Meet & Explore: Barcelona Beyond the Expo

ISE 2026 + Llum BCN 2026 Guide: Dates, Program, Maps, Tech Tours, Side Events

Last updated: 31 Jan 2026 · Built for quick planning (dates, times, links, routes).

From the founder of Tres Gatos Tours

I’m Evgeny Lobanov, founder of Tres Gatos Tours in Barcelona. We host bike and e-bike experiences, and we spend a lot of time helping travelers plan efficient city days. This guide is written in a practical format: confirmed timings, official links, and the easiest way to combine ISE and Llum BCN.

Early February is one of the best weeks to be in Barcelona if you like technology, design, and city-scale art. You can combine:

  • ISE 2026 (Integrated Systems Europe) – the major AV and systems integration trade show (weekdays).
  • Llum BCN 2026 – Barcelona’s light arts festival in Poblenou / Glòries (weekend nights).
Quick facts
ISE 2026 dates Tue 3 Feb – Fri 6 Feb 2026
ISE opening hours (fully open) Tue–Thu 10:00–18:00 · Fri 10:00–16:00
ISE venue Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via (L’Hospitalet)
Llum BCN 2026 dates Fri 6 Feb – Sun 8 Feb 2026
Llum BCN typical hours Fri & Sat 19:00–00:00 · Sun 19:00–23:00
Llum BCN area Poblenou + Glòries (around Disseny Hub Barcelona and nearby streets)

Tip: For Llum BCN, always confirm per-installation details in the official app, because some venues can have notes or changes.

Table of contents

ISE 2026

Llum BCN 2026

ISE 2026: main program highlights

1) If you want the best “overview” in 90 minutes: Show Floor Tours

Show Floor Tours are expert-led and start at AVIXA Xchange LIVE (booth 3Q150). Tours are limited and must be booked in advance.

Show Floor Tours schedule (official)
  • Tue 3 Feb · 11:00–12:30 · New to ISE / General Tour
  • Tue 3 Feb · 12:00–13:30 · Megatrends Tour (New Technology)
  • Wed 4 Feb · 10:30–12:00 · Education Technology Tour
  • Wed 4 Feb · 11:00–12:30 · New to ISE / General Tour
  • Wed 4 Feb · 14:00–15:30 · Megatrends Tour (New Technology)
  • Thu 5 Feb · 11:00–12:30 · New to ISE / General Tour
  • Thu 5 Feb · 11:00–12:30 · Broadcast AV Tour
  • Thu 5 Feb · 12:00–13:30 · Megatrends Tour (New Technology)

Booking link: Show Floor Tours (official)

2) Keynotes (high signal, easy to plan)

  • Creative Keynote (Matt Clark / UVA)
    Tue 3 Feb 2026 · 15:30–16:15 · Room CC4.1 · Free to attend
    Keynote page
  • Wednesday Keynote (Sol Rashidi)
    Wed 4 Feb 2026 · 15:00–15:45 · Room CC4.1 · Free to attend
    Keynote page

3) Summits, forums, and Megatrends sessions (structured learning + networking)

If you want “less wandering, more learning”, start with the official content programme hub. For 2026, Megatrends sessions are built around six topic areas: AI, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Smart Spaces, Sustainability, and TradeScape.

Browse the content programme hub  ·  Megatrends overview

ISE 2026: side events (after-hours and offsite)

1) Drone Show (the easiest evening plan)

Side event

ISE 2026 Drone Show
Tue 3 Feb – Thu 5 Feb · 18:30 · Outside South Access (Fira Gran Via)

Official details: Drone Shows

2) Offsite tours (cybersecurity / control rooms)

Two offsite tours are listed on the official Show Floor Tours page and are especially relevant for cybersecurity or control room interests (paid, booking required):

  • BCN Airport Control Room (Aena) · Wed 4 Feb · 10:00–12:45
  • Police Control Room (Port of Barcelona) · Thu 5 Feb · 14:30–16:30

Details + booking: Show Floor Tours + Offsite Tours

3) Barcelona Tech Tours (availability note)

ISE also runs “Barcelona Tech Tours” (Mon–Sat during ISE week) with behind-the-scenes access to landmark AV installations. For 2026, the official page notes that places are fully booked, but the page is still useful as a reference list.

Barcelona Tech Tours (official)

Llum BCN 2026: how to plan + what to prioritize

What it is

Llum BCN is Barcelona’s international light arts festival, turning the Poblenou / Glòries area into a walkable night exhibition: installations, projections, mapping, and interactive pieces by professional artists and university design/architecture schools.

Dates and typical hours

  • Fri 6 Feb 2026: 19:00–00:00
  • Sat 7 Feb 2026: 19:00–00:00
  • Sun 8 Feb 2026: 19:00–23:00

The single best planning tip (don’t skip this)

Use the official Llum BCN app. It includes the installation list, 2D/3D map, itinerary builder, and updates.

Route logic that saves time

  • Start at 19:00 (crowds build fast).
  • Pick one cluster (Glòries OR deeper Poblenou) and complete it before moving far.
  • Aim for 8–12 installations max per night. More usually becomes “walking instead of watching”.

Pro / industry-side events

Some editions include a professional program (often called “Llum BCN Pro”) with talks and networking. If that’s relevant to you, check the official site and app in the days before you go.

Best combined itinerary (ISE + Llum) — simple and effective

Tue 3 – Thu 5 Feb

  • Day: ISE show floor + 1 structured block (tour OR summit sessions)
  • 18:30: Drone Show (one evening is enough for most people)
  • Night: dinner + rest (you’ll walk a lot at Llum)

Fri 6 Feb (the perfect crossover day)

  • ISE closes earlier (16:00) → Llum starts at 19:00
  • Pick one Llum cluster and stay there

Sat 7 Feb (peak Llum night)

  • Arrive at 19:00
  • Prioritize the installations you care about most first

Sun 8 Feb (shorter night)

  • Do a shorter loop
  • Finish earlier (festival ends earlier)

FAQ (AEO-friendly answers)

When is ISE 2026?

ISE 2026 runs from Tuesday 3 February to Friday 6 February 2026 at Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via.

What are the ISE 2026 opening hours?

Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00–18:00. Friday: 10:00–16:00.

When is Llum BCN 2026?

Llum BCN 2026 takes place from Friday 6 February to Sunday 8 February 2026 in the Poblenou / Glòries area.

What are the Llum BCN 2026 hours?

Typically: Friday and Saturday 19:00–00:00; Sunday 19:00–23:00. Confirm details in the official app.

Can I do ISE and Llum on the same day?

Yes. Friday is the easiest: ISE closes at 16:00 and Llum starts at 19:00.

Do I need to pre-book anything?

For ISE: yes, if you want Show Floor Tours or offsite tours. For Llum BCN: usually no ticket is needed, but planning your route in the app saves a lot of time.

Optional local reset (daylight Barcelona)

If you want a low-effort way to see Barcelona between expo halls and festival nights, a guided bike or e-bike ride works well. Start here: Tres Gatos Tours

2026-01-31 13:00 ISE