ART X Lagos 2026 is set for 5 to 8 November, and it is already one of the most anticipated dates on the West African art calendar. The fair brings galleries, collectors and artists from Africa and its diaspora to Lagos for four days of exhibitions, talks and live music. This guide explains what is confirmed, what is still unannounced, and how to plan a visit around the other major art events happening in Lagos this season.
ART X Lagos 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Dates | Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 November 2026, per the organiser |
| Edition | 11th edition |
| Venue | Not yet announced as of mid-October (the 2025 fair was at the Federal Palace) |
| Tickets and hours | Not yet published as of mid-October |
| Founded | 2016, by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig |
The Rio Times reported on 11 October that the organiser has confirmed the dates but not the venue, opening hours or ticket prices, and advised travellers to choose flexible bookings until those details arrive. Arise describes this as the 11th edition of the fair.
What Is ART X Lagos?
ART X Lagos presents contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora and aims to position Lagos as a major cultural hub. Since it began, it has paired gallery presentations with curated special projects, a talks series called ART X Talks and live music known as ART X Live!, according to Contemporary And. That mix of commerce, conversation and culture is why many visitors treat it as a festival as much as a fair.
What the 2025 Edition Tells Us About ART X Lagos 2026
The tenth edition ran from 6 to 9 November 2025 at the Federal Palace in Lagos, the Guardian reported. Its main section included galleries from Lagos, Kampala, Douala, Accra and London, among them Nike Art Gallery, kó, Tiwani Contemporary and Gallery 1957, while curator-at-large Missla Libsekal led the special projects. If the 2026 fair follows a similar shape, expect a compact programme of gallery booths, talks and evening events.
Nike Art Gallery is a useful link to Yoruba art. Its founder, Nike Davies-Okundaye, is a master of adire and batik, and you can read her story in our Nike Davies-Okundaye biography. For deeper roots, see our guides to Yoruba artists and the Osogbo art school.
Other Lagos Art Events This Season
- Lagos Biennial: the fifth edition runs from 17 October to 18 December 2026, so you can combine it with the fair. See our guide to the Lagos Biennial 2026.
- Design Week Lagos: 18 to 25 October at multiple venues, according to the Guardian. Read our Design Week Lagos 2026 guide.
- Lagos Fringe: 3 to 8 November, covering theatre, performance, visual art and workshops, per the same Guardian listing.
- Àkéte Collection: the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is due to open in October 2026, Arise reports.
Tips for Visiting ART X Lagos 2026
- Book refundable flights and hotels until the venue and hours are confirmed.
- Buy tickets only from the organiser’s official channels, never from resellers or social media offers.
- Allow extra time for Lagos traffic, and plan evening events carefully.
- Add a heritage stop. Our Lagos Island heritage walk and history of Lagos add context to the art you will see.
ART X Lagos 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is ART X Lagos 2026?
It runs from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 November 2026, according to the organiser as reported by The Rio Times.
Where is the fair held?
The 2026 venue had not been announced in mid-October. The 2025 fair took place at the Federal Palace, Victoria Island.
Who founded ART X Lagos?
Tokini Peterside-Schwebig founded it in 2016, as Contemporary And and the Guardian both report.
Details can change. Check the organiser’s official channels for the latest venue, hours and ticket information.
Sources and Photo Credits
- The Rio Times: Art X Lagos Art Fair runs 5 to 8 November 2026
- Arise: Lagos ranks among the world’s top seven art destinations for 2026
- Guardian: ART X Lagos concludes its tenth edition
- Contemporary And: ART X Lagos programme background
- Guardian: Five events happening this quarter
Stock photos from Unsplash: Dannie Jing (featured image), Pauline Loroy and Jessica Pamp. They are illustrative and not from the fair.
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