The fair’s 39th edition will be held at SM Aura with the theme Himbon, a Hiligaynon word that means coming together under one purpose.
From September 23 to 28, 2025, the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair will set up at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura. With 139 exhibitors taking part, this year’s edition is also the biggest in its history.
The word himbon captures what the trade fair has always been about. It started in 1985 when wives of sugar planters, together with Negrenses in Manila, came together to support small cottage industries in Negros after the collapse of the sugar industry. What began as 30 vendors selling handwoven, stitched, and crafted goods has since grown into a platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that now reach international markets.
The fair serves as reunion of makers, communities, and visitors brought together by a shared love for Negrense culture.
A bigger venue for a bigger fair
This year, the move to SM Aura’s SMX Convention Center means more space for booths and exhibits. It also opens the doors to more participants, from food and lifestyle brands to fashion labels and design studios. Local government units across Negros are also taking part, showing how the fair has become not only a showcase but a collaborative effort to support homegrown industries.
Food that feels like home
Food has always been the heart of the Negros Trade Fair. Visitors can expect heirloom delicacies, pasalubong staples, and Negrense dishes that capture the island’s rich culinary heritage.
Negrense fashion and home brands to watch this year
The fair also shines a spotlight on Negrense fashion and design, much of it rooted in natural fibers and heritage weaving. LAKAT sneakers are crafted from pineapple fibers grown in Negros, while Vivo Handmade highlights slow fashion through handwoven Hablon. Ellege Handcrafted Fashion keeps the tradition of hand-smocked dresses alive, with pieces now stocked in boutiques abroad. Other labels like Creative Definitions, Negros Silk, Virtucio, and Get Spotted show the wide range of styles coming out of the region.
Negrense makers are also known for turning natural resources into home and lifestyle pieces. Guests could expect trays, lamps, ceramics, and decor made from pandan, buri, bamboo, coconut husks, and even eggshells. Hacienda Crafts, which has exhibited in Paris, and Madera Handicrafts, which reimagines coconuts into design pieces, are among the exhibitors to watch.
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Earrings by Arete; Jewelry Box by Tumandok Crafts
Leaf Capiz Plate by Madera Crafts
Terno by Get Spotted, black skirt from Donata by Kate Singson, red clutch by Bevz Handicrafts
A platform for local makers
Over the years, many exhibitors have grown from small stalls into exporters supplying hotels, resorts, and retailers abroad. For shoppers, it’s a chance to support artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs keeping traditions alive while adapting to global markets.
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With its theme Himbon, the 39th Negros Trade Fair is as much about community as it is about commerce. And being more than just a marketplace, it’s also a gathering that celebrates Negrense identity through food, fashion, design, and the stories behind them.
