Fairs and Markets

Antiques fairs and markets offer a great way to browse and buy.

With so many exhibitors or stallholders in one place you can view a lot of different items quickly and compare prices and quality.

Depending on the event, the first day or morning may be for reserved for trade buyers before the general public gain access.

Some antiques markets are held weekly whereas some fairs may be quarterly, biannual, once a year or have some other frequency. Check the Calendar section of this website for details or view the listings every week in the Antiques Trade Gazette newspaper.

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New York auction extravaganza includes ingots dubbed Australia’s first gold ‘coinage’

16 January 2026

Some of the rarest coins in world numismatics were sold at auction in New York last week. Auction sessions spanning seven consecutive days (January 12-18) were held as part of the annual New York International Numismatic Convention, the US’s largest and most prestigious numismatic event known as NYINC.

Visitors at an antiques fair in Buxton

Now that’s what I call ‘a proper antiques fair’

16 January 2026

Dealers praise the friendly atmosphere of a Buxton event that has been running for nearly 50 years

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‘Most desirable’ places to be for antiques lovers

16 January 2026

Focus on businesses based in two towns rated among ‘most desirable’ in the UK by newspaper

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How Japanese lacquer moved into the modern era

16 January 2026

Working in Japanese urushi lacquer requires patience. Harvested from the sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, it is built up slowly, layer by layer, each stage requiring careful drying and polishing under controlled conditions.

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York book fair gets 2026 off to a strong not stormy start

16 January 2026

Storms and the threat of snow could not dampen the spirits of rare booksellers and buyers in York for the first PBFA fair of the 2026 book calendar.

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‘Springboard at the start of the year’

16 January 2026

London Art Fair stands out as a key early opportunity to showcase works to a domestic audience

Geoffrey Whitaker

IACF founder Geoff Whitaker dies aged 82

15 January 2026

Geoffrey Whitaker, entrepreneur, dealer and founder of the International Antiques & Collectors Fairs (IACF), died over the Christmas holiday aged 82, after a period of illness.

Kinning Park Antique Centre

Curious curios – new owners for two antiques centres

15 January 2026

Two dealers are celebrating the New Year by taking on the ownership of antiques centres in the Lake District and Glasgow.

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Portrait attributed to Rubens to be unveiled at BRAFA

14 January 2026

A sketch believed to be the work of Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), and which contains a distinctive second face, is to be offered at BRAFA this month.

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Obituary: IACF chairman Keith Harris (1946-2025)

09 January 2026

Chairman of IACF Keith Harris, a highly respected figure, a lifelong entrepreneur, and well-known in the antiques trade, has passed away.

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Looking ahead to 2026

09 January 2026

Will the year ahead turn out to be less turbulent than last year? The art and antiques trade – buffeted by economic uncertainty, US tariffs and EU regulations – will certainly hope so

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Sumatran ship banner sails in to London rug and textile fair

09 January 2026

It is rare to find a well-preserved example of a 19th century 'palepai'.

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Five highlights at the upcoming BRAFA fair in Brussels

09 January 2026

The long-running BRAFA Art Fair in Brussels is traditionally one of the earliest events in the international art fair calendar.

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Dealer’s labours of love work out

09 January 2026

Exhibitor at Welsh fair turned her passion for tokens into a sales success as part of her antiques business

List of major fairs for 2026

09 January 2026

This is a list of major art, antiques and antiquarian book fairs, the majority of them vetted, coming up in 2026.

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Exhibitor notches up 55th year at New York show

09 January 2026

Several exhibitors at this month’s edition of The Winter Show in New York have more than 40 years’ experience exhibiting at the fair.

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Battleship design: Folk art creation underlines the variety available at The Decorative Fair

09 January 2026

One standout offering at The Decorative Fair this month unites two pieces of early 20th century technology: the dreadnought battleship and the mass production of the crisp.

A display of ceramics and Art Deco items

Go beyond the park in Battersea

05 January 2026

If you are visiting the Decorative Fair in Battersea, which runs from January 20-25, check out the many antiques shops in the area and a visit to the Northcote Road Antiques Market in Battersea might also be a good suggestion (nearest rail station: Clapham Junction).

The team at Insitu in Manchester

A year full of positive emotions for fairs and markets

19 December 2025

Despite the economic headwinds, many businesses have been moving forward with fresh ventures

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Good old chinwag at Grays

19 December 2025

A group of jewellery and art specialists headed to Grays Antiques in Mayfair for ‘champagne and macarons’ to celebrate the start of the Christmas season.

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