Get Ready to Rock The 2026 NAMM Show: NAMM Celebrates 125 Years with Five-Days of Music, Innovation and Industry Legacy

125th Anniversary of NAMM and 50 Years in Anaheim Set the Stage for a Historic Gathering

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global non-profit music trade organization, announced today that The 2026 NAMM Show will celebrate NAMM's 125th anniversary, along with 50 years in the city of Anaheim. Taking place January 20-24, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center, the world's largest music products trade show will feature five days of incredible education, live concerts and special events, alongside three days of extraordinary exhibits and brand activations from January 22-24. This 2026 event marks a historic milestone for the entire music products industry.

"The NAMM Show is more than a trade show; it is the global gathering where our entire industry meets at the crossroads of business, innovation and technology," said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. "This year, we celebrate not only the future of our industry but also the legacy of 125 years of uniting music makers and 50 years of partnership with the city of Anaheim. The 2026 show will be our most expansive, celebratory and future-forward yet."

Five Days of Unmatched Events and Education

Beginning Tuesday, January 20, The 2026 NAMM Show will offer an extended slate of world-class education sessions, global networking events and NAMM's annual Day of Service, which highlights the positive impact of music education on students' lives and society with NAMM members partnering with the local Anaheim school district and community on the benefits of music education.

NAMM members engage in a variety of activities to support music programs, such as unpacking and tuning of instruments, assisting with music-making sessions and providing professional development for teachers.

Global Media Day and Reimagined Retail Awards

Wednesday, January 21, opens with Global Media Day, an exclusive preview event where top media outlets and industry influencers will experience breaking product launches and innovations from the world's most iconic brands.

Wednesday will also feature expanded educational opportunities, including a new suite of immersive half- and full-day professional development summits. This includes workshops on everything from leadership, marketing and financial strategies to deep dives into recording and studio innovations, as well as new developments in entertainment technology.

That evening, NAMM will host the newly rebranded NAMM Retail Awards (formerly the NAMM Dealer Awards). With expanded categories and two new honors — Best Omnichannel Operation and Best Music Lesson Program — the awards celebrate excellence in music retail from NAMM's global membership.

Thought Leadership and Celebrated Performances

Thursday, January 22, begins with the powerful NAMM U Breakfast Session: "Industry Insights," hosted by Mlynczak. This dynamic session will feature a live panel of industry luminaries in conversation about key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the global music market. At 10 am sharp, the doors of the exhibit hall open, and more than 1,800 state-of-the-art exhibitions from brands and companies based all over the world come to life, bringing a musical experience like no other to the show floor.

That evening, the NAMM TEC Awards will recognize achievements in audio excellence, honoring innovators in recording, live sound and technology with legends of the industry on stage through the night.

Friday night shines a spotlight on the She Rocks Awards, a high-energy, unforgettable event that honors the women who are changing the face of music and audio with electrifying live performances and powerful speeches.

Friday evening also draws thousands of NAMM attendees to the center point of the NAMM Show campus, the Yamaha Main Stage. This live performance stage will feature a one-of-a-kind, star-studded performance ensured to bring the house down.

A Grand Rally for Music Education

Saturday, January 24, opens with the motivating "Grand Rally for Music Education," a flagship NAMM Foundation event that combines live performances with inspirational stories to spotlight the role of music education in our society.

Once the exhibit halls close at 5 pm, a special 125-year anniversary bash will take place in the main plaza, leading into the prestigious Parnelli Awards, honoring individuals and companies in the live event production industry. Live music will continue throughout the NAMM campus well into the evening to keep the energy going all night long.

Join the Global Music Community

The NAMM Show brings together tens of thousands of professionals from more than 125 countries, including manufacturers, retailers, educators, artists, industry professionals and innovators across the musical spectrum. In 2026, attendees can expect expanded programming, immersive experiences and anniversary celebrations that honor the association's enduring mission: to strengthen the music products industry and promote the pleasures and benefits of making music.

Registration for The 2026 NAMM Show opens this fall. For the latest information, visit namm.org.

About NAMM   

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $19.5 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of 10,000 global member companies and individual professionals with a global workforce of over 475,000 employees. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music and advance active participation in music-making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org.   

SOURCE NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)