My calendar has been a bit of a mess since the year started: sporadic duties, plenty of rest and bedrot days, and gym or errands in between. But every year I make time for #ArtFairPH weekend, and this 2026 is no exception.
This year, all six floors of AFP felt jam-packed with art and people. We even had to go on a “speed run” round near the end to make it to our next appointment.
Read about previous ArtFairPH shows here.
What’s new in #ArtFairPH 2026
Visit their website: https://artfairphilippines.com
Art Fair Philippines was founded in 2013 and is now the biggest annual event for modern and contemporary visual art in the country. As someone who’s attended since 2015, I can highlight several new or recent changes to the fair:
- The price for a day pass remains at a fairly prohibitive PHP 750 since it hiked up in 2024. Before that, tickets were only PHP 450 (2023) all the way down to PHP 150 (2015).
- The fair moved location to Circuit Corporate Center One, an office tower beside the Circuit Mall in Makati City. Previous fairs were held in The Link and Ayala Triangle, closer to the main CBD. This change is likely part of Ayala’s move to transform Circuit into a contemporary art hub. Time will tell if the 2027 iteration will still be in Circuit.
- There are now more than a handful of areas dedicated for food, spaced across the top four or so floors. The food is definitely overpriced (as expected), but filling enough for those who might not have had lunch.
- AFP 2026 has a stronger international art presence. There were particularly a lot of galleries featuring Japanese artists (almost one floor’s worth, if I think about it). One of the most viral pieces is a durational art performance by Pitchapa Wangprasertkul.
Read more: Ayala Foundation unveils plans for soon-to-rise Contemporary Art Center in Circuit Makati
Eight hours a day, three days straight. My back, knees, and entire being hurt just thinking about it. I can bedrot with the best of them, but this is where art truly aspires toward the unhealthy. When I went around, she was working on a keynote presentation of some sort. Good luck.
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Maximizing your visit to Art Fair Philippines
Tickets Check for promos offered by major sponsors of the fair. For example, Globe offered 20% off #ArtFairPH tickets via the GlobeOne app this January. Globe Platinum subscribers can also avail free tickets onsite. We luckily copped free tickets (and lounge access we didn’t get to use) through BPI’s credit card program. Plus, students, senior citizens and persons with disability can get discounted tickets at PHP 300.
Timing Plan your visit to last at least 3 hours –or more, if you want to take a snack/drink break and if you really aim to see all floors. The fair is getting more and more crowded (with both art and people), so a quick visit won’t make for a comfortable experience. There were six full floors this year.
I still can’t say if it’s better to go on the first, second, or third day. It always seems to be crowded. But for the sake of parking, it’s best to go early in the day!
Getting There The official website of AFP has a dedicated page regarding commute and even accommodations. But I personally also took advantage of GrabCar’s special promo (30% off if going to or from Circuit Makati).
Getting Around Looking at reviews online, a common complaint is the steepness of the stairs at the corporate tower, making it tiresome to go up the different floors. It’s a genuine concern and needs to be improved for accessibility.
For now, the best hack is still to take the elevator all the way up to the 11th floor. Follow the numbered galleries for a no-brainer experience. Making your way down to the fifth is a lot easier on the knees instead of the other way around.
*The printed map is more of a souvenir than a necessity. Save the trees.
My favorites at AFP 2026
Here are some of my standout favorites (and Instagram dumps of more).
The expressive scenes and the matching figurines trigger my cuteness aggression. I am invested. This king is just a little guy.
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Yes.
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This arrangement immediately caught my attention walking into this gallery. The composition and the colors instantly communicate the twin states of depression and anxiety.
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A more whimsical emotion. It also reminded me of BTS Jimin’s Serendipity.
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Big canvasses with tiny details compel me.
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The texture of this piece is captivating; there are literal layers to this ink work. Waves of the sea.
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I was drawn to many pieces which had body horror and nature-related elements, primarily because I’ve been obsessed with the anime/manga Jujutsu Kaisen recently. This is a terrifying and beautiful piece.
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Art Fair Philippines 2026 presented a large and diverse collection of contemporary art, from small collectible figurines to large installments at the AFP/Projects section. It only requires a little time and patience to recognize what can personally inspire in the midst of all that rabble and art.
I remain excited for the day I have a big enough condo (and budget) to acquire pieces from the fair.
Coming soon: ALT ART 2026, the biggest alternative to Art Fair Philippines in Metro Manila, returns this February 13 to 15 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex. My schedule may or may not accommodate a visit. Regular tickets at PHP 500 are still available online.
On my radar: The 5th Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB2026) will happen this October 29, 2026 to February 28, 2027. I’ve been dreaming of going back to Thailand to visit their new giant contempoary art space, Dib Bangkok, and to finally go to Chiang Mai.
Until next time! ♥
jari m 
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