Clear the calendar, charge your phone and wear comfortable (but fashionable) shoes. FNB Art Joburg is returning to Sandton Convention Centre from 4 to 6 September 2026, bringing one of the continent’s most important contemporary art weekends back to the heart of Sandton Central.

Now in its 19th edition, FNB Art Joburg has become a major fixture in the African art calendar, drawing artists, galleries, collectors, curators, writers, designers and curious visitors into one energetic weekend of looking, learning, buying, talking and discovering.

The best part? You do not need to be a seasoned collector to enjoy it.

Whether you know exactly which galleries you want to visit, or you are simply keen to spend a weekend surrounded by exciting contemporary African art, this is one of the best times of the year to be in Sandton Central.

What to expect at the fair

FNB Art Joburg is not just a room full of gallery booths. The fair is structured into specialised sections, each giving visitors a different way into the contemporary African art ecosystem.

Start with gallery HUB, the core of the fair, where leading contemporary galleries present strong curated selections by artists from across the continent and diaspora. This is where you will get a solid sense of the fair’s main conversations, from painting and photography to sculpture, mixed media and conceptual work.

Then move into gallery LAB, which focuses on emerging galleries, hybrid spaces and experimental presentations. If you enjoy finding new names and seeing where the next generation of galleries and artists may be heading, this is a section to spend proper time with.

For work that pushes beyond the limits of a standard booth, look out for MAX, which gives large-scale works and ambitious installations room to breathe. These are often the pieces that stop people in their tracks, so give yourself time to take them in properly.

The fair also includes ARC, a section dedicated to solo presentations with a focus on clarity, risk and experimentation, as well as GIF, which gives space to photography and lens-based practices. For visitors interested in books, prints, zines, catalogues and publishing, INK is the section to browse slowly. It is also a good place to find something special to take home without committing to a major artwork.

Then there is ORG, which brings important art institutions into the fair environment, and AUX, the talks and public programming section. AUX is worth keeping an eye on if you want to hear from artists, curators and industry voices, or simply understand more about the ideas shaping the work on show.

Make Sandton Central your base

One of the reasons FNB Art Joburg works so well in Sandton Central is the location.

Sandton Convention Centre sits right in the middle of the precinct, with hotels, restaurants, shops, coffee stops and after-hours spots all within easy reach. That means you can turn your fair visit into a full weekend without overcomplicating the logistics.

If you are coming in from out of town, consider booking a stay nearby and making a proper art weekend of it. Hotel Sky, DAVINCI Hotel and Suites, The Maslow, Hotel Balalaika and The Leonardo all place you close to the action, whether you want luxury, convenience, skyline views or a polished city stay.

Parking is available at Sandton Convention Centre and Sandton City, but fair weekends can get busy, so arrive with time to spare. Better yet, stay close enough to walk, then let the weekend unfold from there.

Where to eat between the art

Looking at art is hungry work. Thankfully, Sandton Central has plenty of strong options for a pre-fair breakfast, a mid-day reset or a post-fair debrief.

For something easy and reliable, tashas Nelson Mandela Square is a good place to start the day with coffee and a proper meal before heading into the fair. Walnut Grove is another classic Sandton stop for a quick breakfast, sandwich or pastry when you want something simple and central.

If you are making lunch part of the outing, The Big Mouth on Nelson Mandela Square is ideal for sushi, grills and people-watching, while Pappas on the Square offers relaxed Greek and Mediterranean-style dining. For something more elevated, AURUM at The Leonardo gives you a polished dining experience that fits beautifully into an art-filled weekend.

And if the plan is to keep the conversation going after the fair, The Greenhouse, Saint and Alto234 are all strong options for drinks, views and a little Sandton sparkle.

Make a weekend of it

FNB Art Joburg is one of those events that reminds you how much cultural energy Johannesburg has when it all comes together.

For three days, Sandton Central becomes a meeting point for artists, collectors, galleries, institutions and the public. It is polished, curious, stylish, ambitious and full of conversation, which makes it a perfect fit for the precinct.

So, whether you are going to collect, connect, learn, browse, be inspired or simply enjoy a weekend surrounded by great art, this is your sign to plan ahead.

Book the ticket. Choose your day. Make the dinner reservation. Stay close if you can. Wander properly.

FNB Art Joburg 2026 is coming to Sandton Central, and it is well worth making a weekend of it.

Need tickets? Get them here.