Books are still big—no matter how many times the death of the publishing industry has been proclaimed. And of course, the term ‘book’ is broad. Over the last few decades, artists’ books—that slippery category ranging from the handmade to glossy monographs to zines—have proliferated. None more so than photobooks. They are bound in coil or wire, stapled, sewn, or glued, sheathed in cloth or paper, table-sized or tiny. Order them online, buy them at a gallery, pop into a bookstore, peruse the shelves at the library. Or, for the most dizzying, overwhelming immersion, head to an art book fair.
Art book fairs and festivals are everywhere, filling rooms, tents, even boats with tables of books, zines, prints, and more (you could potentially outfit yourself from head to toe at a fair—take your pick from caps, totes, tees, and even socks). These events come in many flavors, shapes, and sizes. Some require timed tickets and others have lines down the block. There are photography-only events and zinefests, omnibus fairs drawing in thousands of visitors, and institutional ones accompanying exhibitions or conferences. They are the largest driver of engagement with photography publications, an increasingly important means of distribution, and often a pretty darn good time. But first, like flipping through a book, let’s start at the beginning.
The book fair model in the traditional publishing industry skews corporate, with huge global events where titles are bought and sold alongside licensing rights and contract negotiations. The art book fair scene began as a counter to this; an independent, grassroots movement started by working artists themselves. This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of the first fairs of its kind (and the 50th anniversary of the institution that runs it).
In 2006, AA Bronson, the then director of Printed Matter, the famed artists’ book store in New York City, launched the inaugural New York Art Book Fair. The idea began as a way to support the distribution and understanding of artists’ books by providing a chance for artists and publishers to engage with the public, their peers, and new audiences. The NYABF’s first outing featured 70 exhibitors; recent iterations have held over 300, with publishers, artists, and collectives from across the world.
In 2009, the Tokyo Art Book Fair was inaugurated, followed in 2010 by Offprint, which hosts fairs in Paris and London during photo industry events. Whether through dedicated photo publisher rooms or exhibition opportunities, photography and photobooks have been a foundational part of these fairs since the beginning. Art Basel hosts a book fair, as does Les Rencontres d’Arles, AIPAD (the Association of International Photography Art Dealers), Paris Photo, and Photo London all have photobook sections. Festivals both big and small from Images Vevey and PhMuseum Days to Philadelphia’s 20/20 Photo Festival feature book events as well.
Many publishers time their new releases to coincide with fairs, which present the opportunity to program book signings and talks, to submit books to awards, and to meet with distributors and collectors. Fairs are a fantastic resource for photographers—giving an overview of the publishing scene, gathering artists, editors, curators, collectors, and designers, and providing a platform for sales and visibility as well as conversation and connection. The big names are there, from Aperture to Mack, as are smaller, experimental presses.
Many fairs host lectures, workshops, and exhibitions. At this year’s ICP Photobook Fest, one could peruse “Photo-based Books from the Collections of Center for Book Arts selected by Christian Patterson” or view the group show Twin Cities: Held Together presented by the Magnum Foundation. The shortlist for the Paris Photo–Aperture PhotoBook Awards will be on view in the Grand Palais during Paris Photo and bookmaking workshops are on offer at Arles. At some fairs, industry hours are set aside, inviting institutional librarians, bookstore buyers, and collectors a quieter window to browse and familiarize themselves with new work.
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the fair scene is community. The photography world gathers together, to launch titles and look at new work, catch up and share ideas. You might meet the artist behind your favorite publication, listen in on a discussion of alternative distribution methods, or find a collective expanding the realm of photobook possibilities, hell you might even meet a future collaborator (reader, a fair is where I met the lovely bookstore owner I ended up marrying). Whether you’re looking for design inspiration, your new favorite title, or researching publishers, the world of book fairs beckons.
The Americas
Printed Matter New York Art Book Fair
Sept 24 - 27, 2026
New York, NY
One of the largest events celebrating the breadth of arts publishing, this fair takes place in September at MoMA PS 1. The NYABF features a dedicated section for photography publishers, as well as rare books, a zine tent, and a slew of programming from panel discussions to performances. Ticketed entry, Sunday is free.
ICP Photobook Fest
May 8 - 10, 2026
New York, NY
ICP hosts more than 75 publishers from around the world alongside a series of talks, book signings, and project space exhibitions across their museum space on the Lower East Side. Ticketed entry.
