Visit the art fair
International Fair for Classic Modern and Contemporary Art
Opening hours and prices
The fair for classical modern and contemporary art will take place from 18 to 21 February 2027.
Address: Messe Karlsruhe, Messeallee 1, 76287 Rheinstetten, Germany
Access through entrance west and entrance east.
Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Preview)
Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m..
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m..
All prices and the link to the ticket shop can be found here from December 2026.
The maximum bag size you are allowed to take into the hall is 30cm in height, 40cm in length and 20cm in width.
Backpacks of any size are not allowed.
Visitors may take photographs, but only if the gallery owner does not object.
- Knives, scissors or other similar pointed objects (nail sets)
- Bottles over 500 ml
- Adhesives of any kind
- Stick umbrellas
- Other objects of a kind and extent intended or likely to tamper with or damage works of art
In hall 3 there are daily activities for children from 5 years.
opening hours:
Wednesday, from 2 p.m.
Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.
Floor plan
Get an overview of the floor plan of the art karlsruhe here.
You can enter the halls via the west entrance or the east entrance.
Our services for your trade fair visit
We provide a full range of services on location, too. Here’s where you can find out more about our electronic visitor information system, what our Business Center offers, and what information our informationstand can provide you with.
At the info point in the action hall you will find information on restaurants and hotels in the area as well as a preview of upcoming trade fairs. At the info counters in front of the halls, you will receive personal assistance with any questions you may have about the current event.
There is also a “toilet for everyone” at the trade fair. This toilet is specially conceived for use by people with multiple handicaps. It is additionally equipped with a lifter and an emergency-call mechanism. This toilet is open during the regular opening hours of the current event on the trade fair’s campus.
Wheelchairs:
- Free service for your visit to the fair. Please contact the colleagues of the DRK on site on the relevant day of your visit by calling 0721 3720 5230.
- A wheelchair (without electric drive) will be brought to you for the duration of your visit to the fair (subject to availability).
Free WLAN access
As a registered user, wireless Internet access is available for you free of charge throughout the entire campus during the trade fair.
Free WLAN on the trade fair’s campus
You will need a WLAN-capable device of your own with a Web browser function.
Please note the following details:
- To use the free WLAN, you need a WLAN-capable device with the globally common WLAN Standard IEEE 802.11 n/ac..
- When there are large numbers of simultaneous users, reception is not guaranteed at every location on the campus.
- The bandwidth per device is maximally 8 Mbit/sec. However, depending on the momentary traffic in the hall, the bandwidth may be less than this maximum.
- One user /device can go online with a mobile device for maximally 4 hours.
Premium Wi-FI
If you need higher bandwidth, we recommend that you order our premium Wi-Fi for the highest online demands (without bandwidth restriction). A fee will be charged for this service. You may purchase it either online or in the Business Centre at Entrance West.
Karlsruhe Trade Fair makes available for its visitors an EC automat directly on the fair’s campus. The automat is located in the Events Hall at the main entrance.
This automat dispenses cash without a fee for customers with accounts at Volksbank. Customers of other saving banks will be charged the applicable flat fee for using third-party automats when withdrawing cash.
At the exhibition centre, there is a charge of 2 euros for the use of the cloakroom service for clothing and 3 euros for luggage. Lockers are available in the basement using a 1 euro deposit coin,
Digital lockers can be found in the entrance area (main entrance) on the left-hand side.
12 out of 24 LiveLockers are equipped with the option of charging batteries from mobile devices. After opening the LiveLocker you will find
- a 220V/16A socket to connect your own power supply units, e.g. for charging laptops or bicycle batteries, and,
- a USB type A and a USB type C socket with a combined output power of 18W.
You can reserve these in advance for your stay at live-locker.com.
There is a charge of 5 euros per day for use.
Charging stations for electric vehicles (type 2 plugs up to 22 kW) are available to visitors to Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre in car park P1; charging costs 6 euros. Please note: The entrance to P1 is subject to a charge. The charging stations cannot be reserved.
Take home your souvenir of art karlsruhe!
