Art Basel Paris 2026 to feature Reference Festival and public art installations

The 2026 edition of the Reference Festival, titled ‘Freie Kunst’, will take place from October 22 to 25 in Paris during Art Basel Paris. Organized by Reference Studios, the festival is expanding from Berlin to a multi-city format, aiming to facilitate dialogue between leaders in art, fashion, music, and technology.

Central programming will be hosted at the Cité de la Mode et du Design, featuring experiential events, installations, and live discussions, alongside workshops held at a private salon on the Left Bank. Notable participants include Richie Hawtin, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Eartheater.

In conjunction with Art Basel, the Jardin de la Nouvelle-France will serve as a free outdoor gallery from October 20 to 25. The site will host the installation ‘Celia, or the Misfortunes of Virtue’ by Mexican artist Boz Deseo Garden. The sculpture work engages with the history of slavery and its representation in public spaces, utilizing the garden's landscape to create a thematic setting.