhibition provides a platform for B2B attendees to present their latest services and technologies across various industries, including entertainment, marketing, and more, highlighting the growing significance of the XR market in Japan.
14. WeAreDevelopers World Congress
Introduced as the World’s Leading Event for Developers & Tech Leaders, WeAreDevelopers will take place from July 9-11 in Berlin, Germany. This year, the event aligns with the growing focus of many conferences on AI-powered technologies, delving into the future of software development.
It presents an excellent opportunity to expand your network and gain hands-on experience through workshops led by some of the world’s top experts in the field.
15. SIGGRAPH
SIGGRAPH 2025, recognised as the premier conference and exhibition for computer graphics and interactive techniques, will take place in Vancouver, Canada, from August 10–14.
The event features a variety of categories, allowing attendees to explore their unique interests and connect with specialists across Production & Animation, Research & Education, Art & Design, Gaming & Interactive, and New Technologies.
Participants can submit their work for Creative Submissions, becoming a part of talks, courses, panels, labs, and more, with opportunities to gain international recognition for their projects.
16. GITEX
GITEX Global returns to celebrate its 45th anniversary, taking place from October 13-17 across two iconic venues: the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour.
With dozens of exhibition halls, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest innovations in AI, cybersecurity, mobility, sustainable tech, and more—showcased by both startups and established tech giants.
17. Web Summit
In 2025, the Web Summit returns to Lisbon, November 10-13, with over 70,000 attendees, almost a thousand speakers and more than 3000 companies taking part in the event.
Web Summit is open to beginners in the tech industry, with the ALPHA program, designed to shine a spotlight on early-stage startups. The initiative aims to connect new entrepreneurs with the most influential specialists, investors, and companies from over 160 countries, giving them opportunities to grow their businesses and boost their networks.
18. AIXR XR Awards
The AIXR XR Awards Ceremony is a part of the AWE EU, happening November 19-20 in Vienna, Austria. The event recognizes some of the biggest achievements in XR, AR and VR, motivating the most creative minds in the industry to continue innovation and take the spotlight on the red carpet.
This year, for the 9th edition of the event, the awards will embrace entries from the whole XR industry, to involve VR as well as AR and MR, and adding 2 completely new categories: XR Tool & Utility of the Year and Obsidian Award.
19. Immersive TechWeek
The event is said to take place on December 10-12, gathering the tech community in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Thousands of specialists and enthusiasts will come together to discuss the latest innovations, try out new technologies and share their ideas for the future of XR, AR, AI and more.
While the detailed program of the event hasn’t been unveiled yet, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on. With hundreds of speakers, thousands of attendees, and dozens of conferences, this promises to be an amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and boost your networking.
Pack your bags, charge your devices, and get ready to embark on a year full of learning, inspiration, and collaboration! ✈️🧳
These events aren’t just about technology—they’re about connecting with the people and ideas that will define the next chapter of the XR industry. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of the global conversation, inspire your creativity, and leave your mark on the ever-evolving world of extended reality. 🚀