From a practical notepad to the popular Lorry Bag and from a stylish t-shirt to an environmentally responsible glass bottle: the art:shop is open during the art fair, offering numerous articles to remind you of your visit to art karlsruhe or to give to friends of the fair as delightful gifts.
Have we piqued your curiosity!
Lost and dropped off items are collected by our control room.
Phone: +49 721 3720 5222
If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact the Lost and found office of the city of Rheinstetten, Phone: + 49 7242 9514 350.
or to the
Lost and Found Office of the City of Karlsruhe, Phone: + 49 721 133 3310.
Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre does not permit any animals on its campus. Exceptions are guide dogs for people with disabilities, guide dogs and service dogs with the corresponding certificates.
Offer for children
The littlest ones can be creative here!
In the context of art karlsruhe and supported by Sparkasse Karlsruhe, the Kindermalwerkstatt Kind und Kunst e.V. [“Children & Art” painting workshop] offers an extensive selection of creative activities for kids aged five or older. The children become more familiar with art via diverse materials and techniques. Naturally, the little ones are also welcome to take home their newly created artworks afterwards..
With friendly support of
Our wine experts on site:
Do you have any questions about your visit?
We are happy to help: +49 721 3720 5005 or by email: visit@art-karlsruhe.de
Journey to Karlsruhe for art karlsruhe
Welcome to Karlsruhe
Due to its central and convenient location in Europe, Messe Karlsruhe is easily accessible from many cities in Germany and abroad, whether by car, train, plane or public transport. On this page we also provide information on special aspects of road traffic in the vicinity of the exhibition center.
Visa service for participants of art KARLSRUHE
Residents of EU countries do not require a visa to enter the Federal Republic of Germany.
Residents of all other nationalities are required to have a visa to enter Germany. The European Community has abolished visa requirements for visits of up to 90 days for some of these countries.
You can find an up-to-date list of all countries that require a visa and those that do not on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.
To ensure that you receive your visa in due time before the trade fair/exhibition starts, we recommend you apply for your visa as early as possible. Applications can be made up to three months before you enter the country.
General information about visa regulations is available on the website of the Federal Foreign Office. The specific visa regulations for entry to Germany and details of the documents you need to provide when applying for a visa can be found on the websites of the German missions abroad.
Visa applications must generally be submitted in person to the German embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, together with all necessary documents.
When applying for a visa, exhibitors are requested to submit an exhibitor admission document from the trade fair company; in this case, the visa can be issued free of charge.
As a rule, you will need the following documents for your visa application:
- Confirmed travel booking (flight, bus, train and hotel bookings)
- Proof of health insurance
- For exhibitors: additionally exhibitor pass, stand invoice
- For visitors: additionally entrance ticket
In a directive transmitted per e-mail in July 2013, the Federal Foreign Office informed the visa offices of German embassies and consulates worldwide that, as a matter of principle, an official invitation letter from the trade fair organizer is no longer required when applying for visas for trade fair visits in Germany. Please refer to this information when applying for your visa.
In case the visa section responsible for issuing your visa should nonetheless request that an official invitation letter be presented, please send us your personal data in good time by e-mail using the .
You can request letters of invitation at the earliest three months before the event begins.
Please also note the following instructions when applying for a letter of invitation:
- Your personal data is taken directly from the online form. No changes or corrections can be made by us.
- If your invitation letter contains incorrect data, you will have to fill in the online form again.
- The invitation letter will be sent to you by e-mail as a pdf document. Sending by fax is not possible.
- The processing time is up to 10 days and cannot be accelerated.
- Please check your spam folder before contacting us about undelivered invitations.
We ask for your understanding that we do not process individual requests for invitations.
How to get there
You can also reach the exhibition grounds easily and in an environmentally friendly way with KVV.nextbike - the public bike and e-bike rental system of the Karlsruher Verkehrsverbund (KVV). The rental station near the exhibition grounds is located at the tram stop Messe/ Leichtsandstraße (line S2).
