The Social Gatherings of the Year: The Pen Shows!
Pen Shows 2025: The Must-Attend Social Events of the Year
Maybe the social (and shopping!) outing that pen enthusiasts all over the world have missed the most over the past eighteen months is attending a pen show. As parts of the world start to open up there has been plenty of chatter in the pen community. When will the first one be? Where? There are practical questions about who might be there (as travel is still restricted in many countries,) and what will a pen show post pandemic look like with regards to safety requirements? Some of this is still a mystery, but with several pen shows announcing their return (Miami, DC, Chicago and others,) it seemed a good time to put out a quick Pen Show 101 for those who might be looking forward to going to their first one.
So here is what you should know and expect if you’ve never been to a pen show (PS- If you have additional advice, leave your thoughts in the comments. Pen show knowledge is vast and differs from person to person, so your tidbit might be just the thing that helps someone new enjoy their first show even more than they might have)
Who will be there.
For starters, people like you: pen enthusiasts from all over the world.
There will also be retailers (many of the larger ones you purchase from on the web,) distributors (who often show their full range of brands and yet to be released models,) and vintage dealers ( if you think what is old is new, a pen show is the place to be). There are also pen makers of every type of pen you can imagine and nibmeisters who are on hand to customize nibs to your preferred specifications. While there isn’t a lot of repair work happening at shows, you will be able to find resources for that and a pen show is also about way more than pens. There is lots and lots of ink and paper. Lots!
Pen Show Tips: A First-Timer’s Guide to Navigating the Event
- Set a budget ahead of time. Walking into a show without deciding how much you are willing to spend is like setting a child free in a candy shop. They will eat all the candy. You will buy all the pens.
- Make a list. Are there pens that you have been looking for that you want to seek out specifically? Write them down and bring it with you. Going to a pen show without a list is like going to a market without a list. Again, just like you might buy food on a whim, you will buy pens on a whim. Sometimes this works out. Sometimes not so much!
- Bring cash. While many vendors are able to take credit cards, cash is still king and if you are looking to negotiate prices, having cash gives you a better opportunity to do so. Pen shows are often a great place to find pens at a better price than you will see on retailers and third-party sites. Sometimes having cash will make the difference and you will want to have it with you because hotel ATM’s run out of cash quickly during shows and typically are not replenished before the weekend is over. If you are seriously shopping, notify your charge card company that there are multiple vendors from many states, so your account isn't frozen due to suspected fraud.
- Make a loop before you buy. If you can help it, you may want to make a full loop of the entire show before making a purchase. It is smart to get the lay of the land, see who is there and what they have to offer, before you open your wallet.
- You may want to bring food! Often pens shows are in hotels that have limited dining in them and around them. Do some research ahead of time and bring snacks. Walking a pen show can leave you famished! Having something to nibble can also be the key to good decision making ;)
- You might also want to bring some of your pen collection. Pen shows often have after hours events and gatherings and it is quite fun to see what other pen enthusiasts collect. Many attendees are happy to let you try their pens and having your pens might be an opportunity to let someone else see or try a pen that they have their eye on.
-
Have fun and try not to be shy. It’s probably not an overstep on my part to say that the pen community is full of introverts (and if it is, I hope you’ll forgive my assessment). That being said, it is a community that is enlivened by a mutual love of pens and getting to know each other through pens. If there are name tags at a show, wear one. Introduce yourself to vendors and showgoers alike. Many, many, wonderful friendships have started at shows.
It’s all about the people.
I have heard this said so many times towards the end of a pen show or in conversations about them. Pen people are such special people. We have a mutual love of writing instruments, but it’s so much more than that. It is a beautiful community of people from all over the world, every walk of life, every age bracket, gender, race, religion, political conviction, etc. and yet it is a group that is harmonious, kind and loads of fun. If we have any fault at all as a collective, it is our propensity to buy a few too many pens. That seems like a small thing compared to the joy that the community and pen shows bring all of us.
Always ask permission before picking up a displayed pen.
Below find a list of many of the pen shows around the world, and user videos, a image gallery. You will want to seek out their websites or pen related message boards for the most current information.
I hope to see all of you at a show soon!
2025 Pen Show Schedule
| Month | Full Date | Name | Country | Web |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | January 17-19, 2025 | Philadelphia Pen Show | USA | Web |
| February | February 1, 2025 | German Pen Fest | Germany | Web |
| February | February 13-16, 2025 | California Pen Show | USA | Web |
| March | March 2, 2025 | London Spring Pen Show | UK | Web |
| March | March 7-9, 2025 | Baltimore Pen Show | USA | Web |
| March | March 15-16, 2025 | Manila Pen Show | Philippines | Web |
| March | March 21-23, 2025 | Arkansas Pen Show | USA | Web |
| April | April 4-6, 2025 | Atlanta Pen Show | USA | Web |
| April | April 27, 2025 | Northern Pen Show (Yorkshire) | UK | Web |
| May | May 1-4, 2025 | Chicago Pen Show | USA | Web |
| May | May 17-18, 2025 | Ankara Pen Show | Turkey | Web |
| May | May 24, 2025 | Scriven Montreal | Canada | Web |
| May-June | May 31 – June 1, 2025 | Dutch Pen Show | Netherlands | Web |
| June | June 5-8, 2025 | Triangle Pen Show | USA | Web |
| June | June 22, 2025 | Birmingham Pen Show | UK | Web |
| June | June 26-29, 2025 | St. Louis Pen Show | USA | Web |
| July | TBA | Pacific Northwest Pen Show | USA | Web |
| July | July 18-19, 2025 | Miami Pen Show | USA | Web |
| July-August | July 31 – August 3, 2025 | Washington DC Supershow | USA | Web |
| August | August 29-31, 2025 | San Francisco Pen Show | USA | Web |
| August | August 31, 2025 | Newcastle Pen Show | UK | Web |
| September | September 11-14, 2025 | Orlando Pen Show | USA | Web |
| September | September 27-28, 2025 | Malaysia International Pen Show | Malaysia | Web |
| September | September 26-27, 2025 | Dallas Pen Show | USA | Web |
| October | October 3-5, 2025 | Detroit Pen Show | USA | Web |
| October | October 11-12, 2023 | London Autumn Pen Show | UK | Web |
| November | November 9-10, 2024 | Penfest (Istanbul) | Turkey | Web |
| November | November 15-17, 2024 | Madrid Pen Show | Spain | Web |
| November | November 24, 2024 | Melbourne Pen Show | Australia | Web |
| December | December 1, 2024 | Yorkshire Pen Show | UK | Web |
Image Gallery
1 Response
Brett Clacher
Hello, do know if there is or would be a pen show in New Zealand
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Also in Blog
Fountain Pen Tips for First-Timers: What I Wish I Knew
Getting into fountain pens is exciting but can be overwhelming. With so many options, it's easy to make mistakes. From choosing the right nib to finding the perfect ink, here are the key lessons I wish I had known when I first started. These simple but essential tips will help you avoid frustration and enjoy every moment of writing with a fountain pen.
Why Tomoe River Paper Is The #1 Fountain Pen Paper
Katy Klassman
Author
Katy worked in a stationery shop for nearly a decade, so She’s educated on many products and stationery client questions. She is also stationery - planner - fountain pen fanatic.