The Collector’s Guide to Global Art & Design Fairs: September 2025 – July 2026
The art and design fair calendar is a global sequence, not an assortment of unrelated events. From September 2025 through July 2026, a network of fairs in London, Paris, Milan, Doha, Hong Kong, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Brussels, and beyond will set the rhythm for acquisitions, curatorial decisions, and institutional programming.
This guide brings together the most significant fairs for fine art, collectible design, photography, and decorative arts. Each entry is supported by market positioning, collector-focused advice, and contextual notes that explain how to navigate these events effectively.
London — October 2025
Why This Week Matters: The week of 14–19 October 2025 is London’s high point in the global art calendar. Frieze London, Frieze Masters, and PAD London run alongside major auction house sales and gallery openings, attracting museum directors, international collectors, and top dealers. The overlap creates one of the most competitive buying environments in Europe.
Frieze London & Frieze Masters — 15–19 October 2025, The Regent’s Park
Frieze London is the UK’s leading fair for contemporary art, spanning established galleries and emerging programmes. Frieze Masters presents art from antiquity to the late 20th century, curated to museum standards. VIP days are essential for securing high-demand works.
PAD London — 14–19 October 2025, Berkeley Square
A tightly curated fair for 20th-century decorative arts and contemporary collectible design. Exhibitors are known for museum-quality pieces and impeccably designed stands. Early attendance is advised for serious acquisitions.
London — Late October 2025
Why This Week Matters: Following the intensity of Frieze Week, the focus shifts to vetted antiques and decorative arts. This period offers a calmer environment for considered acquisitions.
LAPADA Art & Antiques Fair — 28 October–2 November 2025, Berkeley Square
Europe’s largest association-run antiques fair, covering fine art, jewellery, silver, furniture, and an increasing share of modern decorative arts. Vetting adds buyer assurance.
London — Early March 2026
Why This Week Matters: Late winter in London sees a focus on high-level craft, with Collect London at Somerset House anchoring the week.
Collect (Crafts Council) — 28 February–2 March 2026, Somerset House
The leading international fair for contemporary craft and design. Exhibitors range from master makers in ceramics, glass, and textiles to experimental studios exploring innovative materials.
London — May 2026
Why This Week Matters: London Craft Week spreads across the city, opening workshops, galleries, and showrooms to the public and collectors.
London Craft Week — May 2026 (dates TBC)
A curated citywide programme celebrating heritage ateliers and contemporary artisans. Planning an itinerary by neighbourhood is key to managing the scale.
London — Summer 2026
Treasure House Fair — 26 June–1 July 2026, Royal Hospital Chelsea
An upscale fair for art, antiques, and design, timed to coincide with the London social season.
WOW!house — Summer 2026 (dates TBC), Design Centre Chelsea Harbour
A showhouse featuring rooms by leading interior designers and makers, ideal for identifying high-level craftsmanship in situ.
Paris — Late October 2025
Why This Week Matters: The week of 21–26 October 2025 is Paris Art Week. Design Miami/ Paris aligns with Paris+ par Art Basel, Paris Internationale, and multiple satellite events, making it one of Europe’s most dynamic cultural gatherings.
Design Miami/ Paris — 22–26 October 2025
A bridge between historic and contemporary collectible design. Strong participation from European design galleries, often debuting new commissions.
Paris Internationale — 22–26 October 2025
Known for its collaborative format and unconventional venues. Ideal for spotting emerging galleries with curatorial ambition.
Paris — November 2025
Paris Photo — 13–16 November 2025 (VIP preview 12 Nov)
The most important photography fair globally, covering vintage to contemporary works.
Paris — April 2026
Art Paris — 3–6 April 2026, Grand Palais Éphémère
A modern and contemporary art fair with strong European representation and curated thematic sections.
Milan — April 2026
Why This Week Matters: The week of 14–19 April 2026 is Milan Design Week, anchored by Salone del Mobile.
Salone del Mobile / Milan Design Week — 14–19 April 2026
The world’s largest design event, combining industrial design showcases with experimental installations in districts like Brera and Tortona.
Doha — February 2026
Why This Week Matters: The week of 3–7 February 2026 marks the debut of Art Basel Qatar, a strategic entry into the Gulf market.
Art Basel Qatar — 5–7 February 2026 (previews 3–4 Feb)
Introduces an artist-led curatorial model alongside participation from leading international galleries.
Hong Kong — March 2026
Art Basel Hong Kong — March 2026 (dates TBC)
Asia’s most important contemporary art fair, with strong participation from Greater China, Japan, and Korea.
New York — September 2025
Why This Week Matters: Early September aligns The Armory Show with Collectible NYC, giving access to both art and design in one trip.
The Armory Show — 5–7 September 2025
Combines blue-chip galleries with curated sections for emerging artists.
Collectible NYC — 4–7 September 2025
U.S. edition of the Brussels-based design fair, specialising in contemporary collectible design.
