Media Events 2026: This Is Where the Bavarian Industry Meets

January

• DLD Munich

DLD is much more than just a tech conference – it is the “class reunion” of the global digital elite right in the heart of Bavaria. Every January, DLD, organized by Hubert Burda Media, transforms Munich into a hotspot for thought leaders from the worlds of media, technology, business, and art.

• Medientrends 2026

What is driving the industry this year? With its annual trend event, MedienNetzwerk Bayern provides a compass for the Bavarian media ecosystem. In 2026, the focus will be on three major themes: “fluid media experience,” “human anchor points,” and “proximity instead of mass.”

February

• Open House at GAMEREI

Games Bavaria’s new event series enters its second round in February, this time under the motto “Games & History.” Indie developers come together with publishers, investors, and journalists in a relaxed atmosphere.

March

• Media Lab Innovation Festival

If you’re not interested in classic “small talk networking,” this is the place for you. The Media Lab Innovation Festival is not a typical conference, but rather an interactive playground for the media industry. This year’s motto: “Future Proof. Future Ready. Future Now.”

• AllSocial Marketing Conference

AllSocial in Munich is a must-attend event for anyone who works with and in social media. In 2026, the focus will be on the “creative revolution” driven by AI and strategies for TikTok, LinkedIn, and other platforms.

• GG Bavaria

While e-sports, cosplay, and indie games take center stage at the Munich gaming fair this weekend, GG Bavaria is offering industry professionals a unique format in 2026. This time, Business Day will take place as a standalone conference focusing specifically on networking and exchange within the games industry.

April

• MTM Special AI & Media

While Medientage München in the fall covers the entire industry, MTM Special AI & Media delves deep into the subject of artificial intelligence. The conference brings together tech experts with decision-makers from TV, streaming, journalism, and the creator economy.

May

• DOK.fest Munich

DOK.fest is Germany’s largest documentary film festival and a central meeting place for filmmakers, editors, and storytellers. In addition to film screenings, there are also many workshops, side events, and panels where industry insiders can network.

June

• Lokalrundfunktage Nürnberg

The LRFT in Nuremberg brings together the who’s who of the Bavarian radio and local TV scene. The event is an institution. Anyone who wants to know how local media can survive between global tech competition and regional relevance will find the answers here.

• Nuremberg Digital Festival

The conference will celebrate its 14th edition in 2026, once again turning the Nuremberg metropolitan region into a stage for digital innovation, AI, cybersecurity, new work, digital health, start-ups, and much more. The Nuremberg Digital Festival offers exciting talks and plenty of opportunities to network with like-minded people.

• Filmfest Munich

Creative minds from the film industry come together at the established film festival in Munich and exchange ideas on current projects and trends during talks, film screenings, and side events.

July

• Festival der Zukunft

Once again this year, the tech community 1E9 is inviting guests to the Festival der Zukunft at the Deutsches Museum in Munich. The event is designed as a specialist conference for startups, investors, and media makers, offering plenty of opportunity for networking and discussion.

• Munich Startup Festival

If you want to know who is building the media companies of tomorrow, the Munich Startup Festival is a must-attend event. In July, Backstage Munich will once again transform into the vibrant center of the Bavarian startup scene.

• Transforming Media

If you want to know what media innovation looks like beyond Munich, you should mark Transforming Media in your calendar. The conference, organized by MedienNetzwerk Bayern in Würzburg, has established itself as a permanent hub for Lower Franconia.

September

• Bits & Pretzels 2026

When lederhosen meet laptop millionaires, it’s Bits & Pretzels time again. The three-day start-up festival has long been an institution, attracting 5,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and media makers to Munich every year.

Oktober

• Medientage München

The MTM is the must-attend event for the entire German media industry and is one of the most important trade conferences in Europe. For three days, Munich is transformed into a huge think tank for journalism, TV, audio, and publishing.

November

• So Many Voices

If you want to understand the future of the audio world, you can’t ignore “So Many Voices.” The conference, which was created as a collaboration between MedienNetzwerk Bayern and the podcast label hauseins, has developed into an important meeting place for the German-speaking podcast industry in recent years.

December

• Ultimate Demo Day

Before the industry takes its winter break, it’s time for another highly innovative event. UnternehmerTUM invites you to the Ultimate Demo Day at Munich Urban Colab. The pitch event for startups has long since developed into one of the largest networking hubs in Europe. Over 60 hand-picked teams from fields such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, and software will present their visions to influential industry leaders and international investors.