2026's Must-See African Art Fairs and Exhibitions
- Alex A
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
As African art continues to command growing institutional, curatorial, and market attention, 2026 offers a far-reaching calendar of fairs and biennales across Africa, Europe, and the United States. From Dakar’s city-wide exhibitions to Parisian fair halls and London’s historic Somerset House, these gatherings provide essential platforms for encountering contemporary African and diasporic artistic practices.
Whether you’re planning your travels around art or tracking the global movements shaping African visual culture, here are the fairs and exhibitions worth seeing in 2026.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair - Marrakech
Dates: 5–8 February 2026
Location: Marrakech, Morocco
Opening the year’s calendar, 1-54 Marrakech brings together leading galleries and emerging voices in an intimate fair setting. Alongside booth presentations, the programme includes talks, collector events, and city-wide cultural partnerships that position Marrakech as a key gateway to contemporary African art.
Investec Cape Town Art Fair
Dates: 20–22 February 2026
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
The largest contemporary art fair on the continent returns with an international roster of galleries and curators. Installations, talks, and museum collaborations unfold across the city, reinforcing Cape Town’s status as one of Africa’s major art capitals.
EXPO Chicago
Dates: April 2026
Location: Chicago, United States
EXPO Chicago has grown into a key international platform for galleries representing African and diasporic artists. Its curated sections and museum partnerships provide strong institutional exposure within the US market.
Dak’Art - Biennale of Contemporary African Art
Dates: May – June 2026
Location: Dakar, Senegal
Among the continent’s most historically significant biennales, Dak’Art transforms Senegal’s capital into a city-wide exhibition platform. Museums, public squares, and independent art spaces host work engaging politics, postcolonial histories, migration, and identity.
RMB Latitudes Art Fair
Dates: 22–24 May 2026
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Set within the lush Shepstone Gardens, RMB Latitudes offers an alternative fair format that blends indoor and outdoor exhibitions. With a strong focus on emerging artists, the fair has become a discovery hub for collectors seeking new contemporary voices.
The Armory Show
Dates: September 2026
Location: New York, United States
One of America’s premier contemporary art fairs, The Armory Show regularly features African artists through international gallery programmes. Its curatorial focus on global perspectives makes it an important visibility platform.
East Africa Art Biennale
Dates:15 September – 20 November 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
This fast-rising biennale spotlights East Africa’s expanding creative ecosystems through exhibitions, performances, and public interventions exploring sustainability, urbanism, and digital futures.
AKAA - Also Known As Africa
Dates: October 2026
Location: Paris, France
Paris’ dedicated African contemporary art fair, AKAA brings together galleries from across Africa and the diaspora within the cultural heart of Europe. Beyond the fair booths, AKAA hosts talks, performances, and special exhibitions exploring cross-continental dialogues.
Frieze London & Frieze Masters
Dates: October 2026
Location: London, United Kingdom
Frieze Week has become a critical moment for African and diasporic artists on the global stage. Alongside contemporary presentations at Frieze London, Frieze Masters provides historical context through modern and early contemporary works.
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair - London
Dates: October 2026
Location: London, United Kingdom
Held at Somerset House, 1-54 London remains the leading African art fair outside the continent. It convenes top galleries, collectors, and institutions while anchoring London’s wider African art programming during Frieze Week.
Lagos Biennial
Dates: 17 October – 18 December 2026
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Known for staging ambitious exhibitions in repurposed industrial and historic sites, the Lagos Biennial foregrounds experimental installation, research-driven curatorship, and socially engaged practice.
Art X Lagos
Dates: November 2026
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
West Africa’s leading international art fair, Art X Lagos continues to shape the region’s commercial and cultural landscape. Known for spotlighting both established and emerging artists, the fair also includes design showcases, film screenings, and collector forums.
Art Basel Miami Beach
Dates: December 2026
Location: Miami, United States
Closing the year, Art Basel Miami Beach gathers the global art world with African artists consistently presented by leading international galleries. Satellite fairs and museum exhibitions across the city further amplify diasporic representation.
2026’s calendar reflects the dynamic evolution of contemporary African art, not just within traditional fair environments but across biennales, design platforms, and citywide cultural activations. From Marrakech’s intimate curatorial networks to Lagos’ expansive urban exhibitions, these events chart diverse ways to engage with artistic practices rooted in African experience and imagination.
