Art Basel Hong Kong opens to the public on Friday, March 28, and it will be packed to the brim with extraordinary artworks and special events. For those seeking early access, an exclusive vernissage will take place on Thursday afternoon, March 27 (tickets available here). Below is everything you need to know to plan the perfect visit.
The fair
The 2025 edition of the show will host 240 world-class galleries from 42 countries and territories, with over half of the galleries hailing from the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the fair’s commitment to championing the local ecosystem. The fair is divided into several exhibition sectors, each with its own focus.
Encounters, the sector dedicated to large-scale projects, will feature 18 installations. Curated by Alexie Glass-Kantor and titled ‘As the World Turns’, it will feature many highlights, including three monumental paintings by Pacita Abad, a suite of 30 brass sculptures by Hong Kong-born artist Christopher K. Ho, and a new work by digital wunderkind Lu Yang. Encounters will also extend beyond the show floor with an open-to-all offsite project by Zurich-based artist Monster Chetwynd, staged at Hong Kong’s Pacific Place Park Court.
A record number of 36 galleries will participate in Kabinett, the sector for thematic presentations held within galleries’ main booths, with a strong focus on solo projects from the Asia-Pacific region and by artists from the Asian diaspora. Highlights include a series of gestural ceramics and paintings by the late American artist Martin Wong, a group presentation of ink paintings bringing together work by artists from the post-Mao period, and Ann Leda Shapiro’s ‘Manifestation of Qi’, an evocative series of figurative watercolors.
Learn more about the sectors here and discover the full list of exhibitors here.
Public program
Showcasing the cultural dynamism of its host city, Art Basel Hong Kong will feature an extensive Public program, both onsite and offsite, free and open to all.
Curated by Para Site, Hong Kong’s leading independent art institution, the Film program features six screenings encompassing 29 films by and about artists. All screenings will take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Curated by Stephanie Bailey, this year’s Conversations program takes the pulse of the art world, and explores how patronage is evolving in Southeast Asia, what pioneering artists are learning from tech and AI, and much more. Conversations will be conducted in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, with simultaneous interpretation available. The program will also feature four exclusive performances by Natasha Tontey, Mayunkiki, Operator, and Pedro Wonaeamirri.
The Exchange Circle, located at Level 1 Concourse, serves as an open platform for short and experimental presentations, including artist talks, discussions, lectures, book presentations, signings, and workshops.
Art Basel is collaborating with M+ for the fourth year to activate the institution’s striking facade. Conceived by Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen, this year’s artwork - titled Night Charades - is a tribute to the golden age of Hong Kong cinema. Imagined as a simulation chamber from the future, Night Charades is recomposed by AI and continuously edited in real time by an algorithm. The artwork offers a non-linear reinterpretation of the city’s cinematic past. The work will be presented on the M+ Facade every night for the next three months.
To coincide with the launch of the M+ Facade co-commission, M+ will screen five seminal films from the artist’s twenty-year long career throughout the month of March. The screening program offers a closer look at Ho’s speculative approach to the presentation of history and filmmaking. For screening details, please head to the M+ website.
Supported by Art Basel Hong Kong, Tai Kwun’s annual ‘Artists’ Night’ returns on March 28. The event takes place across multiple venues in Tai Kwun and features emerging experimental musicians, visual artists, and collectives from Asia and Europe. Blending visual art, soundscapes, improvisational performances, and musical experimentation, performers and artists will offer audiences unforgettable experiences throughout the evening.
Learn more about the Public program here.
The Art Basel Shop
The Art Basel Shop is making its Hong Kong debut and offering a selection of lifestyle products that celebrate and enhance the Art Basel experience.
Animator and digital artist DeeKay has collaborated with ICONIC and Art Basel to present ‘Hwatu Harmony’, a series of digital artworks exploring generational gaps, family traditions, and the unifying power of play. ‘There’s a noticeable gap between my parents’ generation and mine. Although we share the same family name, our perspectives and experiences differ, creating a sense of distance. However, playing the card game Hwatu brings us together, helping us forget our differences and enjoy shared emotions. In the end, we’re all humans seeking fun, who just happen to be shaped by the eras we are born into.’ DeeKay is recognized for his distinctive style, which blends simplicity and dynamism while drawing inspiration from retro games. His works embody his artistic philosophy that ‘Art is for everyone’ and he consistently tells stories that resonate with people of all ages. This exclusive release was created for the Art Basel Shop in Hong Kong.
MGM Discoveries Art Prize
The MGM Discoveries Art Prize is Art Basel Hong Kong’s newly established award aimed at supporting emerging artists and fostering new talent. The shortlisted artists for the inaugural edition are Shin Min, represented by P21, Kayode Ojo, represented by Sweetwater, and Saju Kunhan, represented by Tarq. The winner will be announced during the show at the MGM lounge and will receive a cash prize to be shared between the artist and their gallery, along with the opportunity for the artist to exhibit their work in Macau.
Learn more about the MGM Discoveries Art Prize here.
Digital Dialogues
Art Basel Digital Dialogues, co-hosted by TAEX, focus on the interplay between art and technology. This event seeks to further the dialogue around digital art and on-chain art innovations, engaging traditional collectors, artists, enthusiasts, and the emerging digital art community. It will include four panels, all on Friday, March 28, with access upon invitation:
- From 10:30 to 11:30am: ‘The art of gaming’, with Lu Yang and Jon Rafman, moderated by Sunny Cheung.
- From 11:30am to 12:30pm: ‘Patronage and collecting digital art’, with Livia and Audrey Ou, moderated by Hannah Cho.
- From 1:30 to 2:30pm: ‘From gallery to Open Sea – where to buy digital art’, with Henrietta Tsui-Leung, Sebastien Borget, and Paul Rose, moderated by Jeni Fulton.
- From 2:30 to 3:30pm: ‘Digital art in Asia’, with Miao Ying and Lim Wenhui (niceaunties), moderated by Payal Uttam.
Practical information
Tickets are exclusively available on our online ticket shop.
On our visitor information page, you will discover key information: opening hours, rules for your safety, tips to help you plan your stay, information about Hong Kong’s world class museums and private collections, how to book a private tour, and more.
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We look forward to seeing you soon at Art Basel Hong Kong. Enjoy the fair!