Art and words wrapped in books, zines and passe-partouts. Fanzineist is an art book and zine fair that offers more than you might think.
- Large exhibition area
- Dozens of publishers
- Art, workshops, music & more too
- Free entry
- 2026 dates: May 22-24
- Book a two-hour walking tour* for your Vienna trip
- See also:
Art in print & more
(Typical view of the main exhibition area; press photo courtesy of Fanzineist)
Billed as an art book and zine fair, Fanzineist actually forms a wider contemporary art and music event.
The core is the exhibition hall and its numerous tables full of purchasable creativity, with the originators on hand to discuss their art, writing, and/or designs.
But you also get talks & workshops, concerts & performances, and more.
Having departed blossoming youthfulness many years ago, I used my time at the event simply to browse the exhibition area and left evening DJs to those born several decades later.
(Posters outside the venue on my visit)
The location certainly fits the fair. The Victorianesque early-industrial halls of the Atelierhaus of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna are full of wrought iron and tall doors for mythological giants (or perhaps just large-format artworks).
The Academy remains one of Vienna’s prestigious arts-focused universities with a long history. You can visit their public paintings gallery exhibitions. Many people still refer to its Atelierhaus as the Semperdepot, which once stored props and sets for theater and opera productions.
Today’s building now provides facilities for the university’s students and staff, but also serves as a venue. You can see the insides, for example, in the video to Lovelight by Robbie Williams.
On my visit to Fanzineist, the large exhibition hall featured several rows of tables with independent artists and publishers selling a mix of products.
(Press photo courtesy of Pilar Del Rio and Fanzineist)
The wares included original art, but also postcards, prints, graphic novels, art books, art zines, and even some textiles and clothes. I was much taken, for example, by the colourful animals of illustrator Pilar del Rio (pictured above) or the “deformed” photos of Vienna by Mariam Manzaneque.
Everything has a strong urban and international flavour (over 33 countries were represented on-site or in the online exhibition in 2025). And a relaxed atmosphere permeates the air, as so often at such events. Not a place for corporate marketing machines, thankfully.
Which means you can happily chat to people about their work, adding a welcome depth to the buying experience.
The overall impression was a reminder of the wealth of creativity still around in the world, not to mention the courage and entrepreneurialism required to turn imagined pictures and words into saleable items.
And, as an additional bonus, the Semperdepot happens to be close to one of my favourite coffee houses.
Dates, tickets & tips
The 2026 Fanzineist runs from May 22nd to May 24th. Entrance is normally free.
Opening times last time out were:
- Friday: 4pm to 9pm (entertainments until 11.30pm)
- Saturday: 1pm to 8pm (entertainments until 11pm)
- Sunday: midday to 6pm
How to get there
The event returns to the atmospheric Semperdepot: the location involves a short walk from public transport stops. For example:
Subway: walk from Karlsplatz station (on the U1 and U4 lines) or Kettenbrückengasse (U4).
Bus: walk from Laimgrubengasse (57A line).
Address: Lehárgasse 8, 1060 Vienna | Website (for the event)