From 1 to 4 October 2026, the 17th edition of ArtVilnius will foster cross-regional exchange between Vilnius, Warsaw and Vienna
Contemporary art lovers may soon find themselves in the capital city of Lithuania—the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre, to be exact. This early October, Vilnius will be the meeting point for the 17th edition of ArtVilnius, the Baltic region’s largest contemporary art fair, exploring the dialogue, shared historical experiences and cross-regional exchanges between Warsaw, Vienna and of course, Vilnius.
It will also bring together 70 prominent galleries and institutions from over 20 countries, from the renowned Vienna-based Christine König Galerie to Romania’s Annie Klaus Gallery. “Looking at Vilnius alongside Warsaw and Vienna allows us to step outside the familiar boundaries of our regions,” said Neringa Bumblienė, artistic director and curator of the Vilnius Performance Art Biennial. “It reveals unexpected connections and differences, and gives us a chance to see ourselves and our neighbours from a different perspective.”
Highlights include The Path, an annual showcase of contemporary sculptures, installations and performance art that’s been curated by Vienna-based Aliaksei Barysionak for the first time ever. Through an open call, 11 artists were selected based on works that reflect on a world marked by war, forced migration and fragility.
Visitors can also look forward to creative workshops, guided tours with art historians, and ArtVilnius Talks, a three-day programme discussing art and business partnerships, digital catalogues and private collections.
Featured photo by Andrej Vasilenko