This is how easy it is to use the KVV.nextbike: Select the bike at www.kvv-nextbike.de or at a rental station, scan it and off you go. Please note that the number of KVV.nextbikes available is limited.
Cost of the KVV.nextbike rental bike at the basic rate:
- 1 € per 30 min (normal)
- 2 € per 30 min (e-bike)
The exhibition grounds are easily accessible via a well-developed and signposted network of cycle paths:
- Karlsruhe main station: 5.5 km
- Karlsruhe city centre: 6.3 km
- Ettlingen centre: 7 km
Further information at www.kvv-nextbike.de.
Bicycle breakdown service
With our bicycle breakdown service, we offer you a basic set of tools and aids for quickly solving a breakdown. Be it a punctured tyre, a defective inner tube, a jammed brake or simply not enough air: call the service hotline 0721 3720-5222 for help and to borrow the equipment.
Free shuttle services
The Messe-Express
- From Karlsruhe Central Station directly to the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre and back, in cooperation with the Verkehrsbetrieben Karlsruhe (VBK). .
The Messe Express Timetable will be available here from January 2027.
Additonally, there is another shuttle bus to the galleries and off-spaces in Karlsruhe city center.
The shuttle timetable will be available here from January 2027.
Wheelchairs reservations
Free service for your visit to the fair: Please contact the colleagues from the DRK on site on the relevant day of the fair by calling 0721-3720 5230.
A wheelchair will then be brought to you for the duration of your visit to the fair. Please choose the main entrance of the fair.
Carparks
Carparks are available for you in the first row of the P1 carpark.
Trade-fair shuttle bus service
A complementary barrier-free shuttle bus service operates between the central railway station and the Trade fair for the duration of the event. The exact timetable for the trade fair shuttle can be found above.
Public transport
Information on the KVV’s reduced-mobility itinerary planning is available here, or please call 0721/6107-5886 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Deutsche Bahn
Please use the following service for more information about Deutsche Bahn’s rail links and train attendants:
- Telephone number: 030 65212888
- Fax number: 030 65212899
- Email: msz@deutschebahn.com
Tickets for the FareZone 100 apply for travel to the Messe/Leichtsandstraße tram and bus stop when a trade fair is on.
By tram
Messe/Leichtsandstraße or Messe Nord tram stops
From the city centre:
- Underground Line S2 (destination Rheinstetten).
From Karlsruhe central station:
- From the main train station, you can take various trains to the city center to change at the Europaplatz subway station:
- Line S1/S11 in the direction of Neureut or Hochstetten
- Line 2 direction Knielingen Nord
- Line 3 direction Daxlanden or Rappenwörth
- At Europaplatz, change to Underground Line S2, direction Rheinstetten (stop Messe/Leichtsandstraße).
You can also take the Messe-Express service for certain events.
From Durlacher Tor:
- Line S2 (destination Rheinstetten).
More information including fares and departure times can be found on the KVV website.
By bus
Messe Nord or Messe/Leichtsandstraße bus stop
From Ettlingen:
- no change: Bus Line 106 (destination Neuburgweier Breslauer Str.)
From Rastatt:
- Change at the Silberstreifen stop to bus route 106 in the direction of Neuburgweier Breslauer Str.
All of the timetables of the KVV bus network are available here.
Karlsruhe is a hub for ICE, InterCity, EuroCity and InterRegio trains, and is located directly on the Hamburg-Frankfurt-Basel intercity line. The east-west line Karlsruhe-Stuttgart-Munich begins here too. And the high-speed TGV train takes you from Paris to Karlsruhe in just three hours.
Always a good move: Travel by train to your event
For IT-TRANS participants exclusively: Travel comfortable, sustainable and affordable throughout Germany by train.
DB event offers provide you with several beenfits:
Attractive priced: low entry price from just EUR 16.19
Flexible combination: apply additional BahnCard discount
Sustainability guaranteed: arrival and departure on Deutsche Bahn trains using 100% renewable power
Use your time effectively: work or relax on your journey
Click here for further information.
When you click on the button, you will be redirected to a Deutsche Bahn website.
