Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival 2026
Friday, May 1, 2026 – Monday, June 1, 2026
2:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
CONTACT is one of those festivals that makes Toronto feel like a world-class art city — because for one month every May, it genuinely is one. The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, and the city-wide exhibition has grown into the largest photography event in the world.
How It Works
CONTACT isn't a single venue or a single week. Throughout May, galleries, museums, artist-run centres, public spaces, and even billboards across Toronto become platforms for contemporary lens-based art. You'll encounter it walking down the street, riding the TTC, or ducking into a gallery you've never visited.
The Scale
Past years have featured hundreds of exhibitions across the city. Major institutional partners include the AGO, the ROM, the Power Plant, and the Ryerson Image Centre. But some of the best discoveries happen in smaller galleries and unexpected pop-up spaces.
The Anniversary
Thirty years is a remarkable run for any arts festival, and CONTACT has become as much a part of Toronto's identity as TIFF. The full programming announcement is expected in early April.
Cost
Most exhibitions are free. Some major museum venues charge their own regular admission.
