Art Cairo 2026 returns to the Grand Egyptian Museum
From 22 to 26 January 2026, Art Cairo returns for its seventh edition at the Grand Egyptian Museum, a landmark venue that mirrors the fair’s growing cultural stature. Under the theme Arab. Art. Here., inspired by Mahmoud Darwish’s words, this year’s edition celebrates language as a living art form. The fair gathers leading galleries from across the Arab world and beyond, with new participants from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, Senegal and Nigeria. Art Cairo 2026 also pays tribute to Guirguis Lotfi, honouring his lifetime contribution to Egyptian art.
Image courtesy of Art Cairo
From 22 to 26 January 2026, Art Cairo returns for its seventh edition, taking place once again at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a setting that has become synonymous with the fair’s growing cultural stature. This year’s edition opens with an exclusive VIP preview on 22 January, before welcoming the public for five days of exhibitions, talks and regional showcases.
For more on Cairo's design scene, read our coverage of Cairo Design Week 2025.
Under the annual theme Arab. Art. Here, Art Cairo 2026 celebrates Arabic language as a living art form, inspired by the words of poet Mahmoud Darwish, “This is my language, my miracle, my magic wand”. The theme explores the poetic power of words and their ability to translate feeling, memory and imagination into art.
About Art Cairo 2026
Now in its fourth year at the Grand Egyptian Museum, Art Cairo continues to flourish within one of the world’s most iconic cultural spaces. The museum, which officially opened on 1 November 2025, stands as the largest institution dedicated to a single civilisation, an architectural and cultural milestone that embodies Egypt’s renewed global presence. For Art Cairo, hosting its new edition in this landmark venue marks both continuity and evolution, a dialogue between the ancient and the contemporary, between Egypt’s past and its creative future.
“This fair was created as a platform for Arab artists and galleries to thrive and to offer a space that feels accessible and inspiring to everyone, from loyal and young collectors to visitors who simply love to experience art.”, says Mohammed Younis, Founder and Director of Art Cairo.
For more on the wider GCC art scene, read our guide to art fairs across the Gulf.
The Guirguis Lotfi Tribute
This year’s edition will bring together leading galleries from across the Arab world and beyond, including returning names from Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, as well as new participants from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, Senegal and Nigeria. Art Cairo 2026 will also pay tribute to Guirguis Lotfi, honouring his lifetime contribution to Egyptian art and his enduring influence on generations of painters.
Following a record-breaking 2025 edition that drew over 15,000 visitors and achieved USD 1.2 million in sales, Art Cairo’s return signals a maturing market and a confident new era for the region’s creative landscape.
Visit: artcairo.com
Explore more of our guides and coverage across the region.