Creativity you can touch: CREATIVA

For all generations: Europe’s largest creative trade fair brings together tradition, trends and technology – parallel to CAKE & BAKE, Germany’s largest cake fair.

From March 19 to 23, 2025, Messe Dortmund became a vibrant meeting place for the DIY and creative scene. With more space, fresh impulses and a top-class supporting program, Europe’s largest creative trade fair offered a world of experience that is second to none. An additional highlight awaited visitors on the weekend of the fair: CAKE & BAKE, which took place at the same time. Germany’s largest cake fair was once again a hotspot for all those involved in the art of baking, cake design and sweet creativity, whether professionally or as a hobby.

Dortmund 25.03.2025 – A wealth of ideas, diversity and personal encounters were the focus of CREATIVA 2025, which became a magnet for hobby creatives, design and craft professionals, artists, manufacturers and retailers from Germany and abroad. For five days, the Dortmund exhibition halls were transformed into a colorful world of experience – with an expanded concept that ranged from traditional craftsmanship to modern trend techniques such as machine embroidery, tufting, plotting and diamond painting. Whether for people with initial experience or for professionals – Europe’s largest trade fair for creative design offered inspiration, exchange and plenty of opportunities to get involved in the high-quality supporting program.

“This year’s CREATIVA has exceeded our expectations: With more space, new exhibitors and an even greater and more colorful variety of topics, the trade fair is proving to be a central driving force in the industry. The mood was consistently positive – among visitors and exhibitors alike,” summarizes Sabine Loos, Managing Director of the Westfalenhallen Group.

International appeal in challenging times

The consistently international focus underlines the importance of CREATIVA for the creative market in Europe: around 420 exhibitors from 22 countries were represented this year – from Denmark, France, the Benelux countries, the UK, Italy, Austria and Switzerland to Latvia, Spain and a group from Ukraine, which was represented by 17 artists, as well as Australia, Ghana and Tunisia. “Especially in an economically tense environment, which also affects the creative industry, such international participation is not a matter of course,” explains trade fair director Sabine Loos. “We are therefore all the more pleased that CREATIVA has once again proven how strong its appeal is beyond national borders. The mood at the trade fair was remarkably positive – it reflected what is currently lacking in many places: optimism, closeness and enthusiasm for creative cooperation.”

Focus on premieres, workshops and hands-on experiences

The trade fair offered an impressive range of workshops for beginners and advanced students alike. Whether sewing lingerie, designing rope bowls or diamond painting – the latest techniques could be tried out and experienced directly on site. The popular Klötzchenmann & friends area and the DIY lounge enriched the offer – with numerous hands-on activities and creative impulses for young and old. The Cutting Academy by Plottertante & friends in Hall 7 and the “Machine Embroidery Marketplace” in Hall 4 were particularly popular.

The latter was moderated by fashion designer leonid matthias and impressively demonstrated how versatile and contemporary machine embroidery can be today. The premiere appearance of Barudan embroidery machines, official license partner of the Major Baseball League (MBL), underlined the high standard of innovation – two ultra-modern machines were presented for the first time at an end consumer trade fair.

From international diversity to virtual reality

From broom makers from Normandy to virtual reality projects and hand-printed fabrics from Vienna – CREATIVA 2025 also impressed with its international flair and unusual presentation formats. New this year: the VR project “Jagdschloss Mengede”, which combined tradition with technology. A wide range of diamond painting products were on show in Hall 6 from Craft Buddy, the UK’s largest manufacturer, and in Hall 7 from suppliers such as Bluemex and Glitzerimperium. Hall 7 was all about plotting – including a market overview, materials and technical innovations. Cricut, the market leader in plotting, had a particularly large stand and designer area this year.

Positive visitor feedback

According to an independent survey of visitors, the vast majority were extremely satisfied with their trade fair experience. For example, 91.8% of those surveyed stated that they would visit CREATIVA again. The diversity and quality of the entire range of products and services was also rated positively across the board – a strong indication of the convincing concept and the relevance of the event in the creative sector.

Clear the stage: celebrities, show acts and talks on the CREATIVA Stage

The CREATIVA Stage in Hall 4 was once again the hotspot for live shows, creative talks and celebrity encounters. In addition to highlights such as pop pop star Olaf Henning and actress Manuela Wisbeck, entertainer Julian F.M. Stoeckel presented himself together with show legend Eva Jacob from the Jacob Sisters. In addition, the first CREATIVA short thriller was read out live – the thriller will be available online after the trade fair.

The weekend program was hosted by TV presenter Madita van Hülsen, who charmingly guided the guests through fashion shows, tufting demonstrations and inspiring discussions with scene leaders such as content creator Carlo Sommer alias CasaCarlo.

Sustainability as a cross-cutting theme: SUSTAINABLE CITY in Hall 4

Sustainability was once again one of the key themes at CREATIVA this year. The popular “SUSTAINABLE CITY” special area in Hall 4 showcased creative approaches to environmentally conscious design: from plant-based paints and handmade candles to ideas for sustainable interiors and urban gardening.

CAKE & BAKE as a sweet highlight

CAKE & BAKE – the Mecca for all baking fans – once again took place alongside CREATIVA. With Germany’s largest cake competition, live demonstrations and its own hands-on program, the international cake fair was the perfect complement to the main creative trade fair.

Save the Date

The next CREATIVA will take place from March 25 to 29, 2026 at Messe Dortmund. Advance sales will start in fall 2025 at www.messe-creativa.de

TRADE FAIR AT A GLANCE
CREATIVA – EUROPE’S LARGEST CREATIVE TRADE FAIR

For more than forty years, CREATIVA has had a firm place in the creative industry’s calendar. Once a year, Europe’s largest creative trade fair at Messe Dortmund presents the whole world of creative work. With a uniquely wide range of new and tried-and-tested products, individually designed objects and innovative techniques, it is the focal point for leisure and professional designers, artists and craftspeople, manufacturers and distributors. Over five days, visitors will find creative products and techniques under one roof: from handicrafts, arts and crafts, design, painting and drawing to felting, spinning, weaving and cake decorating to woodwork, metalwork and jewelry making. In addition, varied workshops, creative exhibitions and an eventful stage program ensure an unforgettable journey into a colourful creative world full of new ideas and inspiration.

DATE:
March 19 – 23, 2025
March 25 – 29, 2026

ORGANIZER:
Messe Dortmund GmbH

TARGET VISITOR GROUPS:
Anyone who is active in the field of design in their leisure time and profession or would like to acquire individually designed objects.

HALLS:
CREATIVA: Halls 4 – 7
CAKE & BAKE: Hall 3

EXHIBITOR FIGURES:
Around 420 companies and exhibitors from 22 nations (CREATIVA)

VISITORS:
65,000 visitors

Focal points:

• Tinkering & building
• Fabric & Textile
• Painting & Drawing
• Art & Craft
• Design & Deco
• Fun & games
• Fashion & Accessories
• Living & Design
• Education & Business