The following two statements are a given among most GPers: We won’t vote our way out of this; we and our way of life are being replaced at a rate of knots…
The late Patrick O’Flynn, writing about the dire state of British politics, urged his readers to develop a Hinterland. It is today’s equivalent to Voltaire’s “il faut cultiver notre jardin, – ‘we must cultivate our garden”, this piece of advice encouraging us to keep a good distance between ourselves and the world. Taking too close an interest in, say, politics is a route to aggravation; we should keep busy and be concerned with things on a smaller scale.
In my own words, we need to cultivate a mental, spiritual even, Hinterland, as impervious as possible to politics and sh⁕tholic forces in order to stay as sane and as zen as possible.
As you’ll know from previous articles, I and a couple of GPers have chosen to cultivate our penophilia, or stylophilia if you prefer a safer word. It is a solitary hobby but also a wonderful source of social exchanges, both inducing euphoria!
© S&S 2026
The writing, the pen cleaning and refilling, the note taking, the bullet or otherwise journaling take place at home, at work, in a comfy café, alone or in small local groups, but a number of the social events where the sharing takes place form a structured calendar and are biiig events.
Let me take you through this calendar.
Out of 12 months, it seems you’ll only have to fend for yourselves in February and June!
For the other months of the year, I have indicated the actual dates for the event in 2026 (up to you to find the 2027 dates when they’ll be announced) or in 2027 if already published; or I give an indication such as the first week-end of the month. Somes events take place in Britain, others abroad and I’ll give the general location.
For those surprised that I mention Pen Shows outside of Britain, there is such a thing that I call “pen tourism”: You go abroad to attend a pen show in, say, San Francisco, Hamburg, Milano, see nothing of the place for one or two days but mingle with pen and ink addicts from across the world and bring back a suitcase heavy with stationery!
Most international brands attend all or several of the shows. For example well-known American brand Esterbrook announces here to its worldwide fans which Pen Shows they’ll attend in 2026: https://www.esterbrookpens.com/pages/events-calendar
In the era of online shopping, attending a Pen Show is the ultimate analogue and hands-on shopping, or just browsing, experience, as well as social.
What is a Pen Show? As Galen Leather put it: “A pen show is a public convention and marketplace where fountain pen collectors, makers, vendors, and fans gather to buy, sell, trade, and talk about fine writing instruments, inks, and stationery.”
The pens are high-end or run-of-the-mill, vintage, custom-made, limited editions and exclusives – bargains and finds, and discounts you won’t find online. All kinds of writing accessories are also on display, including pen leather or canvas cases, display cases in Japanese wood, ink bottles and free samples, notebooks galore.
It is also a place to “find your people”: According to Esterbrook, “Where else can you geek out about ink flow or nib grinds with a crowd that gets it? Pen shows are full of friendly folks who share your passion, offering tips, stories, and boundless inspiration.”
I have listed all the Pen Shows in Britain. Internationally, I have listed the main ones. I have listed the dates when tickets to certain events, which are sold out quickly, are open for online purchase.
Get organised! Enter these dates in your Filofax, Hobonichi or TN planner!
© S&S 2026
JANUARY
16-18/01/2026 – Philadelphia Pen Show
31/01/2026 – German Pen Fest, Hamburg
FEBRUARY
I await your suggestions!
MARCH
01/03/2026 – London Pen Show (Spring). Usually in early March, in 2027 it will take place on 28th February.
28/03/2026 – Milano Pen Show
28-29/03/2026 – Manila Pen Show
29/03/2027 – Tickets for the Dutch Pen Show 2027 go on sale online (see June)
APRIL
24/04/2027 – Northern Pen Show, Chester
28/04/2027 i.e. last Wednesday of the month – World Stationery Day. “It promotes the art of handwriting, journaling, and the use of physical paper products and writing tools in a digital world.”
How to spend this day? Write a card or a letter; head over to a stationery shop and buy a pen, some paper (how many notebooks is too many?), a bottle of ink, several sheets of stickers and a roll of two of washi tape!? (post-covid it seems Japanese stationery has conquered the world. Even your local Ryman’s carries a selection!).
MAY
11-17/05/2026 – National Stationery Week. A whole week to celebrate all things stationery-related and encourage people to put pen to paper. You’re not just celebrating writing by hand but also the products and instruments that make writing possible, and enjoyable.
