VR/AR Conference Guide 2025: The Top Events You Absolutely Can’t Miss

A photo of a AR VR event with a large audience. The speaker is standing on stage, wearing a suit and a VR headset. The audience is seated in chairs and is attentively listening to the speaker. There are multiple large screens at the back of the stage displaying the speaker's presentation. The lighting is bright.

Ready to dive into the XR world in 2025? Here’s your ultimate cheat sheet for the hottest immersive tech events of the year!

Just click on any event name in the table below, and voilà—you’ll be instantly transported to the full deets on what’s happening, where, and why you can’t afford to miss it.

EventWhenWhere
CES 2025Jan 7-10, 2025Las Vegas, NV, USA
METAVSUMMIT 2025Jan 7-8, 2025Dubai, UAE
MIT Reality Hack 2025Jan 23-27, 2025Cambridge, MA, USA
SPIE AR/VR/MR 2025Jan 27-29, 2025San Francisco, CA, USA
Pocket Gamer Connects 2025 (London)Jan 20-21, 2025London, UK
Pocket Gamer Connects 2025 (San Francisco)Mar 17-18, 2025San Francisco, CA, USA
MWC25Mar 3-6, 2025Barcelona, Spain
SXSW XR Experience 2025Mar 9-11, 2025Austin, TX, USA
IEEE VR 2025Mar 8-12, 2025Saint-Malo, France
XR EXPO 2025Mar 26-27, 2025Germany
AWE USA 2025Jun 10-12, 2025Long Beach, CA, USA
AWE Asia 2025Aug 24-26, 2025Singapore Expo, Singapore
AWE Austria 2025Nov 19-20, 2025Vienna, Austria
Laval Virtual 2025Apr 9-11, 2025Laval, France
GDC 2025Mar 17-21, 2025San Francisco, CA, USA
SIGGRAPH 2025Aug 10-14, 2025Vancouver, BC, Canada

1. CES 2025

Portrait of a woman with vibrant pink hair, wearing bright orange sunglasses, smiling joyfully. Surrounding her are colorful, wavy patterns. Overlaid text reads: 'Connect. Solve. Discover. Dive In.'
  • When: January 7-10, 2025
  • Where: Las Vegas, NV, USA

Kick off the year with the biggest consumer tech event on the planet. CES is where the hottest new gadgets debut, and 2025 will be no different.

From sleek VR headsets to jaw-dropping AR demos, it’s all here.

Plus, with keynote talks from industry legends, you’ll get a sneak peek at what’s next in the world of immersive tech.

Why You Should Go: Get your hands on the latest devices before anyone else and maybe even rub elbows with some of tech’s biggest innovators.

2. METAVSUMMIT 2025

Futuristic digital artwork promoting the 'META V SUMMIT' in Dubai, scheduled for January 7-8, 2025. It features a person with vibrant blue hair wearing VR goggles, set against a cosmic background with vivid colors and stars, creating an immersive, high-tech atmosphere.
  • When: January 7-8, 2025
  • Where: Dubai, UAE

The metaverse isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s a whole new reality.

METAVSUMMIT is the place to be for all things crypto, AI, and, of course, the metaverse.

Expect deep dives into the future of virtual worlds, plus plenty of networking with investors, developers, and dreamers.

Why You Should Go: If you’re looking for investment opportunities or want to pitch your next big idea, this is your chance. Plus, Dubai in January? Yes, please.

3. MIT Reality Hack 2025

Colorful 'Reality Hack' logo featuring geometric shapes against a dark background. The logo includes text that reads 'Experiential Technology Hackathon at MIT, January 23-27, 2025.'
  • When: January 23-27, 2025
  • Where: Cambridge, MA, USA

MIT Reality Hack is the ultimate tech playground for creators and innovators! This annual hackathon at MIT in Cambridge brings together tech lovers, students, and experts from around the world to dive into VR, AR, AI, and more.

Whether you’re a coding pro or a creative genius, you’ll have everything you need to turn your wildest ideas into reality. It’s a high-energy space for building, learning, and connecting with like-minded people who are just as passionate about tech as you are.

Why You Should Go: MIT Reality Hack is the perfect place to team up with fellow creators and take your skills to the next level. Turn your dream project into something real and make connections that could change everything.

4. SPIE AR/VR/MR 2025

Futuristic graphic of a VR headset against a blue digital background. Text reads: 'SPIE AR | VR | MR: The premier event for AR, VR, and MR hardware development.'
  • When: January 27-29, 2025
  • Where: San Francisco, CA, USA

If you’re into the nitty-gritty of XR tech (think hardware, optics, and the latest AR innovations), then SPIE is your jam.

This conference brings together scientists, engineers, and tech gurus to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Why You Should Go: Learn from the smartest minds in the industry and maybe catch a glimpse of groundbreaking tech before it hits the mainstream.

5. Pocket Gamer Connects 2025

Banner for 'Pocket Gamer Connects' featuring two city skylines: London with a UK flag for the January 2025 event, and San Francisco with a US flag for the March 2025 event.
  • When: January 20-21, 2025
  • Where: London, UK

  • When: March 17-18, 2025
  • Where: San Francisco, CA, USA

Gaming is one of the biggest drivers of AR and VR.

Pocket Gamer Connects is a must-attend for anyone in the mobile gaming space. Expect panels, pitch sessions, and endless opportunities to connect with over 2,500 industry pros.

