Arts & CultureMay
CONTACT Photography Festival
The world's largest photography festival transforms Toronto into an open-air gallery.
When
May 1–31, 2026
Where
Various venues city-wide
Area
Downtown
Cost
Free
Format
Indoor & Outdoor
Attendance
250K+ visitors
Running Since
1997 (29 years)
Family Friendly
Yes
VT Insider Tip
Pick up the festival guide and plan a neighbourhood route — the Ossington/Dundas West gallery cluster is walkable and always has strong shows. Opening nights at the bigger galleries have great receptions.
About
CONTACT is the world's largest annual photography festival, featuring hundreds of exhibitions across Toronto throughout May. Galleries, museums, artist-run centres, public spaces, and commercial venues all participate. It's a month-long celebration of photography in every form — from fine art to documentary to experimental work.
What to Expect
Month-long festival with 200+ exhibitions across the city. Major curated shows at institutions plus grassroots pop-ups. Most exhibitions are free.
Pro Tips
Don't try to see everything — focus on one or two neighbourhoods per weekend. The public installations in parks and subway stations are easy to catch during your commute.
Getting There
Exhibitions are scattered city-wide. Check the CONTACT map for clusters. Most major venues are TTC-accessible.