New York — May 2026
Frieze New York — May 2026 (dates TBC), The Shed
Compact but influential, focusing on leading contemporary galleries.
TEFAF New York — 15–19 May 2026
High-standard vetting and museum-quality fine and decorative arts.
Miami — December 2025
Why This Week Matters: The week of 1–7 December 2025 is Miami Art Week, dominated by Art Basel Miami Beach and Design Miami.
Art Basel Miami Beach & Design Miami/ — December 2025 (dates TBC)
The U.S.’s most significant art week, with global gallery participation and a strong secondary market presence.
Los Angeles — February 2026
Frieze Los Angeles — 26 Feb–1 Mar 2026
Mix of West Coast, Latin American, and international galleries.
Felix Art Fair — 25 Feb–1 Mar 2026
Smaller-scale fair with a hotel-based layout.
Brussels — January–March 2026
BRAFA — 25 Jan–1 Feb 2026
One of the oldest and most prestigious fairs in Europe, mixing antiquities and contemporary art.
COLLECTIBLE Brussels — 12–15 Mar 2026
Dedicated to contemporary collectible design.
Additional Markets
Frieze Seoul — 3–6 September 2025
Korea’s leading international fair.
Abu Dhabi Art — 19–23 November 2025
Key platform for Middle Eastern galleries.
India Art Fair (Delhi) — 5–8 February 2026
India’s largest modern and contemporary art fair.
Dallas Art Fair — 16–19 April 2026
Gaining prominence for U.S. collectors.
West Bund Art & Design (Shanghai) — 12–14 November 2025
China’s leading contemporary art and design fair.
Photo London — May 2026 (dates TBC)
Major photography fair at Somerset House.
Unseen Amsterdam — September 2025 (dates TBC)
Specialises in emerging photography.
Collector’s Playbook — 10 Insider Strategies
Map Overlaps — Plan travel to coincide with weeks where multiple fairs run in the same city, such as London in October or Paris in late October, to maximise exposure and efficiency.
Prioritise VIP Days — Access on the first day is critical; many works are reserved before the public enters. Secure invitations early through galleries or an advisor.
Pre-Select Galleries — Review exhibitor lists before arrival and shortlist must-see stands to focus time and energy.
Schedule Private Viewings — Ask galleries for off-floor appointments to see additional works they haven’t brought to the fair.
Track Thematic Sections — Many fairs organise curated areas; these can be the most coherent and well-presented places to discover new artists.
Integrate Auctions — Coordinate fair visits with major auction house sales in the same city to broaden acquisition opportunities.
Engage in Conversations — Speak directly with gallerists and dealers; relationships can open access to works in demand.
Document Your Viewing — Photograph labels and stands for reference — useful for follow-ups after the fair.
Attend Talks & Panels — Fairs often host high-quality conversations with artists, curators, and market experts, offering insight into current debates.
Visit Local Institutions — Pair fair attendance with museum and gallery visits to deepen market and cultural context.
FAQs — 10 Key Questions
1. How do I get invited to VIP preview days?
VIP access is typically reserved for established collectors, museum patrons, and clients of exhibiting galleries. Building relationships with galleries and working with an advisor can facilitate invitations. Some fairs also offer patron memberships that include preview access.
2. Which fairs are best for first-time collectors?
Fairs like Collect London, Art Paris, and Unseen Amsterdam offer a more accessible scale without sacrificing quality. These events often have works at a wider price range and exhibitors who are open to guiding new buyers.
3. What’s the difference between Frieze London and Frieze Masters?
Frieze London focuses on contemporary art from the 21st and late 20th centuries, while Frieze Masters spans from antiquities to the late 20th century, including Old Masters, modernists, and rare works on paper.
4. How should I budget for a fair trip?
Beyond acquisitions, factor in travel, accommodation near the fair, shipping for purchased works, insurance, and any premium VIP access fees. For major international fairs, costs can be comparable to a high-end holiday.
5. Are prices negotiable at fairs?
In some cases, yes — especially with mid-tier galleries or for works by emerging artists. For blue-chip works, prices are often fixed, but collectors may negotiate payment terms or framing and delivery inclusions.
6. Do fairs show the same works as galleries?
Not always. Many galleries reserve important or newly consigned works specifically for fairs to maximise exposure and sales potential. However, you may also see works from current gallery shows on view.
7. How early should I plan my trip?
Book at least three to six months in advance for major fairs, especially for hotels near the venue. VIP invitations and preview passes are often allocated weeks before public opening.
8. How do I choose between two fairs happening the same week?
Consider your collecting focus. For example, in late October 2025, a design-focused collector might prioritise Design Miami/ Paris, while a contemporary art collector might focus on Paris+ par Art Basel.
9. Are smaller fairs worth attending?
Yes. Boutique fairs often allow for deeper conversations with exhibitors and can be rich hunting grounds for unique works without the competition of larger events.
10. How do I track my purchases across fairs?
Maintain a central acquisition log noting fair name, gallery, artist, work details, and price. This ensures clarity for shipping, insurance, and collection records.