Why You Should Go: Perfect for indie devs, publishers, and gaming fanatics who want to learn and network.

6. MWC25

Man speaking on stage to a large audience, with promotional text for MWC25 Barcelona, a major connectivity event taking place March 2-6, 2025, at Fira Gran Via.
  • When: 3-6 March, 2025
  • Where: Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain

It’s not just about mobile phones anymore.

MWC (Mobile World Congress) has become a hub for all things tech, from 5G to IoT and, of course, immersive reality.

If you want to see how AR/VR is making waves across industries, this is the place to be.

Why You Should Go: It’s where the world’s tech leaders gather, and the after-parties are legendary. Plus, Spain’s calling!

7. SXSW XR Experience 2025

A person wearing a VR headset interacts with a digital exhibit, standing against a vibrant orange background. Large text in the scene reads, 'Find Your Blue Sky' and 'XR Experience Exhibition.
  • When: March 9–11, 2025
  • Where: Austin, TX, USA

Tech, music, film, culture—SXSW has it all.

It’s where new trends are born, and in 2025, you can bet XR will be a big part of the mix.

From innovative panels to mind-blowing demos, it’s a festival and a conference rolled into one.

Why You Should Go: Immerse yourself in a melting pot of creativity, innovation, and fun. Plus, BBQ. Need we say more?

8. IEEE VR 2025

Welcome banner for the IEEE VR 2025 conference in Saint-Malo, France, scheduled for March. The design features a pirate-themed octopus wearing an eye patch and a pirate hat, set against a scenic coastal view of Saint-Malo’s historic architecture and seaside landscape.
  • When: March 8-12, 2025
  • Where: Saint-Malo, France

The OG of virtual reality conferences, IEEE VR has been bringing together researchers and tech geeks since 1993.

It’s where you can get nerdy about VR and 3D interfaces, with presentations that range from cutting-edge research to future-forward applications.

Why You Should Go: Whether you’re deep into academia or just love the tech, this is the place to geek out with the best.

9. XR EXPO

A vibrant tech conference hall filled with attendees actively networking. Small groups gather around tall tables, animatedly discussing ideas. Large, bright screens in the background display dynamic technology-related visuals, adding to the energetic atmosphere.
  • When: March 26-27, 2025
  • Where: Germany

Brace yourself for two days of mind-blowing XR magic at XR EXPO! This isn’t your average tech conference—it’s where the coolest virtual and augmented reality tools strut their stuff.

Think jaw-dropping demos, interactive sessions that’ll make you feel like a tech wizard, and the chance to meet Europe’s top XR game-changers.

Whether you’re here to spot the next big thing, level up your business, or just geek out, XR EXPO has your back.

Why You Should Go: It’s like stepping into the future—but with coffee breaks. Plus, where else can you say, “I saw it here first!” about tech that’s about to blow up?

10. AWE XR 2025

Three vibrant banners promoting AWE 2025 conferences in the USA, Asia, and Europe. Each banner features a city skyline illuminated with colorful lights, highlighting iconic landmarks unique to each region.
  • When: June 10-12, 2025
  • Where: Long Beach, CA, USA

  • When: August 24-26, 2025
  • Where: Singapore Expo, Singapore

  • When: November 19-20, 2025
  • Where: Vienna, Austria

The biggest AR/VR/MR event on the planet. AWE XR brings together everyone from developers and investors to brands and creators.

With workshops, talks, and exhibits, it’s a massive playground for all things immersive tech.

Why You Should Go: See the latest mind-blowing tech, rub elbows with industry bigwigs, and get hands-on with the future of XR—all in one epic place!

11. Laval Virtual 2025

Futuristic scene featuring five silhouetted figures walking toward large, glowing neon geometric shapes in vibrant colors. Text reads: 'Europe's Biggest XR Event, April 9-11, 2025' in bold, illuminated font.
  • When: April 9-11, 2025
  • Where: Laval, France

Europe’s longest-running XR event. Laval Virtual is the go-to for anyone who wants to see where AR and VR are headed next.

With tons of exhibitors and top-notch speakers, it’s the place to be for innovators and industry leaders alike.

Why You Should Go: The charm of a historic French town, plus cutting-edge tech. Win-win!

12. GDC 2025

Bold 'GDC' text displayed over a dynamic purple and black striped background. Below, yellow text reads: 'For Developers, By Developers.' The design is vibrant and energetic.
  • When: March 17-21, 2025
  • Where: San Francisco, CA, USA

GDC (Game Developers Conference) is the event for game developers, and with VR gaming on the rise, expect tons of sessions dedicated to immersive experiences.

It’s where the gaming world meets the future of gameplay.

Why You Should Go: Whether you’re a developer, designer, or just love games, this is where you’ll find your tribe.

13. SIGGRAPH 2025

Futuristic city skyline with tall, neon-lit skyscrapers and glowing rings floating above them. The text 'SIGGRAPH 2025' appears prominently in the foreground. In the background, mountains rise under a bright, sunny sky.
  • When: August 10–14, 2025
  • Where: Vancouver, BC, Canada

The premier event for computer graphics and interactive techniques, SIGGRAPH has been leading the way for years.

It’s not just about pretty pixels—expect major advancements in VR, AR, and MR tech, too.

Why You Should Go: Get inspired by the latest in visual effects, gaming, and immersive storytelling. Plus, connect with the creative minds pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Note: This article has undergone peer review and adheres to the highest editorial standards.