The Lahore Biennale is a contemporary art exhibition held across the city's heritage sites and public buildings every few years, with art in places such as Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens. Three editions have run so far, and the fourth, LB04, titled "The Shape of Coexistence", is announced to open on 27 March 2027, according to the Lahore Biennale Foundation. Admission to the 2024 edition was free, though the foundation's LB04 pages do not yet say whether entry will be free.
It is not a gallery visit. The works are spread over the city, some in historic buildings you might visit anyway, and this guide covers what it is, the past editions, the next one, and how to plan around the exhibition.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| What | Contemporary art biennale across Lahore's heritage sites |
| Editions so far | LB01 (March 2018), LB02 (early 2020), LB03 (5 October to 8 November 2024) |
| Next edition | LB04, opens 27 March 2027; curator Nav Haq |
| Entry | LB03 was free and open to the public; LB04 not yet confirmed |
| Organiser | Lahore Biennale Foundation |
| Dates 2026 | No edition this year |
What is the Lahore Biennale?
It is a biennale in the usual sense: a large, recurring exhibition of new and site-specific work by artists from Pakistan and abroad. The Lahore Biennale Foundation, founded in 2014, runs it, and the exhibitions use the city itself as a gallery, with commissions placed in historic and civic sites. For travellers it is a reason to see well-known places differently, or to find less-visited ones.
Past editions
LB01, March 2018. The first edition ran from 18 to 31 March 2018. The original artistic director, Rashid Rana, had stepped down in September 2017 (Biennial Foundation).
LB02, early 2020. The second edition was curated by Hoor Al Qasimi. We found little detail on its venues and dates, so we do not describe it further.
LB03, 5 October to 8 November 2024. Titled "Of Mountains and Seas" and curated by John Tain, it presented about 60 artists from more than 30 countries on ecology and sustainable futures (Biennial Association). Venues listed include Alhamra, GPO Square, the YMCA, Pak Tea House, Lahore Museum, Nasir Bagh, Bradlaugh Hall, Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, with Shalimar taking part for the first time. Admission was free, and the opening weekend had artist talks, performances and heritage and food tours, followed by a Climate Congress in the closing week.
The fourth edition: LB04 in 2027
The foundation says LB04, "The Shape of Coexistence", opens on 27 March 2027, with Nav Haq of the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp as curator. From 27 to 31 March the International Biennial Association will hold its 14th General Assembly in Lahore alongside the opening, described by the foundation as a first for Pakistan.
Earlier press coverage was less certain: The Art Newspaper in February 2026 reported a January 2027 opening, so rely on the foundation's own pages. The Art Newspaper also reported that the edition will coincide with the 80th anniversary of Partition and explore connections across borders, and named Lahore Fort, Tollinton Market and Punjab Public Records as venues. The foundation has not published a full venue list, a closing date or a list of artists in the sources we could find. Check lahorebiennale.org before booking.
How to plan a visit
We cannot tell you the final programme, so plan loosely and confirm the details once the foundation announces them.
- Book Lahore around the opening. Opening weekends have had talks, tours and performances, and the city is at its busiest with art visitors and delegates then.
- Use the venues as an itinerary. Several sites are already worth a visit on their own: Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Museum and Alhamra Arts Council. Regular ticket rules at heritage sites may still apply, so check how entry works at each one.
- Allow time between venues. The works are spread across the city. Our guide to getting around Lahore covers rickshaws, ride-hailing and the metro.
- Go in spring weather. Late March is generally pleasant in Lahore, but check the forecast closer to the date.
- Check for closures, because heritage sites can have restricted hours or events.
Our experiences page has more ideas for cultural travel in Lahore, and the city's other arts events are covered in Faiz Festival.
Is the Lahore Biennale worth planning a trip around?
If you like contemporary art, probably yes: it is free in the last edition, spread across places you would visit anyway, and unlike a conventional gallery it is mixed with the city. If you are mainly interested in heritage or food, the biennale is a nice extra and not a reason to travel. Dates and details for LB04 may still change, so do not commit to non-refundable plans until the programme is published.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next Lahore Biennale?
LB04, "The Shape of Coexistence", opens on 27 March 2027 according to the Lahore Biennale Foundation. There is no edition in 2026.
Where is the Lahore Biennale held?
At sites around Lahore. LB03 used places including Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, Alhamra, Lahore Museum and Pak Tea House. LB04 venues have been reported as including Lahore Fort and Tollinton Market, with a full list not yet published.
Is the Lahore Biennale free?
LB03 in 2024 was free and open to the public. Entry for LB04 has not been announced, and heritage sites may charge their usual tickets.
Who curates LB04?
Nav Haq, associate director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, was appointed curator in February 2026.
How often is the Lahore Biennale held?
Editions so far were in 2018, 2020 and 2024, with the next due in 2027, so the gap has varied.
