Art fairs are more than just markets—they are markers in time.
They reflect the current state of the art world, signal pivotal moments in an artist’s career, and often mark turning points in a collector’s journey. Bringing together galleries, curators, collectors, and artists from around the world, art fairs offer a concentrated glimpse into what’s now—and what’s next. For collectors, they are part discovery, part education, and part connection. For galleries, they’re an opportunity to reach a global audience. And for artists, they’re a stage—sometimes a launching one.
The origins of art fairs trace back to the late 1960s, when galleries sought to challenge the dominance of auction houses and build more direct relationships with collectors. Art Cologne, founded in 1967, was the first of its kind. Art Brussels followed in 1968. But it was the launch of Art Basel in 1970 that truly set the format for what would become the contemporary art fair as we know it: a large-scale, booth-style exhibition with curated sections, special projects, and VIP programming.
Today, there are more than 300 art fairs annually. While the field has grown exponentially, a core group of events continue to define the rhythm of the global art calendar. Below is a month-by-month guide to some of the most notable fairs.
Art Fair Calendar (selection): Month by Month
January
- UNTITLED, Miami – An important fair for emerging and established contemporary art
- India Art Fair, New Delhi – The leading platform for contemporary and modern South Asian art
February
- Zona Maco, Mexico City – Latin America’s most prominent art fair
- Frieze Los Angeles – West Coast edition of the influential global fair
March
- TEFAF Maastricht – One of the most prestigious fairs for museum-quality works, from antiquities to modern works
- Art Dubai – A fair connecting the Middle East and South Asia to the global art scene
April
- Miart, Milan – Italian modern and contemporary galleries with strong international programs
- Art Brussels – One of Europe’s oldest fairs, known for emerging and established talent
May
- Frieze New York – Held at The Shed, a curated and intellectual take on the global fair format
- 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, New York – Focused on artists from Africa and its diaspora
June
- Art Basel, Basel – The flagship fair and arguably the art world's most influential event
- Design Miami/Basel – A premier destination for collectible design
- Volta Basel – Platform for emerging international galleries
July and August
- The art world is its quietest during these months. A perfect opportunity for you to plan your art world itinerary.
September
- The Armory Show, New York – A pillar of the U.S. art market
- EXPO Chicago – A platform for contemporary and modern work on the shores of Lake Michigan
- Frieze Seoul – A relatively new edition but already an essential hub for the Asian art scene
October
- Frieze London & Frieze Masters – The duo pairing contemporary and historical works in Regent’s Park
- FIAC / Paris+ par Art Basel – Art Basel’s Paris edition, launched in 2022, quickly becoming a staple of the art world calendar
- Artissima, Turin – Italy’s most experimental and curatorial fair
November
- Paris Photo – The world’s leading fair dedicated to photography
- Abu Dhabi Art – A second experience for collecting Middle Eastern and South Asian artists
December
- Art Basel Miami Beach – A cultural (and social) climax of the year
- NADA Miami – A counterpoint to Basel with an focus on emerging galleries
- Design Miami – Parallel to Basel, focused on collectible design
