One of the country’s biggest gatherings of Filipino artisan-entrepreneurs is back at The Manila Peninsula from August 13–16. Now on its 17th staging, the MaArte Fair at the Pen has become an annual must-go-to event for discerning Filipino shoppers who are passionate about uniquely Filipino creativity, the evolution of traditional Filipino artisanship, and both preserving our cultural heritage as well as making it relevant in the 21st century.
This year features the biggest gathering yet of some of the most recognized names in bespoke Filipino design and craftsmanship, many of whom have grown with the MaArte Fair since 2009. It will also be welcoming a bumper crop of up-and-coming entrepreneurs, making for a mix of offerings that have made it a consistent favorite among Metro Manila’s who’s who.
This year’s theme, Karnabal, will be a whimsical, nostalgic, yet contemporary reimagining of the iconic Manila Carnival—an annual event that was held from 1908 to 1939. It has since been inextricably woven into Philippine culture and lives on today as the ubiquitous perya. MaArte Fair’s Karnabal vibrantly brings together culture, community, and creativity in service of a greater cause.
The MaArte Fair is the flagship fundraising event of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines (MFPI), a private non-profit organization committed to the preservation of Philippine cultural heritage. A portion of the fair’s proceeds are issued as grants to deserving organizations or individuals engaged in cultural preservation projects.
“Karnabal is our way of turning the fairgrounds into a living tribute to a piece of Filipino history that many younger generations have only heard about in passing,” said Danny C. Jacinto, President of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines (MFPI). “Every exhibitor here is helping us keep that story – and the artisans who carry it forward – alive for the next generation.”
For MaArte Fair 2026, returning MaArte mainstays such as Happy Andrada, PamPinay, A.Mara, and OneWeave will provide the event’s remarkable staying power, while an influx of pioneering new exhibitors—namely Genes & Hails, Locallaé, Lookal by Alixia Marie, Ligaw Travel Accessories, Dermtropics, Mele + Marie, and FAMPh—inject a fresh sense of excitement, novelty, and even mystery.
This year’s event is co-sponsored by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and GCash for Business, reflecting their shared commitment to preserving the Philippines’ cultural heritage. As part of its sponsorship, BPI also offers exclusive privileges for its clients, making the experience even more rewarding while celebrating the country’s rich history and culture.
The fair’s celebratory atmosphere is also in line with the 50th Anniversary of The Manila Peninsula, which will be the home of the MaArte Fair for the eighth time.
For more information, visit: https://museumfoundationph.org/maarte-fair
