Home to the heavyweight auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s, as well as international galleries like White Cube, Hong Kong has long lured collectors across the region. The arrival of Art Basel Hong Kong in 2013, however, cemented the city’s status as the art capital of Asia.
The veritable art fair’s 2026 edition, happening between March 27-29, 2026 features 240 galleries from 41 countries and territories, with a particular focus on Asia-Pacific. Today, there are other major events happening alongside the fair such as the decade-old Art Central and satellite activations across various districts creating an art month that spills over until the end of April.
Here are some of the highlights — within the fair halls and in the city beyond.
Zero 10: A digital art debut
Courtesy of Art Basel Hong Kong
The conversation around digital art has exploded now that we’re in the AI era, and Art Basel is prepared for this brave new world. Following the debut of Zero 10 at Art Basel Miami Beach last December, the fair has brought the initiative to the Hong Kong edition.
Curated by Eli Scheinman and presented by GoTone Privilege Club, Zero 10 is a dedicated platform to showcase how digital art can be exhibited as well as collected today. The launch features 14 exhibitors with highlighted pieces including a participatory blockchain-based work by Robert Alice presented by Onkaos and digital animations by DeeKay presented by AOTM.
Encounters: Larger-than-life artwork
Artist Christine Sun Kim’s site-specific digital animation installation, A String of Echo Traps, at Pacific Place
Courtesy of Swire Properties
While majority of fair halls are dedicated to world-class galleries showcasing contemporary artwork and established talent, Art Basel has also successfully established Encounters — a sector dedicated to large-scale sculpture, installations and performance art. This edition features a new curatorial team lead by Mami Kataoka, alongside Isabella Tam, Alia Swastika, and Hirokazu Tokuyama.
Encounters also has a major presence outside the Hong Kong Convention Centre, with an exclusive offsite presentation at Pacific Place. Artist Christine Sun Kim crafted a site-specific digital animation installation, A String of Echo Traps, which is displayed at Pacific Place’s Park until 12 April 2026.
Louis Vuitton and Frank Gehry: A collaboration in focus
Louis Vuitton’s booth is an ode to Frank Gehry
Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
The French maison has long championed creative talent outside the fashion sphere, partnering with the biggest and brightest to create bold projects and covetable collections. Case in point: the legendary architect Frank Gehry, who they’ve been working with over the last two decades, beginning with Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris — a futuristic building made of striking “icebergs” that pierce the sky.
For Art Basel Hong Kong 2026, Louis Vuitton has created a retrospective booth dedicated to Gehry, showcasing his most compelling architecture work, the Louis Vuitton x Frank Gehry handbags collection, as well as an insight into the revered architect’s creative process.
Public Art in Play: Engaging the city
Imagination Investments, a three-part exhibition by London-based artist Coco Capitán at Taikoo Place
Courtesy of Swire Properties
There’s also plenty to be found outside the fair itself, with the likes of Swire Properties running month-long activations across their spaces. A highlight is ArtisTree Selects: Imagination Investments, a three-part exhibition by London-based artist Coco Capitán at Taikoo Place. Running until 26 April 2026, the installation features paintings, photography and sculptural installation anchored on Hong Kong’s identity as a trading port and its seafaring heritage.
At H Queens, the purpose-built art and cultural space in Central, galleries such as David Zwirner and Tang Contemporary Art are presenting solo exhibitions by Walter Price and Yue Minjun, alongside pop-up exhibitions from Knotting Space, New Art Est-Quest Auction, and PAVILION. Luxury hotels are also creating notable cultural initiatives, with Rosewood Hong Kong collaborating with Dutch artist Frankey to create Lucky Dragon, a participatory sculpture that’s on display at the lobby until 22 April 2026.
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