Peckham 24, the acclaimed festival of contemporary photography, returns to Copeland Park in Peckham, South London, for its landmark 10th anniversary edition. Over the past decade, the festival has grown into a major cultural highlight, championing innovation while providing a global platform for emerging photographic talent.
Founded ten years ago on the fringes of Photo London by artist-curator duo Jo Dennis and Vivienne Gamble, Peckham 24 was created to spotlight rising voices in contemporary photography. Its first edition—a bold 24-hour pop-up that inspired the festival’s name—brought together emerging artists and galleries from South London’s creative community. Since then, the festival has evolved into an influential space that encourages experimentation and boundary-pushing work, supporting more than 200 artists and often providing their first opportunity to exhibit to international audiences in London.
A defining feature of the festival is the legendary Late Friday opening night, a free and inclusive event that now attracts over 2,000 visitors to Copeland Park. This vibrant launch reflects the collaborative spirit that has driven Peckham 24’s success and continues to unite artists, curators, and photography enthusiasts each year.
Reflecting on the milestone, co-founder Vivienne Gamble highlights the importance of community in shaping the festival’s journey. Peckham 24 has become not only a platform for artistic expression but also a vital meeting point where creatives connect, exchange ideas, and push the boundaries of contemporary photography.
Marking its 10th edition, titled “The Eras Edition,” Peckham 24 will explore photography through the concept of time. This year’s theme examines time as both an abstract and powerful force—shaping memory, identity, and the environment. Exhibitions will address urgent contemporary issues, from ecological transformation and its long-term impact to personal histories, nostalgia, and the enduring presence of the past in the present.
The 2026 lineup features a diverse group of artists, including Alexander Mourant, Chad Alexander, Cian Oba-Smith, Emily Graham, Eugenie Shinkle, Hashim Nasr, Jack Moyse, Julie F Hill, Kristina Yenza, MacDonald Strand, Maen Hammad, Mark Duffy, Max Ferguson, and Vinca Petersen, offering a compelling and multifaceted view of contemporary photographic practice.
Returning for its third year, A Bigger Book Fair (ABBF) will once again be a central highlight of the festival. Hosted at Unit 8 within Copeland Park, the fair will feature more than 90 tables showcasing photobook publishers, artist self-publishers, and independent magazines. Confirmed participants include 1000 Words, Chris Shaw, Dobedo, Guest Editions, HAPAX, Jane & Jeremy, The Eriskay Collection, The Photocopy Club, Tummy Ache, and WANAWAL (West African & North African Women’s Art Library), making it a must-visit destination for collectors and photography enthusiasts.
The festival will also host a special live event, The Messy Truth Live at Peckham 24, taking place on Saturday 16th May. Led by writer and podcast host Gem Fletcher, the session will feature candid conversations exploring the evolving landscape of photography and its future direction. Guest speakers include Charlotte Cotton, Vinca Petersen, Cian Oba-Smith, Max Ferguson, Amelia Abraham, and Bernice Mulenga, promising insightful and thought-provoking discussions.
In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Peckham 24 will also launch the P24 Photo x Hahnemühle Spotlight Series, a new initiative dedicated to supporting emerging talent. This programme offers selected artists the opportunity to debut new bodies of work, while gaining experience producing exhibitions using Hahnemühle’s premium paper. A nationwide open call for future Spotlight Series participants will be announced during the festival in May, reinforcing Peckham 24’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of photographers.
The full public programme of talks and events for Peckham 24 2026 will be published at the end of April, offering visitors even more opportunities to engage with one of London’s most exciting photography festivals.
© Maen Hammad. From the series, Landing
© Maen Hammad. From the series, Landing
