Update
BRAFA 2026 will be hosted as a live exhibition between January 25th and February 1st, 2026, at the Brussels Expo (Heysel).
Calling Card
BRAFA has been a key meeting point for the art world in Belgium ever since its birth almost 70 years ago. The annual art fair creates the necessary conditions for gallerists, collectors, and curators to meet, appraise, educate and buy art pieces. BRAFA occurs annually at Brussels Expo and showcases fine art, antiques, and contemporary art for eight days. Previously, the art fair opened the year in January, but now organisers have decided to move it to a slot in mid-June. BRAFA has always been a barometer for the art market. You can see trends form in how collectors and other buyers react from year to year. It’s important to note that every single piece at BRAFA has been appraised and verified.
Business Potential
BRAFA continues to expand its list of galleries to showcase the very best from art and antiques. The names you should definitely learn are:
- Axel Vervoordt;
- N.Vrouyr;
- Thomas Deprez;
- MDZ Gallery;
- QG Gallery;
- Galerie Kraemer.
They contribute to the wide variety of art objects, which span human history since the Bronze Age. There are currently 20 categories at the art fair. These include classical archeology, tribal artistry, pre-Colombian artwork, Asian artistic creations, jewelry, and silverware. They also feature coinages, furnishing, and art items ranging from the Middle Ages to today. Among them are old and modern-day paintings, contemporary artwork, sculpture, ceramic wares, contemporaneous glass and earthenware, carpetings and fabrics, drawings, original cartoons, etchings, rare publications, photography, and writings. The galleries come from the Italian Republic, Japan, the UAE, and the United States.
Did You Know?
Each year, BRAFA invites a guest of honour. Sometimes this can be a respected art institution. Other times it’s a remarkable artist who has left their mark in the art world. In the upcoming edition, the Guest of Honour is Belgian-born Arne Quinze, who first broke into the art world with his graffiti work and has since moved to wooden constructions and other installations. Buyers and art lovers can get the most out of the rich assortment of artworks and antiques by taking part in one of the many Art Tours held during the fair. Another highlight is the line-up of BRAFA ART TALKS – a series of conversations and lectures on modern artists such as Keith Haring and historical periods.
Your Hotel Room in Brussels
Travel 2 Fairs Ltd has sent business travellers all over the world and knows exactly what you need in your hotel accommodation for BRAFA. Book hotels near Brussels Expo at affordable rates and keep your daily commute to the art fair short. Make terrific savings no matter how small your budget is. We have a wide selection of hotels, hostels, and apartments. Large groups of over twenty people are no challenge to us all. In addition to your online hotel booking for BRAFA, Travel 2 Fairs Ltd can help you with logistics. Do you want a quick commute to your hotel from Brussels airport? We can arrange for a private airport transfer upon arrival. We’re also a rent-a-car vendor.
Past Iterations
BRAFA 2022
BRAFA 2022 occurred between June 19th and June 26th, 2022, at a novel location – Brussels Expo. The live restart edition featured 115 exhibiting galleries from 15 nations. The event venue did not include coronavirus precautions because of the improved pandemic situation.
BRAFA 2023
The 2023 iteration occurred as a live trade exhibition between January 29th and February 5th, 2023 at the Brussels Expo. The event did not include coronavirus precautions because Belgium repealed its pandemic restrictions. The iteration featured 130 exhibiting galleries and 65 000 visitants, with 65% of the visiting representing a foreign country.
BRAFA 2024
The 2024 iteration was a live trade exposition hosted between January 28th and February 4th, 2024. The event was attended by around 67 000 visitants and more than 130 exhibiting firms from 14 nations on 21 000 m2.
BRAFA 2025
The 2025 iteration of BRAFA occurred as a live trade expo between January 26th and February 2nd 2025. The event featured 72 000 visitants and 130 exhibiting firms from 16 nations.