You can make the most of your travel time by using your journeys to and from your destination for work, relaxation or enjoying our on-board services. You can also rest assured that your long-distance travel is completely powered by electricity generated by renewable resources.
The event ticket provided by Deutsche Bahn does not include the ticket for access to the IT-TRANS exhibition or congress.
From the A5/A8 motorway (Autobahn):
Coming along the A8 from Stuttgart, drive south onto the A5, following signs for Basel. Leave the A5 at junction 48 for Karlsruhe-Süd and follow signs to "Messe“. The road name for satellite navigation systems is Leichtsandstraße (on some systems Leichtsandstrasse) in the Karlsruhe district of Rheinstetten.
From the A65 motorway (Autobahn):
The A65 merges with the B10. Leave the B10 at junction 8 and follow signs to "Messe“. The road name for satellite navigation systems is Leichtsandstraße (on some systems Leichtsandstrasse) in the Karlsruhe district of Rheinstetten
Carparks
A total of 7000 parking spaces are available in 3 carparks on the trade-fair grounds along with a VIP/press carpark. Parking fee: € 7.00 per day (Online Ticketshop) / €8.00 per day (at the cash desk on site)
Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre has excellent connections to at least 4 airports:
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (approx. 30 minutes by road) and other major international airports such as Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Strasbourg (50–60 minutes by road).
Book stay during art karlsruhe
Book your hotel during the fair here
Karlsruhe, the fan-shaped city, stretches between the Black Forest in the west, the Vosges Mountains in the south and the Palatinate Mountains in the north, harmoniously embedded in the picturesque Rhine plain. This geographical location gives Karlsruhe a unique diversity and attractiveness. With a population of over 310,000 people, Karlsruhe functions not only as a historic Baden residential city, but also as an important center for culture, technology and science in the region.
Karlsruhe's geographic location offers residents and visitors an exceptional quality of life. The proximity of the Black Forest allows for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing, while the Vosges Mountains and the Palatinate Mountains are within easy reach and offer a wide range of recreational opportunities. The charming Rhine plain, in which the city extends, creates a pleasant climate and offers fertile soils for agriculture and viticulture.
Karlsruhe has established itself not only as a "think tank with a way of life", but also as a technology region and science center. The city is home to a variety of educational and research institutions, including the renowned Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). These institutions promote innovation and scientific progress in various industries, making Karlsruhe a magnet for professionals and researchers from all over the world.
Overall, Karlsruhe is a city with a diverse geographical environment that has a positive impact on the quality of life and economic development. With its cultural, technological and scientific assets, Karlsruhe offers an ideal balance between tradition and modernity, attracting people of different interests and backgrounds.
Hotel partners 2026
Culture in Karlsruhe
Find out about cultural highlights in the city during the trade fair week and beyond.
UNESCO City of Media Arts
Welcome to the City of Media Art!
FAQ
Fair information
art karlsruhe 2027 will take place from 18 February to 21 February 2027 at the Messe Karlsruhe (Messeallee 1, 76287 Rheinstetten). The VIP Preview will take place on 17 February 2027.
Wednesday, 17 February 2027 1.00 pm-8.00 pm
Thursday, 18 February 2027 11.00 am-7.00 pm
Friday, 19 February 2027 11.00 am-7.00 pm
Saturday, 20 February 2027 11.00 am-7.00 pm
Sunday, 21 February 2027 11.00 am-6.00 pm
art karlsruhe is an international art fair for Classical Modernism, post-war and contemporary art, as well as contemporary programmes.
one:artist show
The one:artist shows have been part of the art karlsruhe concept since 2007. On an area of at least 25 square metres, exhibiting galleries present the body of work of a particular artist. The one:artist show therefore provides a focused and in-depth look at an individual artistic practice.
re:discover
The re:discover support programme has been part of art karlsruhe’s programme since 2024. With the support of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM), its aim is to bring under-recognised artistic work to the attention of the public. The focus is particularly on artists who, despite the quality of their work and their consistent output, have not achieved national or international visibility and recognition.
re:frame
The re:frame format builds on re:discover. Unlike the artists who are still active and presented through the re:discover programme, re:frame focuses on the management of artists’ estates, presents best-practice examples and stimulates discussion on this topic.
new:comer
The new:comer format is designed to support young galleries established in 2023 or later and with fewer than three previous participations in art karlsruhe. The aim is to facilitate their first presentations in Karlsruhe and encourage their long-term return to the venue.
