Vienna is full of art museums, but also private galleries. And the Art Vienna fair brings the latter together with international guests to present a selection of art in a rather prestigious location.
- Fair for modern and (mainly) contemporary art
- Held in the Schönbrunn Palace Orangerie
- 2026 dates: TBA
- Book a classical concert* in Vienna
- See also:
What’s Art Vienna?
(A spring party on a winter’s day in the Schönbrunn Orangerie on Feb 6th, 1785; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 179092, published by Johann Hieronymus Löschenkohl; reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)
The clue to the event’s purpose is in the title. Though we’re not talking court portraits from the 17th century. Think Dalí, rather than Dürer.
Various galleries from Austria and abroad come together to present works from across the contemporary art spectrum, with a dash of Vienna modernism and modern art alongside. The featured artists typically include both established global names, local favourites, and upcoming talent.
The event occupies a prestigious historical location. Before 2022, this was the Hofburg, the former seat of the Habsburgs: a family and location with a rich artistic tradition of their own (the monarchs as collectors, the palace as a gallery for the contemporary art of its time).
Subsequent events continued the imperial theme by making their home in the 18th-century orangery of Schönbrunn Palace.
The orangery actually has a long musical history. Mozart and Salieri presented works there, for example, and the venue still hosts classical concerts today.
Dates, tickets & tips
I don’t see dates yet on the Art Vienna website at the time of writing. Keep an eye on that official website (see below) for full ticket and other details.
If attending, look out for any special in-fair exhibition.
One time, for example, we could enjoy Hofburg under the Carpet, where participating artists each took a specific carpet as a starting point for developing unique artwork that examined issues around power structures.
The previous fair featured the recurring F exhibition: a curated showcase of the work of contemporary women artists.
Should Art Vienna return to the orangery in 2026, note that the broader palace location and grounds are Vienna’s most popular visitor attraction. So you might want to reserve a bit of time for a palace tour, a wander through the park, or even a trip to the world-class zoo.
How to get to the Orangery
See here for more general directions and travel tips for reaching Schönbrunn.
This is one of the few attractions in Vienna that actually has significant adjacent parking facilities.
If you’re not arriving by car or taxi, then the quickest way is the U4 subway line to Schönbrunn station, since you emerge more or less opposite the orangery on one side of the palace complex.
Address: Schönbrunner Schlossstraße 47, 1130 Vienna | Website (for the event)