MODE: The World’s Photography Festival
September 18-20, 2026
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
Our support team is ready to help answer any questions around any problem you might have, but give this a gander first and see if our oracles predicted what ails you.
MODE by Flickr is a three-day, multi-media, multi-venue photography festival in downtown Minneapolis. It combines elements of a traditional trade show with a high-energy festival. Each day there will be workshops, concerts, talks, demos, screenings, and meetups, all designed to leave you creatively recharged and more connected to your people.
MODE is produced by Flickr. We have been a home for photographers for more than 20 years, and MODE is the real-world extension of that: sharing work, learning together, and growing your craft without chasing algorithms.
Date: Friday, September 18th - Sunday, September 20th
Time: Daily schedules will vary by venue and programming, and the full hours-by-day lineup can be found in the MODE interface within the Flickr app and at https://www.modefestival.com/schedule
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota (Downtown)
Photographers needed something real. In a world where algorithms shape what we see and how we connect, we wanted to build a space that’s human again—IRL, community-first, and made for the people who actually love the craft. MODE is our way of bringing photography out of the apps and into the streets.
MODE is both indoors and outdoors, depending on the event. Because it encompasses multiple venues, MODE will happen rain or shine.
MODE festival is an extension of the Flickr community - it’s for photography-lovers of every kind! Professionals, hobbyists, students, creators, filmmakers, photo fans or anyone who just wants to be around other image-makers for a weekend, are all welcome here.
• Photography essentials: camera body, lenses, batteries, memory cards, and a reasonably-sized camera bag or backpack.
• Laptop or tablet, backup drives, power bank, and charging cables.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Notepad and pen.
• Comfortable shoes, sunglasses, hat and clothing layers for appropriate weather.
The following items are not permitted at concert venues:
• Weapons, including firearms, knives, stun guns, and pepper spray
• Fireworks, explosives, flares, and smoke bombsIllegal drugs and substances
• Outside alcohol
• Outside food and beverages, except permitted water and approved medical necessities
• Glass bottles and other glass containers
• Coolers, except approved medically necessary coolers
• Umbrellas
• Aerosol cans, spray paint, and nonmedical pressurized containers
• Drones and remote-controlled aircraft
• Laser pointers, air horns, and other disruptive noisemakers
• Poles and totemsTents, canopies, hammocks, and inflatable furniture
• Bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, and recreational scooters (accessibility and mobility devices excepted)
• Strollers
• Large backpacks
• Unauthorized merchandise, vending supplies, and promotional distribution materials
Reasonably-sized camera/gear bags are allowed and will be inspected upon entry into festival areas of access. After inspection, each bag will be tagged. Tagged bags can use expedited reentry lanes. If a bag’s tag is missing, lost or broken, the bag will need to be rechecked and re-tagged.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited indoors.
Trained service animals are welcome throughout the festival grounds. Emotional support or therapy animals are not considered service animals under the ADA. Animals must remain under control and on leash or harness at all times.
Re-entry is not permitted for concerts. Re-entry is allowed for all non-concert venues for the dates and times included with your ticket, and with a MODE wristband.
Please contact our Support team at support@modefestival.com
MODE has partnered with Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau to offer hotel accommodations exclusively to MODE attendees. Book here to secure your lodging.
Minneapolis is easy to reach by plane, car, or train—and once you’re downtown, MODE is designed to be walkable and venue-hoppable. We’ll share a full transportation guide closer to September 2026.
We recommend getting to MODE either a day early on Thursday, September 17th early or Friday, September 18th. Please arrive with your wristband that was picked up at Will-Call for access to areas and events, depending on your ticket type.
There’s no official dress code, but the festival takes place in multiple locations that require walking or wheeling. We recommend wearing attire that you feel comfortable in for that. We also suggest bringing sunglasses, hats and clothing layers for the changing Minneapolis weather.
Attendees must be 18+ for General Festival access and concert access. You must also be 18+ for access to the Peavey Plaza Food & Beverage Garden. Guests 21+ will receive a designated wristband.
We recommend buying ahead of time so you lock in your spot and get the smoothest entry experience. On-site pass availability will depend on capacity, so on-site passes are not guaranteed.
Every attendee - U.S.- based or international - picks up their wristband on-site at the MODE Festival Will-Call starting September 17th, with valid photo ID matching the name on the order.
Will-Call is located at Dayton's Project at 700 Nicollet Mall and at Loring Park. It's open September 17th - September 20th, from 8am to 8pm. Will-Call in Loring Park opens at 2pm.
If your wristband is lost, stolen, or damaged, please visit the MODE Festival Will-Call. A replacement can be issued once we verify your original purchase, subject to a $25 replacement fee.
Passes to MODE are non-refundable, but they are transferrable. Please contact our support team at support@modefestival.com to do so.
We welcome all individuals and are committed to providing access and inclusion. If you have a disability and require accommodations to participate in the festival, please contact accessibility@modefestival.com at least 2 weeks in advance.
The deadline to request accommodations is two weeks before the festival, on Friday, September 4th, 2026. Please contact accessibility@modefestival.com so we can work with you to meet your needs.
The full event schedule for MODE can be found here or you can download the Flickr app and use the MODE Festival scheduler if you're ready to start RSVPing for programming at MODE.
We curated talent with great intention. We looked for creators and voices who represent the full range of photography today—across styles, communities, and career paths—and who bring real perspective, craft, and energy to the room.
We’re always open to partnering with brands that show up for photographers in a real way. Sponsorship opportunities range from hands-on demos and experiences to programming, creative lounges, and community activations. If you want in, reach out to sales@modefestival.com—let’s build something people actually remember.
Thank you for coming to MODE Festival 2026!
That's a wrap!
Thank you to all of our partners, speakers, and attendees for making MODE Festival happen. We had three incredibly full days in Minneapolis with some of the most inspiring photographers and seeing that passion and creativity play out in real life showed us exactly why we needed an event like this.
Thank you deeply from the MODE and Flickr teams. Keep an eye on this space and our socials for more inspiration and information about what's next for MODE!
And don't forget to post all your photos in the official MODE by Flickr group and connect with the other attendees!