AIPAD: The Photography Show
April 22 - 26, 2026
New York, NY
AIPAD, the Association of International Photography Art Dealers, hosts a Photobook section during their annual event, The Photography Show. Artist talks, book signings, and panel discussions are programmed throughout the week. Ticketed entry.
CPW Photobook and Zine Fair
August 8 - 9, 2026
Kingston, NY
Hosted by the Center for Photography at Woodstock in Kingston, NY, the Photobook and Zine Fair brings together over 30 publishers and artists for a weekend of books, discussions, and zine making. Free entry.
Printed Matter Los Angeles Art Book Fair
May 7 - 10, 2026
Los Angeles, CA
Printed Matter’s West Coast fair takes place in the spring, most recently hosted at Pasadena’s ArtCenter College of Design, featuring an international slate of publishers, artists, and designers. Ticketed entry, Sunday free day.
San Francisco Art Book Fair
July 23 - 26, 2026
San Francisco, CA
Now in its 10th year, the San Francisco Art Book Fair is a multi-day event held at the Minnesota Street Project Foundation, celebrating art publishing and print culture. Programming includes discussions, artist talks, and project space exhibitions.
San Francisco Photobook Fair
October 17 - 18, 2026
San Francisco, CA
This fall fair features 30 publishers and vendors selling and promoting photography books, magazines, and zines during a two-day event at the Harvey Milk Photo Center. Free entry.
20/20 Photo Festival Photo Book Fair
September 12, 2026
Philadelphia, PA
As part of the 20/20 Photo Festival, a one day book fair featuring individual artists, independent publishers, and art spaces takes over Cherry Street Pier. Free entry.
Pittsburgh Art Book Fair
October 31 - November 1, 2026
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Art Book Fair, held at the Carnegie Museum of Art, features a diverse range of publishers of photography, design, zines, and more. Programming includes readings, releases, and a book swap. Free entry.
Filter Photo Festival
Chicago, IL
An annual photography festival held in Chicago, Filter hosts exhibitions, artist talks, and a juried photobook exhibition, as well as workshops on topics from publishing to developing photobook narratives. Free entry.
Multiple Formats
March 2027
Boston, MA
Multiple Formats is a platform hosting conversations about pedagogical practices involving artist books, artist advocacy, and artist book distribution, collection, and access. A one day book fair is held during their yearly gathering, for exhibitors from around the United States.
Contact Photobook Fair
May 2, 2026
Toronto, ON, Canada
Held during the annual CONTACT Photography Festival in May, the Photobook Fair is programmed by The Photobook Lab, a shop, reading room, and community meeting place in Toronto for photobook lovers. Free entry.
Vancouver Art Book Fair
May 15 - 17, 2026
Vancouver, BC, Canada
The Vancouver Art Book Fair is a three-day celebration of artists’ publishing featuring over one hundred local, national and international publishers, as well as a diverse line-up of programs, performances and artists’ projects. Free entry.
Zum Festival
November
São Paulo, Brazil
Zum Festival is an annual event at the Moreira Salles Institute, in São Paulo, with a broad program of talks, debates, workshops, exhibitions and a photobook fair. Free entry.
FotoDoc Festival
November 2026
São Paulo, Brazil
A documentary photography festival featuring exhibitions, workshops, and competitions. The festival hosts a curated bookstore of photobooks that holds artist talks, signings, and launches. Free entry.
STGO FOTO
July 30 - August 2, 2026
Santiago, Chile
Taking place during Santiago’s Photography Month, the festival includes a book fair and programming of Latin American exhibitors.
Index Art Book Fair
CDMX, Mexico
January 14 - 17, 2027
This annual book fair organized by the gallery kurimanzutto celebrates the independent publishing scene alongside ZINDEX, a section for experimental publications. Free entry.
SUR FOTOLIBROS
May 13 - 16, 2027
Buenos Aires, Argentina
A photobook gathering in Buenos Aires, SUR FOTOLIBROS hosts international photographers, publishers, curators, and independent projects from around the world to celebrate and reflect on the photobook as a space for creation, experimentation, and visual thought. The program features book presentations, talks, workshops, screenings, exhibitions, and panel discussions.
Europe
Arles Books Fair
July 7 - 11, 2026
Arles, France
Organized by Photobook France, the Arles Books Fair presents eighty international publishing houses with a focus on photography. Book signings, launches, and panel discussions round out the programming. Free entry.
