Art & Culture
Global art and design highlights
At Raffles, art and culture have always been part of the story. Curated collections within the hotels to exhibitions, design partnerships, cultural programming… Creativity is woven into the experience of each destination. And when the art and design calendar peaks, cities change gear. Galleries extend their hours, museums pull forward their strongest programming, and whole neighbourhoods start to feel like temporary creative districts.
Paris: art fairs and design gatherings
Paris naturally sits at the heart of this calendar. Art Basel Paris takes place from 23 to 25 October 2026 at the Grand Palais. The city’s design scene is equally vibrant: Maison&Objet Paris runs from 10 to 14 September 2026, while Paris Design Week takes place from 10 to 19 September 2026, drawing designers, studios and brands across showrooms, concept stores and exhibitions throughout the capital.
A Paris address shaped by art
Nearby, Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris reflects this artistic energy year-round. The Palace hosts exhibitions, artist collaborations and curated cultural programming, including the Jaouad Bentama show presented in the Lobby during Art Basel Paris with an exclusive series created for the hotel.
London: architecture, design and cultural festivals
London approaches design as a citywide conversation. The London Design Festival from 12 to 20 September 2026 transforms museums, galleries and institutions into exhibition spaces, while neighbourhoods such as Clerkenwell Design Week from 19 to 21 May 2026 host design studios, talks and installations during Clerkenwell Design Week.
The city’s cultural calendar continues with the London Festival of Architecture from 1 to 30 June 2026, a month-long programme of exhibitions, open studios and guided visits that reveal the city through the lens of design and urban thinking.
A historic London place with cultural gravity
From here, Raffles London at The OWO makes an elegant base. Set inside the restored Old War Office, it combines historic character with a quietly considered sense of design. For a more immersive experience, the Heritage Tour & Afternoon Tea in The Drawing Room offers a cultured pause between events.
Istanbul: the rhythm of the Biennial
Every two years, the Istanbul Biennial transforms the city into a platform for international contemporary art. Exhibitions unfold across museums, historic buildings and unexpected venues on both sides of the Bosphorus, encouraging visitors to explore neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
An artistic vantage point over Istanbul
Set above the city, Raffles Istanbul is well placed for the rhythm of the Istanbul Biennial 2027, between exhibitions, galleries and cultural events. Art continues inside the hotel too, through its remarkable contemporary collection and the “Dream of Istanbul” art tour, which gives guests a closer look at works displayed across the public spaces.
Shenzhen: the gateway to Art Basel Hong Kong
Art Basel Hong Kong from 27 to 29 March 2026 brings together leading international galleries, museum groups and collectors, with a programme that extends beyond the fair through talks, curated presentations and gallery events across the city.
A contemporary base near the region’s art scene
Just across the border in the Greater Bay Area, Raffles Shenzhen creates a contemporary perspective on the region’s cultural landscape. Set in One Shenzhen Bay, the hotel places guests within walking distance of Shenzhen Bay Port and close to Qianhai, while its public areas feature more than 100 original artworks by international artists. For a more immersive stay, the hotel also presents “Encounter Art over the Bay”, a private art tour curated by the Raffles Butler around the property’s collection.
Dubai: contemporary design in the Middle East
Dubai has become an important stop on the international design calendar. Downtown Design, the region’s leading contemporary design fair which takes place from 4 to 8 November 2026, anchors the city’s Design Week from 3 to 8 November 2026 with exhibitions, installations and product launches that attract designers and collectors from across the Middle East and Europe.
Design with a view of the Gulf
Nearby, Raffles The Palm Dubai presents a tranquil retreat between exhibitions, gallery visits and evening events across the city. Inspired by European palace architecture and refined contemporary interiors, the hotel blends craftsmanship, marble detailing and carefully curated artworks throughout its spaces.
A global creative calendar
More than a diary of openings, these moments offer a precise snapshot of what’s shaping the contemporary scene. This is where Raffles feels entirely at the crossroads of contemporary creativity and timeless hospitality, curating access to the world’s leading art, design and architectural scenes.
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