Ibiza Town prepares to welcome a travelling cultural project as the Art Explora Festival arrives on the island from 23 to 29 April 2026, coinciding with the annual patron saint festivities of Sant Jordi.
Following a strong opening stop in Barcelona, where it drew no fewer than 47,000 visitors, the festival continues its Mediterranean journey by docking at IGY Ibiza Marina. There, its distinctive museum ship will open daily to the public, offering a programme of immersive installations alongside live events and workshops on the quayside.
Free to attend, the initiative sets out to broaden access to contemporary culture by bringing artistic experiences directly to port cities. In Ibiza, the timing aligns with Sant Jordi day, a date traditionally associated with books, storytelling and cultural exchange, reinforcing the island’s long-standing connection to movement, trade and shared heritage across the Mediterranean.
At the centre of the festival sits the ship itself (a world first), a stunning 47-metre sailing catamaran designed to host up to 2,000 visitors per day. On board, visitors encounter a series of installations that explore the Mediterranean as a space of exchange and influence.
This cutting-edge approach to art installation makes the most of the latest technologies to offer attendees an immersive, sensorial experience. Created by IRCAM, the acoustic backdrop invites guests to listen to a layered audio landscape composed of natural, urban and cultural recordings gathered from across the region.
Elsewhere, a virtual reality experience developed with Ubisoft transports visitors to historical settings including Alexandria, Athens and Venice, offering a dazzling digital interpretation of Mediterranean civilisations and their artistic legacy.
Beyond the ship, activity continues along the marina. A programme of performances and participatory events runs throughout the week, connecting visitors more directly with local and international cultural practices.
On Saturday 25 April, Colla Sa Bodega presents a traditional dance performance, while the closing evening - as befits this electronic music mecca - features a DJ set from Jana Saleh.
Workshops form a key part of the programme, encouraging hands-on engagement. Sessions include an introduction to esparto weaving, rooted in Ibizan craft traditions, as well as participatory folk dance classes.
Elsewhere, filmmaker Enrique Villalonga leads guided cinema walks through Dalt Vila, linking locations with scenes from films shot on the island. Additional activities range from Japanese suminagashi ink techniques to storytelling sessions inspired by Mediterranean myths.
Organised by Art Explora, the festival continues to expand its reach through a model that combines mobility with open access. Since launching its maritime programme, the initiative has visited multiple ports across the region, positioning the ship as both a cultural venue and a platform for exchange.
As it docks in Ibiza for the first time, the festival brings a week-long programme that connects maritime heritage with contemporary creativity, inviting residents and visitors alike to step aboard and engage with art in a unique setting.
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