Frieze Week takes over London from October 14 to 18, 2026, and this year's editions of Frieze London and Frieze Masters will gather close to 300 galleries from 48 countries across Regent's Park. The twin fairs split the timeline neatly: the main tents focus on contemporary work, while Frieze Masters digs into historical pieces — between them, a full week's worth of looking, buying and queueing for coffee.

If you want a head start on what to see, a panel of artists, curators and gallery directors has shared their picks. At the main fair, consultancy founder Lily Ackerman flags TINA's first-ever Frieze booth, a solo presentation of Karim Boumjimar within 'The Code Universe', curated by Carol Yinghua Lu — expect murals and ceramics built around hybrid beings and mythological figures. Selvi May Akyildiz, who runs Frieze's No. 9 Cork Street gallery in Mayfair, is steering people to the 'Focus' section for young galleries and the 'Artist-to-Artist' strand, including Rose Easton's Amanda Mostrom and Eilen Itzel do Espírito Santo at Bolanle Contemporary. Over at Frieze Masters, Schoelkopf Gallery's stand (D11) explores American modernism through painter John Marin and his dealer Alfred Stieglitz, while New York's Berry Campbell is one to watch for overlooked 20th-century artists.

First-timers should pace themselves: hit priority booths early, photograph what you like, bring one companion rather than a crowd, and don't skip Frieze Masters. Thinking of buying? Research in advance, bring someone impartial, and ask dealers questions — big or small. As Akyildiz puts it, there are no rules: if you want to live with it, buy it.

The week spills well beyond the park. No. 9 Cork Street marks its fifth anniversary with three shows, including Jordan Nassar's embroidered works, Teresa Solar Abboud's hanging sculptures, and Robin F. Williams's UK solo debut via P·P·O·W. For fresh air between booths, Frieze Sculpture stays outdoors in Regent's Park, with highlights including Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran's Warrior Figure and Douglas White's Black Palm. PAD, the art and design fair, lands in Berkeley Square; Bernard Piffaretti's Painting & Caption runs at Kate MacGarry until November 14; and Revue Residency opens its Soho studios to visitors for one day only, Thursday October 15. Museum-wise, artist Philip Colbert points to Sir John Soane's Museum, the British Museum's Korean art exhibition, the Courtauld and the Wallace Collection.

Where to stay? Ackerman recommends 45 Park Lane, currently showing Great Women Photographers throughout its public spaces, with artworks in some guest rooms; The Dorchester next door hosts a collectors' salon series. Colbert swears by the old-school Connaught, while Akyildiz vouches for the phone-free, dress-code-free Chelsea Arts Club.

Eating well is part of the programme. Toklas, The Wolseley and The Guinea Grill all get insider nods, as does CUT's apple salad and a dinner at Sessions Arts Club in Farringdon. Colbert is going further than a restaurant tip: his lobster-and-champagne menu takes over Annabel's from October 12 to 18, complete with his lobster-themed installations.

For travellers who like their city break with serious culture, Frieze Week is London at full volume — one fair visit per day, plus galleries and sculpture in between, makes a genuinely great autumn long weekend.