Frieze Week 2026: the fairs, free sculpture and the SW7 art trail
Next week London's art world converges on Regent's Park. Frieze London and Frieze Masters run from Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 October, bringing galleries from around the world to the park and filling the city's hotels, restaurants and private views. Knightsbridge is a natural base for the week, and our side of town has plenty to see when you are not at the fairs.
The fairs
The two fairs sit side by side in the park and many visitors see both in a single day. They are ticketed, and the Royal Parks listing points to Frieze's own site for prices, timings and booking. If you are buying for a weekday, an earlier slot gives you more room to look before the afternoon crowds arrive. Wear comfortable shoes: the tents are large and the walking adds up quickly.
Frieze Sculpture: free and already open
You do not need a ticket for the outdoor programme. Frieze Sculpture has been in Regent's Park since 16 September and stays until 1 November, with eleven contemporary works mainly found near the Broad Walk in the south-eastern corner of the park. It is free, and a morning walk among the pieces makes a good warm-up before the fair or a calmer alternative to it.
The Knightsbridge side of Frieze Week
Some of the best art in London that week will be a short walk from Brompton Road:
- V&A x LDF: Awakenings: the free London Design Festival installations across the V&A remain until Sunday 18 October, with an artists and curator conversation on Saturday 17 October.
- Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art: the V&A's surrealist couture show, featuring work made with Dalí and Cocteau, runs until 15 November.
- Serpentine Pavilion: LANZA atelier's red-brick pavilion in Kensington Gardens, free to visit, closes on 25 October, so Frieze Week is one of the last chances to see it.
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year: the Natural History Museum's new exhibition opens on Friday 16 October.
A suggested day
Start with Frieze Sculpture in the morning, spend the middle of the day at the fair, then return south for an early evening at the V&A, which stays open until 22.00 on Fridays. It is a full but manageable day, and it means ending close to home rather than queuing for a cab across town. On Saturday, swap the V&A evening for the Awakenings talk and an early dinner in South Kensington.
Dining during Frieze
Restaurant tables across central London are in high demand during the fair week, and Knightsbridge is no exception, particularly for dinners after private views. Book anything important now. Our things to do guide has further ideas for the week.
Getting there
Regent's Park is a straightforward taxi or Tube journey from Knightsbridge; check the Frieze site for the recommended entrance before you set off. Allow extra time on the opening days, when demand for cabs across central London is at its peak, and consider the Underground for the return leg.
