Bring together a host of art galleries and what do you get? A lot of discussion, for starters. And a rather considerable amount of art. Now throw in interesting side events, and you get viennacontemporary.
- Contemporary art fair with a strong international reach
- 95+ galleries from 20+ countries last time out
- 2026 dates: provisionally Sept 17-20
- Book a concert experience* in Vienna
- See also:
Galleries from all over
(View of an earlier fair; press photo courtesy of viennacontemporary and © kunst-dokumentation.com)
It’s easy to stare up at all those old buildings and see Vienna as a time capsule and its art museums as preservers of the past. But that’s just not true.
Art in Vienna sticks its fingers into numerous creative pies. This includes contemporary art, of course, not least through the influence of the MuseumsQuartier collection of museums, venues, and events.
You might consider the viennacontemporary art fair as a collective manifestation of this local contemporary art scene. Alongside various other activities, the event brings together numerous galleries in a showcase of works.
And not just art galleries from Vienna.
Nor just from Austria.
(Aliaksei Barysionak curated ZONE1 in 2025, a special exhibition area that features upcoming artists. Press photo courtesy of viennacontemporary and © Lea Stüeckeschweiger)
The viennacontemporary event draws participants from across Europe and even beyond. In 2025, for example, the event featured over 95 from more than 20 countries (with over half of the exhibitors from outside Austria).
A programme of activities accompanies the fair, such as curated presentations or a special exhibition of emerging talents.
Find full details at the official website, once available.
2026 dates, tickets & tips
Provisional dates for the 2026 viennacontemporary are September 17th to September 20th.
Access to the preview day and vernissage on Day 1 typically requires a special ticket. The various ticket options are available from the website.
How to get to viennacontemporary
The 2025 event took place in Hall D of the VIECON / Messe Wien: a prime venue for major shows, fairs and other events in the city. Assuming the fair returns there in 2026…
The location is off to one side of the city, but reached in just a few minutes from the centre via a direct subway connection. If you prefer to stay nearby, I have some hotel tips for you here.
The U2 subway delivers you practically to the front door (get out at Krieau station). Catch the U2 from Schottentor and Schottenring in the centre, for example, and the line is well connected to other subway routes.
If you want to catch your breath from all the great art, the VIECON / Messe Wien sits very close to the River Danube, but also to the Prater recreation area.
And for architectural inspiration, the surrounds have some sights to delight instagrammers. Look, particularly, for the new university campus of the Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien.
Address: Trabrennstraße 7, 1020 Vienna