Why You Should Catch Gateway Art Fair 2026 in Cubao This Sunday
If you’re still deciding what to do this Sunday, here’s an easy one: Gateway Art Fair 2026 ends tomorrow, October 4, at Araneta City in Cubao.
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| The Gateway Art Fair 2026 |
Admission is free, the fair brings together more than 200 Filipino artists and art groups, and there are still workshops and talks happening through the final weekend. The main fair runs at Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2, while the workshops and talks are happening at Gateway Mall 1.
It’s also an easy event to drop into without committing to a full museum day. You can browse for half an hour, stay longer if something catches your attention, or make it one stop in a Sunday around Cubao.
Here’s what’s still worth catching before the fair closes.
Gateway Art Fair 2026 at a Glance
| Last day | Sunday, October 4, 2026 |
| Main exhibit | Quantum Skyview, Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, Cubao |
| Workshops & talks | Gateway Mall 1, October 2–4 |
| Saturday mall hours | 10 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday mall hours | 10 AM–9 PM |
| Admission | FREE |
Araneta City lists mall hours as 10 AM–10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 AM–9 PM from Sunday to Thursday.
5 Reasons to Catch It Before It Ends
1. It’s the biggest Gateway Art Fair yet
Now on its fifth edition, Gateway Art Fair 2026 brings together more than 200 artists and art groups from around the country, making this its biggest group of participants so far.
Expect a mix of paintings, sculpture, mixed media, installations, and works from artist collectives, galleries, schools, and independent artists.
That variety is part of the fun. You can move from something traditional to something experimental in just a few steps.
2. Admission is free
No ticket is needed to browse the main exhibit.
That makes this an easy weekend stop, especially if you’re already headed to Cubao for lunch, shopping, or another errand.
You can stay as long — or as briefly — as you like.
3. You can actually talk to the artists
One thing that makes an art fair feel different from a traditional museum visit is the chance to see artists alongside their work.
Ask what inspired a piece. Ask how it was made. Ask what materials they used.
It makes contemporary art feel much more approachable, especially if you don’t normally visit galleries.
And there’s something refreshing about standing in front of an actual handmade work and talking to the person who created it.
4. Free workshops and talks are happening today and tomorrow
Gateway Art Fair’s free talks and workshops continue at Upper Ground, Gateway Mall 1 through Sunday, October 4.
The activities are open to everyone — beginners, hobbyists, children, adults, and anyone who simply wants to try making art.
Saturday, October 3
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Relief & Rubber Cut Workshop
- 5:00–6:00 PM — Enter Rapaccini’s Garden: A Collaborative Drawing and Coloring Experience
Sunday, October 4
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM — Palette Knife Technique Using Modeling Paste
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Soft Sculpture Workshop
- 5:00–6:00 PM — Watercolor Workshop
You can sign up in advance, but walk-ins are also accepted as long as slots and materials are available.
If there’s a particular workshop you want to join, arriving early or registering ahead is still the safer bet. If you’re just dropping by, you may still be able to join on the spot.
Tip: Do the workshop first at Gateway Mall 1, then head over to Gateway Mall 2 to browse the main art fair afterward.
5. The art goes beyond the main atrium
Don’t stop at Quantum Skyview.
Art installations are also spread across Levels 3 and 4 of Gateway Mall 2.
Among the works to look out for:
Chris Luca — a piece about the struggles of commuting
Elias Pernecita Jr. — work exploring art and sustainability
Nina Chanco Libatique — an interactive, playful artwork designed for pets
It makes the fair feel less like one contained exhibit and more like an art trail through the mall.
Something New This Year: The Gateway Art Fair Awards
This year also introduced the first Gateway Art Fair Awards, created to recognize participating artists.
Categories include:
Gateway Art Fair Masterpiece Award
Breakthrough Artist Award
Exhibit of the Year
The awards were scheduled to be presented at the fair’s opening on October 1, with prizes from Boysen Paint Philippines and Art Bar, along with specially sculpted trophies.
Even without keeping track of the official winners, it’s fun to pick your own favorite piece while walking around.
Which work would you have given Best in Show?
Thinking of Buying Art? Metrobank Has a Gateway Art Fair Promo
If something catches your eye enough that you’re thinking of taking it home, Metrobank has payment offers specifically for purchases made at Gateway Art Fair.
Eligible Metrobank credit cardholders can use:
PayNow
You can send payment directly to an artist using your Metrobank credit card through the Metrobank App.
0% installment for up to 3 months
Eligible artwork purchases of at least ₱3,000 can be paid at 0% installment for up to three months.
Metrobank confirms that these offers apply during Gateway Art Fair 2026, October 1–4, subject to eligible-card and standard promo terms.
If you’ve ever thought about buying an original work but felt unsure about starting, an art fair is a good place to browse first, talk to the artist, and ask questions before deciding.
And if you’re only there to look, admission to the fair itself is still free.
A Few Tips Before You Go
Go earlier if you can
Sunday traffic around Cubao can get busy, and final-day events often draw bigger crowds.
Arriving near opening gives you more room to browse.
Check workshops first
If joining a workshop matters to you, head to Gateway Mall 1 before spending too much time at the main exhibit.
The workshops run through tomorrow, but exact session times may vary.
Don’t feel like you have to understand everything
Some artworks will immediately make sense. Others won’t.
That’s normal.
Pick a few pieces that catch your attention and spend more time with those instead of trying to absorb the entire fair.
Getting there
Araneta City is accessible from both MRT-3 Araneta Center–Cubao and LRT-2 Araneta Center–Cubao, making it an easy option if you’d rather skip the parking hunt.
Make a day of it
There are plenty of places to eat around Gateway, Farmers Plaza, and the rest of Araneta City, so it’s easy to turn the fair into lunch, merienda, or an afternoon around Cubao.
Missed It? There’s More Art This October
If you can’t make it before Gateway Art Fair closes, there’s still plenty happening around Metro Manila this month.
ManilART arrives in BGC later in October, Olafur Eliasson’s Your curious journey is still running at MCAD, and several museum exhibitions are closing before the month ends.
👉 Art & Museum Events in Metro Manila This October 2026
https://grilledtomatoes.blogspot.com/2026/10/art-museum-events-to-visit-this-october.html
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If you’re going this weekend, tell us what caught your attention.
Details are based on official announcements available as of October 3, 2026. Workshop schedules, availability, and promo terms may change, so check Gateway Art Fair, Araneta City, and Metrobank’s official pages before going. This post is not sponsored.
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