17th MaArte Fair at The Pen’s 50th
Museum Foundation of the Philippines (MPFI)’s flagship fundraising event returns for its 17th edition with the theme Karnabal at The Peninsula Manila for four days, presenting Filipino art, fashion, heritage crafts, and artisanal products.
Words Gerie Marie Consolacion
Art by Nicole Vinco
August 14, 2026
Art by Nicole Vinco
For four days, the 17th MaArte Fair will take place at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City, running from 10 AM to 8 PM with this year’s theme, Karnabal.
Karnabal has been part of Filipino life and is something many grew up experiencing. Parents would often go to the ‘perya’ with their children to have some good time. Karnabal and perya carry an impression of having fun, being silly, and simply enjoying time offline.
Aside from this, perya has been known not only for its wild and over-the-top rides, but also for its eye-catching installations, colorful booths, and bright lights—elements that the MaArte Fair 2026 aims to replicate.
This year marks its biggest edition yet, with over 220 exhibitors, a growth from the previous year’s more than 170 exhibitors.
Aside from celebrating its 17th edition, this year also marks MaArte Fair’s eighth time at The Peninsula Manila. Along with this is the celebration of the hotel’s 50th anniversary. This year is particularly symbolic as the fair also welcomes prominent figures in the artisan industry, marking their debut at MaArte.
Among this year’s MaArte Fair debutants are prominent names such as Kelvin Morales, Happy Andrada, Alexie Nethercott, Robert Villar, Overlay Designs, and Capricho.
The fair welcomes different forms of fashion, from womenswear, handbags, leather accessories, and woven pieces to textile-driven fashion, featuring pieces from artisans who have previously joined the fair alongside those making their debut in this edition.
Aside from these fashion names, the fair also features prominent brands and makers such as Baler-based artist Pam Pinay, Alixia Marie PH, perfumery A.Mara, Mele + Marie, skincare and haircare brand Dermtropics, and local bag shop One Weave from Tondo, Manila.
But the fair doesn’t end with wearables. You can also shop for different items depending on what you’re looking for—whether it’s a furniture piece, kitchenware, perfumes, skincare, or more. And if you’re too tired from going through the stalls, you can always stop by the food merchants and explore the different dishes they offer.
The fair’s main purpose is not simply to gather artists and artisans in one space; rather, it carries a deeper purpose: to give back not only to the artists but also to its beneficiaries, such as small museums, while providing local scholarships. After all, despite being branded as a fundraising event, MaArte aims to empower, uplift, and preserve the country’s cultural heritage.
The MaArte Fair runs from August 13–16, 2026, at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City, from 10 AM to 8 PM. Admission is free.