If you like a work of art at art karlsruhe, you can approach the gallery representatives in person at any time. From 1 December 2026, the contact details of participating galleries will also be available via the art karlsruhe 2027 gallery list and exhibitor database.
Sales are handled directly by the respective gallery.
There is a wide range of prices for works of art at art karlsruhe. Whether you are an experienced collector or just starting your own collection, art karlsruhe offers something for everyone. We encourage you to approach the galleries directly at the fair and enquire about prices.
The sculpture:squares have been an integral part of the art karlsruhe exhibition landscape since the fair was founded. They form open spaces between the gallery stands and create a dialogue between them and large-scale sculptural statements. Since 2018, the Loth Sculpture Prize, sponsored by L-Bank, has been awarded for the best sculptural presentation.
The sculpture:spots are smaller-scale presentations that offer participating galleries the opportunity to create accents outside the halls, in the corridors of the exhibition centre. With no traditional stand boundaries, the sculpture:spots give the sculptures the space they deserve. Together with the sculpture:garden in the atrium of the exhibition centre, the Vollack Group enables visitors to experience three-dimensional works outside the exhibition halls.
Hall 3 at art karlsruhe is characterised by a diverse programme of events and the Forum Karlsruhe. Regional and national cultural institutions, art academies and museums in the city have the opportunity to present themselves to the fair’s visitors. In addition, the paper:square, start:block and academy:square offer new formats that are particularly suitable for those starting to collect art.
IT’S A MATCH! Art connects Baden-Württemberg
One of the highlights of art karlsruhe 2027 will be the special exhibition IT’S A MATCH! Art Connects Baden-Württemberg, which brings together all of Baden-Württemberg’s major private collections. The event serves as a preview for a joint exhibition project scheduled for fall 2027 at the SCHAUWERK Sindelfingen. In addition to showcasing high caliber works of art, the exhibition will focus above all on the unifying spirit that arises from cooperation, exchange, and long-term commitment.
paper:square
The paper:square in Hall 3 offers exhibiting galleries the opportunity to present works using and on paper outside their own stands. Many major contemporary private art collections began with prints, editions or drawings on paper. The paper:square is designed to help visitors to art karlsruhe start collecting art or gain access to art collecting.
start:block
The start:block in Hall 3 builds on the concept of the paper:square. Here, art karlsruhe specifically asks its exhibitors which work from their programme might be particularly suitable as a starting point for collecting. It therefore presents specific recommendations from the galleries at art karlsruhe - accessible, varied and carefully selected.
academy:square by LBBW
The academy:square at art karlsruhe is a support programme run by art karlsruhe since 2024. It gives students at the three major art academies in Baden-Württemberg-the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design, the State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe and the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart-the opportunity to present their work to the market and gain initial experience in the art market. Six students and graduates from each of the participating institutions present a selection of their work, linking young art with the entry-level collecting initiatives paper:square and start:block. Since 2026, the best presentation has received the LBBW academy:square award.
Tickets
Tickets for art karlsruhe 2027 can be purchased via Messe Karlsruhe’s ticket portal.
The ticket price for art karlsruhe 2027 is EUR 29 (concession EUR 25) in the online shop. At the on-site ticket offices, a ticket costs EUR 34 (concession EUR 30).
The following are eligible for the reduced price:
- Students
- Apprentices
- School pupils
- Holders of the Museums-Pass-Musées
- Holders of disability or severely disabled persons’ passes
Yes, the two-day ticket grants admission on any two days of your choice between Thursday, 18 February and Sunday, 21 February 2027. The price in the online shop is EUR 46 (concession EUR 40). At the on-site ticket offices, the two-day ticket costs EUR 56 (concession EUR 50).