Paris Photo
November 12 - 15, 2026
Paris, France
One of the photography world’s most important events, the Book sector features photography books, limited editions, printed works, multiples and artist’s books from international publishers and dealers, selected by a committee from the world of publishing. Ticketed entry.
Offprint Paris
November 12 - 15, 2026
Paris, France
Offprint, run through the Arles based LUMA foundation, hosts fairs during both Paris Photo and Photo London, with a gamut of publishers working across the visual arts and design. Applications are posted on their website a few months before each event. Free entry.
Polycopies
November 11 - 15, 2026
Paris, France
Every year, coinciding with Paris Photo, Polycopies transforms the Concorde-Atlantique boat and the quays of the Seine in front of it, into a celebration dedicated to photography books. Over one hundred French and international publishers and booksellers are involved alongside round tables, signings, portfolio reviews and more. Free entry.
Bold, The Self-Published Photobook Weekend
January 2027
Paris, France
Organized by the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation, Bold celebrates independent editorial creation, bringing together artists, designers, and publishers, to showcase self-published books alongside installations, workshops, and talks.
Photo London
May 13 - 16, 2027
London, UK
The UK’s largest photography fair features a dedicated publishers section with over 40 exhibitors and a series of talks. Ticketed entry.
Offprint London
May 14 - 16, 2027
London, UK
Offprint, run through LUMA based in Arles, hosts fairs during both Paris Photo and Photo London, with a gamut of publishers working across the visual arts and design as well as public programming. Free entry.
A Bigger Book Fair (Peckham)
May 14 - 16, 2027
London, UK
Coinciding with PhotoLondon, Peckham24 features photography exhibitions, talks, and a photobook fair in South London. Free entry.
Glue Book Fair
September 12 - 13, 2026
London, UK
The ICA’s annual book fair brings together over 90 publishers for a weekend of artist publishing. Workshops, book launches, an exhibition, and a talks program including a discussion on the future of photobooks are on offer. Free entry.
Books on Photography
October 17 - 18, 2026
Bristol, UK
Presented every October by the Martin Parr Foundation, Books on Photography features a weekend-long book fair, exhibitions, artist talks, and book signings. Free entry.
CENTRAL Photobook Festival
October 23 - 24, 2026
Birmingham, UK
CENTRAL is an annual photobook festival held in Birmingham hosting a fair, talks, and exhibits all centered around the photobook. Free entry.
FORMAT Photobook Market
March 11 - April 11, 2027
Derby, UK
A photobook market in tandem with the FORMAT festival of contemporary photography and related media. Exhibitions, portfolio reviews, talks, and more. Free entry.
Tsundoku
April 14 - 17, 2026
Dublin, Ireland
Presented by PhotoIreland, the Tsundoku Art Book Fair takes place at the International Centre for the Image, with a programme of talks, workshops, and book launches. Free entry.
Dear Books
September 17- 20, 2026
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Accompanying Unfair, an artist-led art fair, Dear Books will present 50 publishers and art book makers from around the world. Free entry.
Unseen Photo Bookmarket
March 18-21 2027
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The Book Market hosts approximately 40 publishers, dedicated to photobooks and photography publications, during the Art Rotterdam/Unseen Photo fair. Free entry to the book market.
BLIK!
October 28 - Nov 1, 2026
Aarhus, Denmark
Combining talks, installations, and a curated list of photobooks and participating photobook stores Blik! is a festival dedicated to the photographic book as a medium of artistic creation and storytelling. Free entry.
Photobook Mania
October 3 - 4, 2026
Bologna, Italy
Held during the festival PhMuseum Days, this is a curated selection of international, independent publishers, photobook exhibitions, workshops, book presentations and more. Free entry.
Sprint Milano
Nov 27-29, 2026
Milan, Italy
An artists’ books fair featuring a wide array of programming and workshops, Sprint also organizes “spin-off” fairs and exhibitions in Milan, Turin, and beyond. Free entry.
Brussels Ass Book Fair
December 4 - 6, 2026
Brussels, Belgium
The Brussels Ass Book Fair, a sister fair to Paris Ass Book Fair (June), is dedicated to independent art publishing and hosts 70 exhibitors from Belgium and abroad. The fair gives prominent space to LGBTQIA+ participants and projects and features a program of live events, music, talks, and more. Free entry.
Miss Read Berlin
June 26 - 28, 2026
Berlin, Germany
Running since 2009, Miss Read gathers over 200 exhibitors for one of the most international gatherings in independent publishing. Free entry.
