Which Whisky Events Are Worth Visiting in Europe This Autumn?

The whisky events worth visiting in Europe this autumn are Whisky Live Paris from 26 to 28 September, the Whisky Exchange Whisky Show in London from 2 to 4 October, the Milano Whisky Festival and Rum Show from 7 to 9 November, and InterWhisky in Wiesbaden from 20 to 22 November, followed by two Swiss festivals and a spirits fair in Bremen before the year ends. Together they run from late September through mid December, giving collectors across Germany, Austria, Italy, France and beyond a full season of tastings and masterclasses.

Key Takeaways

• Seven confirmed whisky events run across Europe this autumn, from Whisky Live Paris on 26 to 28 September to the Bottle Market in Bremen on 11 and 12 December.

• Whisky Live Paris takes place this weekend at the Grande Halle de la Villette, with Saturday and Sunday open to the public and Monday reserved for trade visitors.

• Italy's main event is the Milano Whisky Festival and Rum Show, returning to the Marriott hotel in Milan for its 21st edition from 7 to 9 November.

• Germany hosts two events within three weeks: InterWhisky at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden from 20 to 22 November, and the Bottle Market in Bremen from 11 to 12 December.

• Switzerland adds two late autumn festivals, in Baden on 30 and 31 October and in Zurich on 27 and 28 November, both built around masterclasses.

• Entry works differently at each event. Some sell whisky by the sample, others include a tasting kit or nosing glass, so it is worth checking the ticket page before travelling.

Tip: Book online where you can. The Whisky and Music Festival Zurich charges more at the door than in advance, and Milano's tasting kit can also be bought ahead of time so you can walk straight past the entrance queue.

Whisky Live Paris Opens the Season This Weekend

Whisky Live Paris runs from 26 to 28 September 2026 at the Grande Halle de la Villette, a 16,000 square metre hall in the north of the city that drew more than 24,500 visitors in 2025. Saturday and Sunday are open to the public, while Monday is reserved for trade visitors. For the full picture of exhibitors, masterclasses and what to expect on the day, read What to Expect at Whisky Live Paris 2026.

The Whisky Show Fills Old Billingsgate in October

The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show returns to Old Billingsgate in London from 2 to 4 October 2026. More than 1,000 whiskies and other spirits are available to sample across the weekend, alongside masterclasses, demonstrations and talks on the main stage. The show is organised into themed areas, including a Nordic zone, a Flavour zone, a French zone and an Old and Rare section for older or harder to find bottlings.

Doors open Friday from 16:00 to 21:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 to 18:00. A Friday evening ticket costs less than a full weekend day, and a three day pass covers the whole show for those planning to attend every session.

The Swiss Whisky Festival Comes to Baden in Late October

The Swiss Whisky Festival takes place on 30 and 31 October 2026 at Trafo Baden, a former industrial hall turned event venue near Zurich. The programme includes a masterclass with whisky expert Olaf Meier on the Saturday evening, alongside tastings from the festival's exhibitors.

Milano Whisky Festival and Rum Show Returns for a 21st Year

The Milano Whisky Festival and Rum Show runs from 7 to 9 November 2026 at the Marriott hotel on Via Washington in Milan, marking its 21st edition. More than 4,000 whisky and rum labels are poured across the three days, from Scotch and Irish whiskey to bourbon, Far Eastern whisky and rum.

Entry requires a tasting kit, a glass and holder that can be bought at the entrance or online in advance. Most exhibitors charge from around three euros per sample, and visitors can also fill small bottles to take a pour home. Saturday and Sunday run from 13:00 to 21:00, and the closing Monday from 11:00 to 19:00.

InterWhisky Takes Over the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden

InterWhisky, Germany's oldest whisky trade fair, celebrates its 27th edition from 20 to 22 November 2026 at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden. Exhibitors include established distilleries and independent bottlers from Germany and abroad, pouring whisky from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and the United States. A whisky forum runs alongside the tasting floor, with lectures from international experts and hands on masterclasses.

The fair opens Friday from 15:00 to 22:00, Saturday from 12:00 to 21:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00. Every ticket includes an InterWhisky nosing glass, and the venue is fully barrier free.

The Whisky and Music Festival Adds Live Bands in Zurich

The Whisky and Music Festival Zurich takes place on 27 and 28 November 2026 at Volkshaus Zurich, pairing more than 35 exhibitors and 1,500 whiskies with live bands, a pipe band and Scottish country dance performances that run until 23:00 both nights. Masterclasses led by international whisky experts run alongside the tastings.

Advance tickets bought online cost less than tickets bought at the door on both days, roughly five Swiss francs cheaper per day, so booking ahead is worth doing if the festival is on your list.

The Bottle Market Closes the Season in Bremen

The Bottle Market in Bremen runs on 11 and 12 December 2026 at Messe Bremen, Halle 7, and closes the autumn calendar. About 130 distilleries, importers and independent bottlers take part, pouring whisky alongside rum, gin and other spirits in what the organisers describe as a relaxed, sociable setting rather than a formal trade show. A cigar lounge runs alongside the tasting floor for those who want to pair a dram with a smoke.

Tip: Independent bottlers turn up in force at some of these fairs. Bremen alone hosts around 130 distilleries and bottlers, so if you are chasing a specific label, check the exhibitor list on the organiser's website before you travel.

FAQ

Is it too late to go to Whisky Live Paris 2026?

No. Whisky Live Paris runs from 26 to 28 September 2026 at the Grande Halle de la Villette, with Saturday and Sunday open to the public. Monday is reserved for trade visitors only.

Which event has the most whisky and rum on show?

The Milano Whisky Festival and Rum Show pours more than 4,000 whisky and rum labels over its three days from 7 to 9 November, making it one of the largest tastings on this list.

Is any event reserved for the trade only?

Whisky Live Paris sets aside its closing Monday, 28 September, for trade visitors. The other events on this list run as public tastings throughout, though exhibitor lists are worth checking in advance for specific bottlings.

Which autumn event is best for masterclasses?

Several qualify. InterWhisky in Wiesbaden runs a dedicated whisky forum with lectures and hands on sessions, the Swiss Whisky Festival in Baden includes a masterclass with Olaf Meier, and the Whisky and Music Festival in Zurich pairs its masterclasses with live music.

What if I cannot travel abroad this autumn?

Munich has its own calendar of autumn tastings closer to home. See What Are the Best Whisky Tastings in Munich in Autumn 2026? for options that do not require a flight.