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Art
Exhibitions on the Radar
Here are some must-see exhibitions for art and culture lovers this winter.
London
Encounters: Giacometti × Mona Hatoum
This exhibition is the second in a series conceived as a dialogue between contemporary artists and Alberto Giacometti (1901–1966), a sculptor emblematic of 20th century modern art. Giacometti’s sculptures are presented here alongside both new and earlier works by Mona Hatoum. The exhibition highlights motifs shared by the two artists — such as a cage, violence, hostile environments and surreal sensibilities — probing the twisted, contradictory concepts and emotions that make us human.
- Barbican Centre
- 9.3 – 1.11.2026
Singapore
Singapore Biennale 2025
The Singapore Biennale 2025 unfolds at the Singapore Art Museum and various sites throughout the city to bring art to unexpected places. Now in its 8th edition, the biennale brings together over 80 international artists to present a wide spectrum of artistic practices. Organized around the theme pure intention, this year’s biennale has been designated a “signature event” for Singapore’s SG60 celebration of the 60th anniversary of its independence.
- Singapore Art Museum and across the city
- 10.31 – 3.29.2026
Paris
Paris Photo 2025
The 28th edition of Paris Photo will be held at the Grand Palais, one of the city’s most iconic venues. The fair focuses on expanding the boundaries of photography and image-based art, while facilitating exchange across borders between participants from 33 countries. The “Main” sector is one of five presented in the fair along with “Emergence,” spotlighting rising artists; “Digital,” which is devoted to artists exploring digital practices; “Voices,” which invites guest curators who provide a fresh outlook on photography; and “Book,” which showcases the world of photography publishing. Together, these sectors cover the latest currents in the international photography scene.
- Grand Palais
- 11.13 – 11.16
Seoul
Kim Tschang-yeul
As the first major retrospective of the late Kim Tschang-yeul, master of modern Korean art, this exhibition offers a sweeping reexamina- tion of his work within the context of Korea’s art history, as well as global art history more broadly. A leader of the Korean Art Informel movement in the 1950s, Kim turned to waterdrops in the early 1970s, a theme to which he would continually return throughout his career. Alongside his best-known works, this exhibition presents previously unreleased materials and early works, offering multiple angles from which to view his life and creative process.
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
- 8.22 – 12.21
Winter Escapes
Once Upon a Winter
Enjoy a fairy-tale holiday season filled with light and laughter this winter.
Nuremberg
Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt
With a history of over 400 years, the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is counted among the world’s oldest and most celebrated Christmas markets, embodying the essence of German tradition. Every year in late November, the main square of the Old Town is illuminated with sparkling lights as the Christkindl (young woman chosen to give Christmas gifts to children) officially opens the Christmas market. Around 180 stalls offer classic German Christmas delights such as gingerbread, sausages and glühwein (mulled wine) to cuckoo clocks, ornaments and candles. The twinkling lights and jolly music in this medieval square are sure to be the romantic capstone of your winter trip to Europe.
- Hauptmarkt Square
- 11.28 - 12.24
New York
Bank of America Winter Village
Each winter, Bryant Park, in central Manhattan, is transformed into a winter village that has become a perennial destination for both New Yorkers and visitors alike. Thanks to its ice rink and holiday market, the park has become essential to the New York holiday season. Skating and shopping infuse the middle of the metropolis with the spirit of the season.
- Bryant Park
- 10.24 – 3.1.2026
Sapporo
White Illumination
This popular winter festival has been filling the city streets with glittering decorations of all sizes since 1981. From the festival’s start date until Christmas, Odori Park also hosts a German Christmas market, which was inspired by Sapporo’s sister-city ties with Munich. The market offers traditional German sausages, glühwein (mulled wine) and a variety of Christmas decorations and ornaments, bringing a little taste of Europe’s Christmas spirit to Japan.
- 11.21 – 3.14.2026
Dubai
Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market
The city of sand transforms into a winter wonderland during this monthlong event. Being warm in December, Dubai makes up for its lack of snow with illumination and imagination. The Christmas market at Madinat Jumeirah Fort Island features an 11m tall Christmas tree, and along with traditional abra boat rides, amusement rides at the market make it a popular destination for families.
- Madinat Jumeirah Fort Island
- 12.5 – 12.31
Festivals
Light Up Winter
Check out these global festivals making winter special.
Lyon
Fête des Lumières
What began as a religious tradition of citizens setting candles or lanterns on their window sills has become a world-renowned celebration of light art that draws millions of visitors each year. Exhibitions change each year but projection mapping on the facade of famous Lyon landmarks, including the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Place des Terreaux square, the epicenter of the festival, are not
to be missed, as well as large-scale installations, which turn the city into a vast open-air museum.
- 12.5 - 12.8
Bali
Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP)
Tracks by the world’s hottest DJs will unite the crowds and light up the night in Bali. As one of Asia’s largest EDM festivals, the Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) draws tens of thousands of fans to revel in its infectious beats and immersive stage shows. With dazzling laser displays and monumental stage sets, the DWP truly lives up to its reputation as the ultimate winter music festival.
- 12.12 - 12.14
Korea
Busan
2025 Busan Fireworks Festival
Busan Fireworks Festival has grown into a global celebration with genre-bending performances featuring music and storytelling. Held at several locations including Gwangalli Beach, Igidae Coastal Trail and Dongbaekseom Island area, the theme for the 20th edition is Twenty Years of Light, Hope for the Future. The event promises not only to convey the city’s history and identity in the form of fireworks, but also to showcase its stature as a global tourist destination.
- 11.15
Seoul
Bosingak Bell-Ringing on New Year’s Eve
Perhaps the best-known of Korea’s year-end traditions is the Bosingak bell-ringing ceremony, held in downtown Seoul. Every New Year’s Eve, the streets around Bosingak are closed off to traffic as crowds gather around Jonggak (bell pavillion) to await the stroke of midnight, when the great bell of Bosingak is tolled 33 times. The resounding bell marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one, symbolizing the nation’s shared hope for the year to come.
- 12.31
Pohang
Homigot Sunrise Festival
Held at Homigot Village in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, the easternmost spot on the Korean Peninsula, this festival is one of South Korea’s signature celebrations of the New Year. On January 1, Koreans congregate here to view the first sunrise of the year and offer prayers for health and prosperity in the months ahead. Along with the sunrise, the festival will feature a range of performances, fireworks and local cultural experiences for visitors.
- 12.31 - 1.1.2026