Photobook Summer
July 17 - September 22, 2026
Berlin, Germany
Photobook summer is a festival dedicated to the photobook as an artistic medium. Exhibitions, events, workshops, and the concluding ‘Photo Book Days’ – featuring book stalls, talks and presentations by international guests – will round out the festival calendar. Free entry.
Leipzig Photobook Festival
March 7- 8, 2026
Leipzig, Germany
A photobook festival organized by the non-profit dienacht e.V featuring exhibitions, project presentations, talks, and a book market of leading photograph publishers from around Europe. The Paris Photo - Aperture Photobook Award publications are on view at the festival site. Free entry.
Thousandfold Photobook Fair
September 12 - 13, 2026
Berlin, Germany
Thousandfold Photobook Fair is a self-sustaining fair that collaborates with festivals and initiatives, such as PhotoSzene Köln, to create photobook programming and support for publishers. Their next fair will be in September alongside the festival Photo Book Summer in Berlin. Free entry.
Photobooks Switzerland
April 24 - 26, 2026
Geneva, Switzerland
A photobook festival that includes workshops on narrative and bookbinding, a two-day photobook fair, an exhibition, a program of talks, and a Dummy Clinic to review and receive feedback on publications in progress. Free entry.
P.A.G.E.S
May 8 - 9, 2026
Geneva, Switzerland
P.A.G.E.S. is a platform for art and design publications, special editions, and more. Exhibitions and book launches make up the programming well as a round of Publishing Speed Dating, offering a meeting space where participants can receive critical feedback on creative projects with publication potential. Free entry.
Booklette
September 12 - 13, 2026
Vevey, Switzerland
Images Vevey and Photo Elysée’s fair features publishers from across Europe working in photography alongside signings, tours, and raclette. Free entry.
I Never Read Art Basel
June 2027
Basel, Switzerland
Accompanying the week long Art Basel Fair in Switzerland, I Never Read brings together a host of international publishers and artists for a book fair and accompanying programming, from talks and tours, to presentations and a radio station. Free entry.
Volumes Zurich Art Publishing Days
November 21 - 22, 2026
Zurich, Switzerland
Volumes is a non-profit organisation and collective organizing large and small book fair events, which showcase local and international independent publishers and artists. Within their book events, the collective hosts performances, installations, workshops, symposiums and projections, and maintains an archive of books used in exhibitions. Free entry.
Paper Photo Festival
September 18 - 20, 2026
Sosnowiec, Poland
Paper Photo Festival is an international festival based at Zamek Sielecki (Sosnowiec), which presents a book fair, lectures, launches, exhibitions, and a book dummy award. Free entry.
Vienna Art Book Fair
October 2027
Vienna, Austria
The Vienna Art Book Fair is a platform for artists, collectives, self-publishers, small publishing houses, antiquarian booksellers, art libraries, institutions, printers, and collectors. Free entry.
Athens Photo Festival
June 10 - July 26, 2026
Athens, Greece
An annual photography festival whose programme considers the conditions that shape how images are made, circulated, and interpreted in relation to the social and cultural dynamics of our time. Exhibitions, portfolio reviews, and a book program, featuring awards and an open call exhibition are cornerstones of each year’s presentation. Free entry.
Athens Art Book Fair
September 25 - 27, 2026
Athens, Greece
The Athens Art Book Fair is an artist-run initiative showcasing artist publications with a particular eye towards those produced in Greece and the Balkans region. Free entry.
Art Photo Bcn
May 9 - 10, 2026
Barcelona, Spain
An invitation only photobook market that accompanies the Art Photo Bcn festival, featuring talks, round tables, and book signings. Free entry.
Fiebre Photobook
September 18 - 20, 2026
Madrid, Spain
Fiebre Photobook is the first festival in Spain specialized in photobooks. Centered around a book market, the festival includes presentations, workshops, a book award, and talks to introduce new audiences to bookmaking. Free entry.
ArtsLibris
March 4 - 8, 2026 - Madrid, Spain
May 28 - 31, 2026 - Lisbon, Portugal
October 30 - November 1, 2026 - Barcelona, Spain
ArtsLibris is a publishing fair project specializing in artist publications, photobooks, self-publishing and digital publications. It has three annual fairs, ArtsLibris Barcelona, ArtsLibris ARCOmadrid and ArtsLibris ARCOlisboa. Free entry.
border_less ART BOOK DAYS
May 2027
Istanbul, Turkey
An annual event, border-less brings together artists, galleries, and institutions working in publication formats. A program of talks, workshops and exchanges, provides space for connection and discovery. Free entry.
