Counselor Toolkit: 2026–2027 Virtual College Fair Calendar
The complete 2026–2027 College Fairs Online schedule organized for counseling use. 40 fairs across 16 career areas and 5 regions, August 2026 through June 2027.
Use this calendar to plan your promotion timeline, make advising recommendations, and connect students with fairs that match their interests. Each fair runs Monday through Friday — students can attend anytime during that week.
For a printable version, download the full toolkit below.
Fall Semester: August – November 2026
| # | Dates | Fair Name | Career Area Focus | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 3–7 | Back-to-School Tech Kickoff | Technology | West |
| 2 | Aug 10–14 | Foundations in Business | Business & Entrepreneurship | Midwest |
| 3 | Aug 17–21 | Healing Hands Fair | Health Sciences | South |
| 4 | Aug 24–28 | Build It: Skilled Trades Spotlight | Skilled Trades & Manufacturing | Northeast |
| 5 | Aug 31–Sep 4 | Global Perspectives in Education | Education, Counseling & Psychology | Global |
| 6 | Sep 8–11 | Design Your Future | Fine Arts & Design | West |
| 7 | Sep 14–18 | Justice & Public Service Week | Law & Justice | West |
| 8 | Sep 21–25 | STEM Discovery Fair | Engineering | Midwest |
| 9 | Sep 28–Oct 2 | Under the Hood: Auto & Transportation | Automotive & Transportation | Northeast |
| 10 | Oct 5–9 | Explore the World: Science & Research | Science & Research | Global |
| 11 | Oct 12–16 | Center Stage: Performing Arts | Performing Arts & Entertainment | Northeast |
| 12 | Oct 19–23 | Changemakers Fair | Social Impact | Midwest |
| 13 | Oct 26–30 | From Farm to Future: Agriculture | Agriculture & Natural Resources | South |
| 14 | Nov 2–6 | Code & Create: Technology | Technology | Northeast |
| 15 | Nov 9–13 | Glow Up: Beauty & Wellness | Beauty, Wellness & Personal Care | West |
| 16 | Nov 16–20 | Kitchen to Career: Culinary & Hospitality | Culinary Arts & Hospitality | West |
| — | Nov 23–27 | No Fair — Thanksgiving Break |
Winter: November 30 – December 2026
| # | Dates | Fair Name | Career Area Focus | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Nov 30–Dec 4 | Global Health Sciences | Health Sciences | Global |
| 18 | Dec 7–11 | Blueprints & Beyond: Engineering | Engineering | South |
| 19 | Dec 14–18 | Holiday Business Showcase | Business & Entrepreneurship | Northeast |
| — | Dec 21–Jan 1 | No Fair — Winter Break |
Spring Semester: January – June 2027
| # | Dates | Fair Name | Career Area Focus | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Jan 4–8 | New Year, New Path: Skilled Trades | Skilled Trades & Manufacturing | Midwest |
| 21 | Jan 11–15 | Discover: Fine Arts & Design | Fine Arts & Design | Global |
| 22 | Jan 18–22 | MLK Week: Social Impact & Justice | Social Impact | South |
| 23 | Jan 25–29 | Science Frontiers | Science & Research | West |
| 24 | Feb 1–5 | Lights, Camera, Action! | Performing Arts & Entertainment | West |
| 25 | Feb 8–12 | The Art of Beauty & Wellness | Beauty, Wellness & Personal Care | Midwest |
| 26 | Feb 15–19 | Law & Leadership | Law & Justice | Northeast |
| 27 | Feb 22–26 | Global Voices: Media & Communications | Media & Communications | Global |
| 28 | Mar 1–5 | Drive Your Future: Auto & Transportation | Automotive & Transportation | Midwest |
| 29 | Mar 8–12 | Innovators Fair: Technology | Technology | South |
| 30 | Mar 15–19 | Spring Health Fair | Health Sciences | Midwest |
| 31 | Mar 22–26 | Harvest & Habitat: Agriculture | Agriculture & Natural Resources | West |
| 32 | Mar 29–Apr 2 | Build the Future: Engineering | Engineering | Northeast |
| 33 | Apr 5–9 | Beauty Forward | Beauty, Wellness & Personal Care | South |
| 34 | Apr 12–16 | Global Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Entrepreneurship | Global |
| 35 | Apr 19–23 | Master Builder: Skilled Trades | Skilled Trades & Manufacturing | South |
| 36 | Apr 26–30 | Taste the World: Culinary & Hospitality | Culinary Arts & Hospitality | Global |
| 37 | May 3–7 | Future Storytellers: Media & Communications | Media & Communications | Midwest |
| 38 | May 10–14 | Education & Counseling Sendoff | Education, Counseling & Psychology | South |
| 39 | May 17–21 | Style & Wellness Showcase | Beauty, Wellness & Personal Care | Northeast |
| — | May 24–28 | No Fair — Memorial Day Break | ||
| 40 | Jun 7–11 | Summer Spectacular: Explore Every Path | All 16 Areas | Global |
Quick Reference: Student Interest → Best Fairs
| Student's Interest | Recommended Fairs |
|---|---|
| Health / Medicine / Nursing | #3 (Aug), #17 (Nov–Dec), #30 (Mar) |
| Engineering / STEM | #8 (Sep), #18 (Dec), #32 (Mar–Apr) |
| Technology / CS / Cybersecurity | #1 (Aug), #14 (Nov), #29 (Mar) |
| Skilled Trades / Vocational | #4 (Aug), #20 (Jan), #35 (Apr) |
| Business / Finance / Marketing | #2 (Aug), #19 (Dec), #34 (Apr) |
| Fine Arts / Design / Architecture | #6 (Sep), #21 (Jan) |
| Education / Teaching / Counseling | #5 (Aug–Sep), #38 (May) |
| Science / Research / Environment | #10 (Oct), #23 (Jan) |
| Culinary / Hospitality | #16 (Nov), #36 (Apr) |
| Automotive / Transportation | #9 (Sep–Oct), #28 (Mar) |
| Performing Arts / Film / Music | #11 (Oct), #24 (Feb) |
| Media / Journalism / Communications | #27 (Feb), #37 (May) |
| Law / Criminal Justice / Policy | #7 (Sep), #26 (Feb) |
| Agriculture / Environment | #13 (Oct), #31 (Mar) |
| Beauty / Wellness / Personal Care | #15 (Nov), #25 (Feb), #33 (Apr), #39 (May) |
| Unsure / Still exploring | #40 Summer Spectacular (Jun 7–11, 2027) |
Planning Tips
Start of year: Identify students in each career interest area and note the fairs most relevant to them. Build a promotion timeline 3–4 weeks before each fair.
CTE integration: Share this calendar with CTE department heads at the start of the year. Many teachers will promote relevant fairs directly to their classes if you make it easy.
The Summer Spectacular (#40, Jun 7–11): Recommend this fair to any student who hasn't found a clear path yet. It covers all 16 career areas and all regions — a good way to explore broadly.
Seniors vs. underclassmen: For seniors, prioritize fairs in the fall and early spring when admissions decisions are being made. For underclassmen, the spring fairs are great for career exploration without the pressure of immediate decisions.
Full schedule with links to each fair: collegefairsonline.com/calendar
Ready to Connect with Colleges?
Join our next virtual college fair to meet admissions representatives and learn more about programs that interest you.