Arte Fiera Bologna
Italy's most historic modern and contemporary art fair
About Arte Fiera
The oldest art fair in Italy
When it comes to the art market in Italy, Bologna has always been the benchmark. Arte Fiera, established in 1974, is the longest-running modern and contemporary art fair in the country and every year, at the beginning of February, it draws collectors, gallerists, critics, and enthusiasts from all over Italy and abroad to the capital of Emilia-Romagna. The event takes place in the halls of BolognaFiere, in the municipality of Bologna, and has made the natural light of its halls one of its distinctive features.
Two halls, a dialogue between modern and contemporary
The heart of Arte Fiera is the coexistence of historical 20th-century art and the most recent research. The fair is divided into two halls: one dedicated to modern art, from the early 20th century to the post-war period, and one reserved for contemporary research and experimental practices. Alongside this structure are several curated sections by invitation, designed to provide thematic depth to the exhibition: photography, painting, multiple works, and perspectives on emerging generations coexist with the Main Section of the galleries.
More than just a fair: an art weekend in Bologna
Arte Fiera is not isolated in the exhibition district; it is the driving force behind an entire art weekend that involves the city. The ART CITY Bologna program, promoted by the Municipality, brings exhibitions, performances, talks, and installations to museums, galleries, and independent spaces in the historic center. The most anticipated event is the ART CITY White Night, the all-night art event where museums and exhibition spaces remain open until late in the evening. It is this synergy between the fair and the city that makes Bologna, for a few days, the Italian capital of art.
An event for collectors and the curious
While remaining a market fair, with galleries presenting works for sale, Arte Fiera is open to the general public and welcomes everyone who simply wants to journey through decades of Italian art history in a few hours. Talks, art book presentations, awards, and artist monographs complete the offering, making this event much more than a simple commercial showcase: a privileged observatory on the state of art in Italy.
Arte Fiera — edition 2026
The 49th edition of Arte Fiera, titled "Cosa sarà" (What will be) — a tribute to the famous song by Lucio Dalla, a singer-songwriter from Bologna — marked the debut of Davide Ferri as artistic director, with Enea Righi as operational director. The fair occupied two halls of BolognaFiere, with an exhibition path that created a dialogue between historical 20th-century art and the research of the latest generations, under the natural light of halls 25 and 26.
The edition brought together 201 participants, including 174 galleries, 12 publishing exhibitors, and 15 institutions. Alongside the Main Section, five curated sections by invitation marked the visitor's journey. The weekend was accompanied by the widespread ART CITY Bologna program and the ART CITY White Night on Saturday, February 7.
Programme Arte Fiera 2026
Dates and location
- Preview: Thursday, February 5, 2026
- Public opening: Friday, February 6 (12:00 PM - 7:00 PM), Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8 (11:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
- Venue: BolognaFiere, Halls 25 and 26, Costituzione entrance
Exhibition structure
Two halls in dialogue: Hall 26 dedicated to modern art, from the early 20th century to the post-war period; Hall 25 reserved for contemporary research and experimental practices. A total of 201 participants: 174 galleries, 12 publishing exhibitors, 15 institutions.
The five curated sections
- Ventesimo+ (20th Century+) — curated by Alberto Salvadori (20th-century art and beyond)
- Fotografia e dintorni (Photography and surroundings) — curated by Marta Papini
- Multipli (Multiples) — curated by Lorenzo Gigotti (multiple works, prints, new media)
- Pittura XXI (Painting 21st Century) — curated by Ilaria Gianni (painting from the new millennium)
- Prospettiva (Perspective) — curated by Michele D'Aurizio (research of emerging generations)
Awards and collateral events
- Award ceremony for the winning works of the open call "Energia fatta ad arte" (Energy Made into Art) (Emilia-Romagna Region and ENEA), Friday, February 6, at 6:00 PM in the Book Talk space
- Exhibition of the winners of the Zucchelli Competition 2025 and the Art Up 2025 prize
- Full schedule of Book Talks: presentations of photobooks, artist monographs, and critical meetings with curators and scholars
The art weekend in the city
- ART CITY Bologna (February 5-8), 14th edition, promoted by the Municipality of Bologna with the artistic direction of Lorenzo Balbi (MAMbo): over 300 events including exhibitions, performances, talks, and installations
- ART CITY White Night, Saturday, February 7: museums, galleries, and exhibition spaces open until late at night
Highlights Arte Fiera 2026
Prices Arte Fiera 2026
Practical information — Arte Fiera
Where it takes place
BolognaFiere, Halls 25 and 26, Costituzione entrance (Piazza della Costituzione), Bologna. The exhibition district is served by the Bologna Fiere train station and direct bus lines from the city center and the central station.
How to get there
By car: Tangenziale Fiera exit; ample parking in the exhibition area. By train: Bologna Centrale station is a few minutes away, with dedicated bus connections on the days of the fair. During Arte Fiera, a shuttle service connects the exhibition district to the city center.
Tickets
All admission tickets are digital, and online purchase is recommended to avoid queues. Reductions are available with Card Cultura and YoungER Card, and free entry for children up to 10 years old. Reductions and special offers can be purchased at the ticket office at the fair.
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Where does it take place — Arte Fiera
BolognaFiere — Padiglioni 25 e 26
Piazza della Costituzione 6, 40128 Bologna