No, tickets that have already been purchased cannot be cancelled or refunded.
Further questions regarding tickets or visiting art karlsruhe 2027 can be directed to our visitor services:
T: +49 (0) 721 3720 5005
Information for visitors
art karlsruhe 2027 will take place from 18 February to 21 February 2027 at the Messe Karlsruhe (Messeallee 1, 76287 Rheinstetten). The VIP Preview will take place on 17 February 2027.
Wednesday, 17 February 2027 1.00 pm-8.00 pm
Thursday, 18 February 2027 11.00 am-7.00 pm
Friday, 19 February 2027 11.00 am-7.00 pm
Saturday, 20 February 2027 11.00 am-7.00 pm
Sunday, 21 February 2027 11.00 am-6.00 pm
Public transport:
art karlsruhe can be reached via the free Messe-Express, which runs from Karlsruhe Central Station to the exhibition centre. The Karlsruhe Exhibition Centre can also be reached by tram line S2 to Rheinstetten (Messe/Leichtsandstraße stop).
By car:
From the A8 coming from Stuttgart, follow the A5 towards Basel. Take the Karlsruhe-Süd exit (No. 48). Coming from the A65 motorway, follow the B10. From exit No. 8, the exhibition centre is signposted.
There are a total of 7,000 car parking spaces across three car parks around the exhibition grounds, as well as a car park for VIPs and the press. The parking fee is EUR 7.00 when booked online via the ticket shop and EUR 10.00 at the on-site ticket offices.
The maximum bag size for visiting art karlsruhe 2027 is 30 cm × 40 cm × 20 cm. Backpacks of any size are prohibited.
Bringing dogs and other animals onto the art karlsruhe 2027 site is generally prohibited. Exceptions are guide dogs for people with disabilities, guide dogs for blind people and assistance dogs. Appropriate proof must be presented upon entering the fair.
The exhibition grounds feature several catering options. In the corridors between the halls, you will find food trucks, restaurants and coffee stands. Halls 1 and 2 and the dm-arena each feature wine bars with seating and standing areas. In Hall 3, the catering options are complemented by Gina’s Pizza I Bar and a fine-dining restaurant.
Accessibility
There is a “toilet for all” on the exhibition grounds, specially designed for use by people with multiple disabilities. It is also equipped with a hoist and an emergency call system. The toilet is open during the event’s opening hours.
art karlsruhe offers a free wheelchair service for your visit to the fair. Please contact the German Red Cross (DRK) staff on site one or two days in advance on 0721 3720 5230.
A non-electric wheelchair will be provided for the duration of your visit, subject to availability.
The first rows directly in front of the west entrance at car park P1, located in front of the main entrance, are reserved for people with disabilities.
The programme of art karlsruhe 2027
art karlsruhe honours artistic creation and art education. Three prizes are therefore awarded: two specifically for a gallery and the artist it represents, and another for an artist and their work at the academy:square.
With the support of the State of Baden-Württemberg and the City of Karlsruhe, the art karlsruhe prize is awarded annually for the best one:artist show. The award recognises the best presentation with an acquisition for the art karlsruhe Collection of the Kunstmuseum Karlsruhe.
Since 2018, the Loth Sculpture Prize, sponsored by L-Bank, has been awarded annually for the best sculpture:square at art karlsruhe. It is endowed with prize money of EUR 20,000.
Since 2026, the LBBW academy:square award has also been presented at art karlsruhe in cooperation with Landesbank Baden-Württemberg. It recognises the best student presentation at the academy:square with an acquisition for the LBBW collection.
Yes. As part of art karlsruhe, and with the support of Sparkasse Karlsruhe, the children’s art workshop Kind und Kunst e.V. offers children aged five and over a wide range of opportunities to get creative and explore art through a variety of materials and techniques. Children are welcome to take their finished artworks home with them.
Opening hours:
- Wednesday, 17 February 2027 from 2.00 pm
- Thursday and Friday, 18-19 February 2027 from 3.00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday, 20-21 February 2027 from 11.00 am