JUNE
05-06/06/2027 i.e. first week-end of June – Dutch Pen Show, Utrecht. One of the largest Pen Shows (with Washington DC, SFO and Tokyo), the largest in Europe (in 2026, 134 vendors, 207 tables, 2 150 visitors). As well as the usual, buying and selling pens, swatching inks, buying stationery, you can take part in hands-on workshops, more or less specialised, like “Travel Journaling”, “Fountain Pen Maintenance”, “Nib Tuning and Smoothing”, “Copperplate Calligraphy” etc.
10/06/2026 – National Ballpoint Pen Day : “It marks the anniversary of the 1943 patent filing by Hungarian brothers László and György Bíró, who revolutionized writing with quick-drying ink and a rolling ball mechanism.”
25/06/2026 – registrations for Pelikan Hub (see September) open.
27/06/2026 – Cheltenham Pen Show
JULY
Write holiday postcards!
AUGUST
02/08/2026 – Stationery Shop Day
06-09/08/2026 – Washington DC Pen Show
23/08/2026 – Newcastle Pen Show
27-30/08/2026 – San Francisco Pen Show
© S&S 2026
SEPTEMBER
1st – World Letter Writing Day: To keep the tradition of pen and paper alive and embrace the art of letter writing. “Founded in 2014 by Richard Simpkin, the day encourages people to slow down and connect with others by writing and sending handwritten letters.”
05-06/09/2026 – Singapore Pen Show: “Calling all stationery nerds, bullet journalers, sketch artists, and lovers of the written word! After a long seven-year wait since 2019, Southeast Asia’s premier celebration of fine writing is making its grand return. Whether you are a seasoned collector with a vault of vintage gold nibs, a student looking for the perfect everyday gel pen, or a creative soul curious about the world of beautiful inks, this event is built for you.”
25/09/2026 – Pelikan Hub. It is a worldwide annual gathering for fountain-pen and handwriting enthusiasts, sponsored by the German fine-writing brand Pelikan. Informal meetups are held simultaneously in hundreds of cities globally: local fans try each other’s pens, Pelikan or other, test inks, have pen fun.
“Whether you are a long-standing regular or joining us for the first time, you are about to embark on a journey dedicated to the tactile beauty of fine writing. We invite you to bring your most cherished instruments and inks, and join an inspiring sanctuary where every pen tells a story.”
Check the interactive map here, you’ll be surprised : https://www.pelikan-hubs.com/map.php
In Britain there’ll be Hubs in Birmingham, Cambridge, London, Fleet, Bath, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Falkirk. Registrations are now closed but if you contact the local hubmaster, you might be able to join the group – but you won’t be given the Pelikan goodie bag (which includes a bottle of their Ink of the Year)!
© S&S 2026
OCTOBER
10-11/10/2026 – London Pen Show (Autumn). The UK’s flagship event: Over 200 tables and some 1 000 attendees. International brands, small businesses, indie makers, vintage sellers, several nibmeisters.
NOVEMBER
06/11/2026 i.e. first Friday of the month – Fountain Pen Day. In-store events, online and in-person meetups.
“Celebrated worldwide as a time to embrace, promote and share the use of fountain pens.”
13-14/11/2026 – Madrid Pen Show
21-23/11/2026 – Tokyo Pen Show
DECEMBER
… time to write Christmas cards and to go gift-shopping: A fountain-pen, a pen and ink set, a silky notebook, a leather pen case or journaling bag …
There are actually an impressive number of online stationery shops in Britain, fewer brick-and-mortar ones unfortunately, in London in particular (even though high-ends are well represented). I envy those of you living in Bath, Oxford, Shrewsbury, or Belfast !
© S&S 2026
Whether you’re a long-time user or a newbie, a Boomer or a Zoomer, give this hobby, nay, this way of life (analogue, aesthetic and creative) a chance. Unleash your inner writer! Make a start with a visit to your local stationery shop or a forthcoming Pen Show near you: day tickets are £7 (£10 in London), you don’t need to buy anything (if you intend to, bring cash!), just browse and chat with other attendees, assorted pen geeks and paper nerds! Just don’t mention politics, you might be disappointed!?
Pens at the ready!
Inkfully yours,
© Text and photos Sunshine&Showers 2026
