The World’s Most Prestigious Art Fairs (By Continent/Region)

The 2024 Artsy Art Fair Report stated that more than 350 art fairs took place that year worldwide. In recent years, art fairs have gained prominence outside Europe and the USA, opening new art markets. For gallerists and art collectors, the emotional pressure and energy necessary to see most of these have been leading to a phenomenon called fair-tigue. Thankfully, the abundance of art fairs globally makes it easier to find great art close to home. Here are the most prestigious art fairs with the highest attendance rates.

Art Basel started in 1970 as an art fair in Switzerland. Later, it expanded to Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Miami Beach was a perfect location, located just between Latin and North America. It attracted 30,000 visitors in its first year, rising to 79,000 in its 2023 edition. Art Basel Miami presents all forms of art within the modern and contemporary scene—paintings, sculptures, film, digital art, etc. It boasts a variety of pieces from both young artists and big established names. The most notable sales from the 2023 Art Basel Miami included Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, and Philip Guston. You can visit the famous art fair every December.

2. The Armory Show

The first Armory Show was a collective exhibition of modern artists in New York in 1913. It was the first such show in the United States, introducing Americans to European avant-garde movements such as Cubism and Fauvism. Since then, it has become an annual event, with the first art fair held in 1994 in several hotel rooms. The Armory Show aims to maintain New York’s status as the center for contemporary art. In 2024, 50,000 collectors and art lovers visited the show, which featured the works of Robert Motherwell and Yayoi Kusama. 

3. TEFAF New York

TEFAF is one of the leading European art fairs, usually taking place in Maastricht, the Netherlands (read more under Europe). However, in 2016, it opened a New York branch that soon joined the list of the most visited art events in the region. Previously, TEFAF New York had a Spring and Fall edition every year, yet after the coronavirus pandemic, they switched to annual spring events. TEFAF New York covers contemporary art and design, antiquities, and modern art. 

Art Toronto is dedicated to modern and contemporary art. It’s held downtown each year at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. In 2024, it celebrated its 25th edition and showcased over 100 galleries from Canada and abroad. The central exhibition explored the concept of home as both a physical and non-physical space. Art Toronto usually features a section for solo shows, a verge section for young galleries, and one for cultural Institutions. 

Europe: 1. ARCOmadrid

This Spanish fair is one of the most visited art fairs in the world, with almost 100,000 visitors in 2024. Given its connection to Latin America, it invites a large fanbase of art collectors from Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and more. Like with most other fairs, artists and galleries who exhibit here have the opportunity to win various awards. 

2. Frieze London

This contemporary art fair opens annually in The Regent’s Park, London. It started in 2003, when it was organized by the team of the contemporary art magazine Frieze. Following the post-pandemic drop in attendance, Frieze 2024 set a new record with 90,000 visitors. This year, Frieze London will represent 270 galleries from 43 countries.

3. TEFAF Maastricht

TEFAF’s original fair in Maastricht, Netherlands, prides itself on presenting 7,000 years of art history. It might feel a little like if you were walking through the Louvre or the Met, except that visitors are welcome to buy the Renoirs or the Greek gold jewelry at this large exhibition. TEFAF Maastricht sells paintings, sculptures, jewelry, decorative art objects, and even exquisite antique tableware. In 2024, the closing day of the fair was attended by 50,000 people.

In 2023, La Biennale Paris and Fine Arts Paris were merged into a single art fair that focuses on all types of art, from Antiquity to cutting-edge contemporary works. The 2024 FAB Paris took place in the Grand Palais, the famous glass exhibition hall built in 1900. FAB Paris united the networks of art dealers and collectors who frequented the two preceding fairs, growing in scale and expanding their reach.

5. BRAFA Art Fair

The biggest art fair in Belgium, BRAFA, promotes itself as more than an art fair. Every edition includes a special exhibition hosted by either a major museum, cultural institution, or artist. Art tours are provided to educate visitors about the masterpieces, and each day offers a schedule of art talks with experts. The special guests of the 2024 fair included the Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos and representatives from the Belgian Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage. 

6. PAD London

PAD stands for Pioneering Event of Art & Design. Living up to its name, it represents a collection of modern and contemporary art, design, and décor in London’s affluent Mayfair borough. In 2024, PAD London presented the works by Fernando Botero, Lucio Fontana, Niki de Saint Phalle, and others. Although this fair often hosts fewer galleries than its alternatives, some people are attracted to it for its selective, refined experience.

7. PAD Paris

PAD Paris is held near the Louvre at the Jardin des Tuileries. A large portion of its exhibitors are French, but galleries from China, the UK, and Greece also make the list. In addition to ceramics and jewelry, it often features indigenous, pre-Columbian, and Asian art. 

Melbourne Art Fair is the most influential art event in the Australasian region. It creates a platform for the region’s living artists. The 2025 edition will present artists from Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The fair has opened every two years since 1988, attracting thousands of visitors in each edition. 

2. India Art Fair in New Delhi

This annual fair takes place in India’s capital city of New Delhi. It is the leading event for South Asian contemporary art, which attracts thousands of local and international collectors. In recent years, it has been representing more Indian galleries to support emerging artists who are not on the international radar yet. It also has a program particularly designed for young art collectors.

Latin America: 1. ArtBo

ArtBo is held annually in Bogotá, Colombia. It is the official international art fair of Colombia, created by the nation’s Chamber of Commerce in 2005. Since its opening, it has become one of the leading art fairs in its region. Vogue magazine even dubbed it the Art Basel of Latin America. In 2024, the fair featured 39 galleries, 26 of which were Colombian. Despite a relatively small number of exhibitors, it nonetheless presents an extensive variety of local contemporary art, ranging from paintings inspired by pre-Columbian tradition to media works created with the use of AI.

2. arteBA

Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, arteBA opened its doors in 1991. In 2024, it featured over 400 artists, a performance program, charity initiatives, and a gastronomic experience designed specifically for the event. Some galleries came from Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Caracas, and Punta del Este. ArteBA is held annually during the summer months.

Zona Maco began in 2002 and is now the largest art fair platform in Latin America. In addition to contemporary art, it offers design pieces, photography, and antiquities. Apart from the main presentation, the 2024 edition of Zona Maco featured an array of parallel exhibitions, dance performances, and a meeting with the French multimedia artist ORLAN.

Africa and the Middle East: 1. Contemporary Istanbul

Contemporary Istanbul is an annual fair that opens every Fall. In 2024, it opened its doors for the 19th time with 50 galleries from 14 countries. Istanbul’s cultural scene is strengthening despite the region’s political instability. The city is fostering its art sector by hosting this event alongside the Istanbul Biennale and the opening of new museums and galleries.

2. 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

This is the most prestigious fair dedicated to African art worldwide. It began in 2013 in London but has expanded to locations in Marrakech and New York. The name is based on the 54 countries that comprise the African continent. Unfortunately, the Marrakech fair is less popular with art collectors due to its location. Still, it remains an important and well-organized event. The upcoming 2025 fair offers workshops on art and fashion as well as discussions on the connection between African cultural heritage and contemporary art. 

3. Art Dubai

Located in the major hub and financial center of the UAE, Art Dubai reported 30,000 visitors in its 2022 edition. The fair is managed by The Art Dubai Group, which provides a unique educational program to local artists. Today, Art Dubai is considered the leading art fair in the Middle East. The fair also runs several digital projects. The 2020 edition of the fair occurred entirely online due to the coronavirus pandemic.