The unmissable art and culture events everyone will be talking about
Discover the exhibitions shaping conversations in the art world, offering everything from iconic masterworks to exciting new voices.
Whether you’re planning your next cultural getaway or looking to stay ahead of the art world’s biggest moments, this season offers an extraordinary lineup of exhibitions and events across the globe. These unmissable shows and events are shaping conversations, drawing international crowds, and redefining how we experience art today. Consider this your guide to the must-attend cultural highlights worth marking on your calendar—no matter where you are in the world.
Art Basel Festival
This leading global platform, founded by gallerists in 1970, connects collectors, galleries, and artists. This year, Indian fashion designer and entrepreneur Masaba Gupta will be participating in this celebration of art, culture, and heritage. At the event, onlookers will have the opportunity to experience Masaba’s specially curated collection of 20 exclusive pieces, presented alongside the evocative poetry of Canadian poet Rupi Kaur.
When: December 3
Where: Miami
Doug Aitken: UNDER THE SUN
The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) welcomes renowned American artist Doug Aitken as he debuts his first major exhibition in India. Boasting a multimedia format, it brings together sculpture, textiles, light, sound, and film in a three-part journey that traces our relationship with nature, technology, and time itself. Sprawled across three floors, viewers can expect to see hand-embroidered textiles inspired by India’s river systems, indigenous wooden sculptures, and an immersive, kaleidoscopic film ambience, which reflects the landscapes, memories, and shared ideas between India and the West. There’s also New Era—presented in a mirrored chamber—Aitken’s acclaimed film installation, which traces the story of the world’s first cellphone call and its inventor, Martin Cooper.
When: December 6 to February 22, 2026
Where: Mumbai
Modern Freskos
If the vintage frescoes seen in churches made a comeback today, how would they look? Berlin-based contemporary artist Paul Kuntze shows us his version as he presents his debut solo exhibition in India, which will be held at the city’s Black Cube Gallery. Featuring acrylic spray on canvas, his work reinterprets Baroque illusionistic frescoes through a modern lens, combining historical grandeur with the liberation of contemporary abstraction. In Kuntze’s own words, his creations “remind the viewer of original frescos but with intuitive parts in it, like the figures, to confront the viewers with their own creativity.”
When: December 5-27
Where: New Delhi
Maison&Objet
Showcased at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, this is the leading trade show for the interior design and home decor industry, featuring a wide range of products, expert talks, and workshops. From textiles to furniture, scents, fashion and accessories, visitors can expect to see a wide range of products, alongside top luxury brands, architects, retailers, and more. For this year’s theme, “Past Reveals Future”, Harry Nuriev, crowned Designer of the Year 2026, has crafted a space reflective of his creative spirit. Here, audiences will get to see everyday objects upgraded into coveted collectables.
When: January 15-19, 2026
Where: Paris
Serendipity Arts Festival
This Goa event will feature a wide array of programmes across visual arts, theatre, music, dance, craft, culinary arts, photography, and film. We’re especially excited to see Infinite Drape, curated by Rashmi Varma, which explores the infinite possibilities of sari draping in India, both classic and contemporary. Cementing the act of sari draping as an art in itself, it also displays the Sari Series, an online anthology created by Border&Fall, presented with the artisanal creations of Raw Mango.
When: December 12-21
Where: Goa
Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion
The world may be gripped by the clean girl aesthetic, but these artists beg to differ. Exploring the use of dirt and decay in fashion as a source of rebellion, originality, and innovation, this event highlights how designers are turning to elements like organic dirt, waste, and wear-and-tear to challenge traditional beauty standards and address sustainability and consumerism concerns. Featuring designers such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Maison Margiela, it brings together over a hundred looks from the past half-century to feast our eyes on!
When: Until January 25, 2026
Where: London
Rick Owens, Temple Of Love
Avant-garde fashion designer Rick Owens himself is the artistic director for this one, which features former collections from his eponymous label, alluding to his former Los Angeles life, till the present day. “The Lord of Darkness” pays tribute to his signature gothic grunge style, alongside a touch of monochromatic minimalism. Held at the Palais Galliera, this is the fashion capital’s first exhibition dedicated to Owens. In fact, the collection sprawls across the museum space as well as its garden. Peruse through 100 silhouettes (or more), Owen’s personal documents, and look out for a peek of “dust”, his signature grey shade!
When: Until January 4, 2026
Where: Paris
Cartier & Myths At The Capitoline Museums
Cartier traces the timeless allure of 150 archival pieces from its own collections over the years, alongside ancient Roman artefacts. And what better than the Eternal City itself to play hostess? With classical antiquity as the central theme, viewers can imbibe the historical legacy of Cartier, each one a living vestige that echoes past narratives of how mythology shaped the brand’s designs and high jewellery pieces. Look out for hidden historical motifs at Palazzo Nuovo, marble sculptures from the Cardinal Alessandro Albani collection, and more!
When: Until March 15, 2026
Where: Rome
Andy Warhol – Serial Portraits
Held at Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo, this exhibition is a tribute to the man himself, with a unique showcase of his portraiture work. The icons and lesser-known creations shall make their presence equally felt, honouring his contribution to the world of pop art, inundated with his vibrant works and mass-produced silkscreen prints. Start with a rare look at his early, ballpoint sketches of men from the 1950s, to photobooth shots that carried widespread visual impact.
When: February 15, 2026
Where: Tokyo
Art SG 2026
Southeast Asia’s leading global contemporary art fair will be held at Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre this year, spotlighting regional and international galleries. Divided into three sectors: Galleries, Focus and Futures, audiences will be treated to glimpses of larger–than-life installations, thought-provoking talks, performances and a film program in collaboration with Singapore’s ArtScience Museum.
When: January 23-25, 2026
Where: Singapore
Lead image: Pexels
Also read: Frieze 2025 proves London’s art energy isn’t gone—just evolving
