MAKATI CITY — October in Makati has transformed into a vibrant canvas of creativity as ARTober 2026 takes over the city’s streets, parks, and cultural spaces. Organized by Make It Makati, Ayala Land, and Circuit Makati, this month-long celebration coincides with the nationwide Museums and Galleries Month and brings together visual art, film, music, and performance in a collective showcase of Filipino artistry. The festival positions Makati as a central stage for the country’s creative industries, inviting residents and visitors to experience art beyond gallery walls and into the everyday life of the city.
Shakespeare Under the Stars and On the Streets
ARTober 2026 officially opens with the highly anticipated return of Shakespeare in the Park, featuring a streamlined production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The play will be staged on October 2 and 3 at 7:00 PM at Ayala Triangle, and on October 4 at Circuit Park. Directed by Nelsito Gomez, the production stars Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo in her Shakespearean debut as Lady Macbeth, opposite Tarek El Tayech in the title role. Admission is free, with donations strongly encouraged, making world-class theater accessible to everyone.
A Citywide Canvas of Art and Culture
Beyond the open-air theater, ARTober 2026 unfolds across multiple venues in Makati. The Breezeway Activity Center at Circuit Makati hosts an art fair where fine art meets street art, and film meets music, with urban crawls, creative talks, and art markets filling the month. One of the notable exhibitions this year is “Life of Lils,” a multi-panel painting by digital artist Kimmydeuk. The piece is composed of 20 individual 15cm × 15cm canvas panels, which together form a single connected artwork depicting the everyday life and stories of the Lils community. The painting represents Kimmydeuk’s transition from digital illustration into physical exhibition, bringing characters from the digital space into the real world for ARTober 2026. Hotels in Makati are also embracing the artistic spirit. The Picasso Makati hosts Altro Mondo, a contemporary gallery on its third floor that is free and open to the neighborhood, showcasing emerging and established Filipino artists with new work every two to three months. Meanwhile, New World Makati Hotel presents “Likha: The Living Gallery,” a six-month exhibition running until December 2026 that transforms the hotel’s main lobby and upper deck into dynamic gallery spaces. The exhibition showcases over 30 Filipino artists, including Juvenal Sansó and Raul Isidro, with a portion of artwork sales benefiting the Mano Amiga Foundation.
Why ARTober Matters for Makati
ARTober 2026 reinforces Makati’s role as a hub for cultural expression and creative exchange. By bringing art into parks, hotels, and public spaces, the festival democratizes access to culture and supports the livelihoods of Filipino artists, performers, and artisans. It also strengthens the city’s tourism appeal, drawing visitors who seek immersive and meaningful experiences beyond shopping and dining. As October unfolds, Makati invites everyone to take part in a celebration that honors tradition while embracing innovation, making the city a living, breathing gallery for all to enjoy.