Asia
Tokyo Art Book Fair
January 21 - 24 and January 29 - 31, 2027
Tokyo, Japan
Held across two weekends, the Tokyo Art Book Fair is the largest fair in Asia, and features exhibitions, artist talks, and film screenings. Free entry.
Kyotographie Photobook Fair 2026
May 9 - 10, 2026
Kyoto, Japan
Organized by the KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival and Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Books, this fair hosts over 50 publishers from Japan and beyond. The 2026 edition featured a special section for photozines. Free entry.
JJOKJI
September 4 - 6, 2026
Seoul, Korea
A book market for photobooks, zines, artbooks, and other independent media. Free entry.
Hong Kong Photobook Festival
Hong Kong
The biannual Hong Kong Photobook Festival connects photographers, artists, and a diverse range of international publishers and independent groups.The festival includes a book market, exhibitions, workshops, masterclasses, a photobook dummy award, and talks. Free entry.
UNFOLD Art Book Fairs
June 11 -14, 2026 - Shanghai
August 6 - 9, 2026 - Shenzhen
November 27 - 29, 2026 - Macau
Various cities, China
A traveling series of book fairs featuring publishers in the realms of photography, illustration, and design alongside workshops, installations, and talks. Free entry.
Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair
November 27 - 29, 2026
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair hosts individual artists, illustrators, designers, independent publishers, writers, photographers, institutions, and printmakers. The fair features programs including talks and workshops that will provide a public space for sharing, discussion, and collaboration. Free entry.
Bangkok Art Book Fair
Bangkok, Thailand
The Bangkok Art Book Fair is a biennial event for the independent and self-publishing community to exchange ideas via a book fair, exhibitions, and programming. Free entry.
Singapore Art Book Fair
August 28 - 30, 2026
Singapore
The first art book fair in Southeast Asia, the Singapore Art Book Fair brings together artists, designers, distributors, small presses, institutions, galleries, zinemakers, and printmakers. Free entry.
Focal Point
December 11 - 13, 2026
Sharjah, UAE
Hosted by the Sharjah Art Foundation, Focal Point is a non-commercial fair for creative producers, bookmakers, and artist presses. Free entry.
PaperBack Art Book Fair
November 5 - 7, 2026
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Presented by the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, the PaperBack Art Fair focuses on contemporary regional publishers, zine creators, and creative encounters. Free entry.
Chennai Photo Biennial
Chennai, India
A photo festival biennial, featuring exhibitions, talks, and an extensive workshop series with many focused sessions on publishing, narrative, and photobooks. Additionally, the biennial offices hold a reading room of photobooks. Free entry.
Australia/New Zealand
Same Page Art Book Fair
October 24 - 25, 2026
Melbourne, Australia
Same Page is a book fair for independent imprints, publishers and distributors. The fair is organized by the not-for-profit contemporary art organisation Gertrude and the publisher, bookstore, and distributor Perimeter. Free entry.
Melbourne Art Book Fair
May 20 - May 30, 2027
Melbourne, Australia
The Melbourne Art Book Fair brings together local and international publishers, artists, and designers celebrating the breadth of printed matter. A diverse slate of programming is offered from risograph workshops to book launches and archive tours. Free entry.
Ballarat International Foto Festival
August 21 - October 17, 2027
Ballarat, Australia
A biennial photography festival, Ballarat hosts exhibitions, presentations, workshops, and a Photobook Day for book launches and a book fair. Free entry.
Photobook N/Z
August 6 - 9, 2026
Wellington, New Zealand
Photobook N/Z is a national photobook festival, celebrating small press photobooks and connecting photographers, publishers and audiences. A book fair, launches, signings, and workshops accompany exhibitions. Free entry.
Africa
Tanja Book & Print Fair
August 2 - 3, 2026
Tangier, Morocco
A weekend fair for self-publishing artists, photographers, illustrators, designers, and independent publishers. Free entry.
African Art Book Fair
November 19 - 22, 2026
Dakar, Senegal
An independent publishing fair and discussion series focusing on photography, art, design, music, and activism. Free entry.
Cairo Art Book Fair
December 16–19, 2026
Cairo, Egypt
This event highlights zines, graphic design, and artist publications from across the region. Additionally, Cairo Art Book Fair tables at other fairs to bring books to international audiences. Free entry.
