Flickr launches MODE, a three-day photography festival bringing major creators to Minneapolis in September 2026

A new citywide photography event is scheduled for downtown Minneapolis

Flickr has announced the launch of MODE by Flickr, an inaugural, three-day photography festival planned for September 18–20, 2026, across downtown Minneapolis. The organizers describe the event as a citywide format combining creator-led programming, exhibitions, and hands-on activities designed for photographers and visual storytellers at different career stages.

MODE is set to span multiple venues and is framed as an in-person extension of Flickr’s long-running online photography community. The festival’s structure is organized around seven programming themes: Change, Next, Money, Motion, Culture, IRL, and Earth—topics that range from documentary storytelling and business practices to emerging tools, analog processes, and environmental conversations.

Headliners and partners named for the first-year lineup

The initial slate of keynote speakers includes photographers Chris Burkard, Keith Ladzinski, Jimmy Steinfeldt, and Brooke Shaden, who is listed as the event’s Artist-in-Residence. Additional featured photographers announced for programming include Sandro Miller, Art Streiber, Penny De Los Santos, Rob Grimm, and David Johnson.

The announcement also includes planned programming partnerships with Black Women Photographers founder Polly Irungu and the Inside Out Project. Sponsorship support named to date includes Fujifilm and HOVERAir, with additional partners expected to be added.

Workshops, demos, exhibitions, and public-facing activations

Organizers say attendees can expect a mix of workshops, live shoots, editing sessions, panels, screenings, photo walks, and equipment demonstrations, along with installations and exhibitions. The program description emphasizes both traditional and digital approaches, including analog and darkroom-related activities alongside technology-focused demonstrations.

• Workshops and masterclasses led by established photographers
• Hands-on demos and gear-focused activations
• Panels covering photojournalism, business models, and industry practice
• Events spanning still photography, video, and moving-image storytelling

Ticket pricing and access details

Passes are on sale now. Pricing announced starts at $300 for Flickr Pro members, with general admission and VIP options listed from $330 to $660. Organizers have also said additional speakers and workshops will be announced over time.

Accessibility, safety, and sustainability commitments

Festival planners say the event will use accessible venues and incorporate safety and emergency protocols. The announcement also describes sustainability measures intended to reduce single-use materials and support recycling. MODE is described as 1% for the Planet certified, aligning the event with a broader environmental membership framework used by businesses to support verified environmental causes.

MODE by Flickr is scheduled for September 18–20, 2026, and is planned as a multi-venue festival across downtown Minneapolis.

City leadership has publicly welcomed the festival, positioning it as a cultural event that could draw visitors while highlighting local creative communities and businesses.