London Art Fair 2027

London Art Fair is the first major art fair of the year in the UK, and its 39th edition takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington from 20 to 24 January 2027, with a VIP preview on 19 January. Over a hundred galleries bring modern British art, contemporary painting, sculpture, prints and photography, at prices that range from a few hundred pounds to major museum-level works.

It is known as one of the most approachable art fairs in London, and a good place to buy a first original work.

About London Art Fair

The fair was founded in 1989 and has been held every January since at the Business Design Centre, a Victorian former agricultural hall on Upper Street. It has a particular strength in modern British art, the painters, printmakers and sculptors of the 20th century, shown alongside contemporary galleries from across the UK and abroad.

Curated sections give space to younger galleries and to photography, and each year the fair works with a partner museum or public collection that presents a display from its holdings.

What to Expect

• Modern British art: paintings, drawings and prints by 20th-century British artists
• Contemporary galleries from London, the rest of the UK and abroad
• Curated sections for emerging galleries and artists
• Photography: a curated section and galleries specialising in photographic prints
• Museum partner display: works from a UK public collection
• Talks and tours on collecting, artists and the art market

2027 Programme

The VIP preview is on Tuesday 19 January 2027, and the fair is open to the public from Wednesday 20 to Sunday 24 January, closing at 5pm on the final day. The exhibitor list, the curated sections and the talks programme are announced on the official website in the weeks before.

Who Is It For?

• Artists and art students who want to see the UK gallery scene in one place
• First-time buyers looking for affordable original work
• Printmakers and illustrators, with many galleries showing prints and works on paper
• Photographers interested in how galleries present and sell photography
• Established collectors of modern British art

Tickets

Tickets are sold on the official London Art Fair website, usually at a lower price when booked in advance. The VIP preview on 19 January is by invitation or with a premium ticket. Check the website for prices and late-opening evenings.

Tips for Artists and First-Time Buyers

If you are an artist, the fair is a snapshot of the British gallery world at the start of the year. Look at which galleries show work close to yours, how they hang and price it, and which artists appear on several stands. The curated sections for emerging galleries are the most likely place to find galleries open to new artists, but do not bring a portfolio to the stands; note the names and follow up later by email, after looking at their programmes.

If you want to buy, set a budget first and walk the whole fair before deciding. Ask about editions and condition for prints, and about payment plans: many UK galleries take part in schemes that let you spread the cost of a work over several months.

The talks programme covers topics from starting a collection to the careers of artists on show.

Planning Your Visit

The fair spreads over several levels of the Business Design Centre. Pick up a floor plan at the entrance and start with the sections that interest you most, as the fair is too large to see thoroughly in a short visit. Many visitors combine the fair with the galleries and museums of Islington, Clerkenwell and King's Cross, all within easy reach.

Things to Know

• Getting there: the Business Design Centre is a short walk from Angel Underground station, and Highbury & Islington is nearby.
• Busy times: weekends are busiest; weekday afternoons are calmer.
• Upper Street: the area has plenty of cafés and restaurants for a break.
• Cloakroom: January is cold, and there is a cloakroom for coats and bags.
• Shipping: galleries can usually arrange delivery for larger works.

Attend London Art Fair 2027

Planning a visit?

Visit London Art Fair

The exhibitor list, curated sections, talks and tickets are on the official London Art Fair website.

Looking for more to see? Browse all events, festivals and exhibitions on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 19, 2026