New York City has art auctions all year long, but the main art auction season is May and November. Most Americana (antiques) and Old Master auctions are in January.
Auction season usually has a flow that follows art history: Impressionist > Modern > Post War > Contemporary. The big action is in Contemporary art. The best items are usually sold in Night auctions.
Auction exhibitions are museum quality and highly recommended. They make a really nice date. You can also review auction items online.
Some auctions are open to the public, some require an invitation or permission to attend.
Art Auction News
2022
Americana Week (antiques) is mid-January. Masters Week is late-January.
Americana Week antique auctions are at Christie’s in Rockefeller Center, Jan 11 – Feb 2.
Americana Week antique auctions are at Sotheby’s in the Upper East Side, Jan 13-25.
Masters Week auctions are at Sotheby’s in the Upper East Side, Jan 18-29.
NYC’s Big Auction Houses
Christie’s and Sotheby’s do everything and do it well. Phillips auctions just contemporary art.
The Year in Art Auctions NYC
January Art Auctions NYC
2022
Americana Week (antiques) is mid-January. Masters Week is late-January.
Americana Week antique auctions are at Christie’s in Rockefeller Center, Jan 11 – Feb 2.
Americana Week antique auctions are at Sotheby’s in the Upper East Side, Jan 13-25.
Masters Week auctions are at Sotheby’s in the Upper East Side, Jan 18-29.
February Art Auctions NYC
2022
The Outsider Art auction at Christie’s in Rockefeller Center is Thu, Feb 3 at 10am. christies.com
March Art Auctions NYC
2022
Latin American Art
The Latin American Art auction at Christie’s in Rockefeller Center is Fri, Mar 11.
May Art Auctions NYC
2022
These are the big Spring auctions.
Christie’s
To be confirmed.
Sotheby’s
To be confirmed.
Phillips
To be confirmed.
October Art Auctions NYC
2021
Classic Week is the first week of October.
November Art Auctions NYC
2021
These are the big Fall auctions.
Christie’s
Christie’s November art auctions are Nov 9-18, 2021.
Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s November art auctions are Nov 14-23.
Phillips
Phillips November art auctions are Nov 17-18.
After the November auctions, the NYC art world heads south to Art Basel Miami at the beginning of December.