PolaCon Bay Area 2026

The Instant Film Society is a 501c3 arts organization founded in 2012 to increase awareness, accessibility, and understanding of analog instant film photography.

Instant Film Society

PolaCon Bay Area returns March 13-15, 2026! Join a 3-day instant film celebration featuring workshops, photowalks, demos, and community fun.

Thee Parkside

The world's first (and only?) three-day instant film conference returns to the Bay Area in March 2026! PolaCon Bay Area (March 13-15, 2026) is the ultimate 3-day instant film photography festival. Join us in SF for immersive workshops, guided photowalks, artist talks, and gear demos. Whether a pro or enthusiast, come celebrate, learn, and connect with the instant film community. (There's even a special Day 0 adventure!) PolaCon Bay Area takes place at multple locations. Please read the schedule carefully! Here's the full schedule:3/12: Day Zero11am: Rosie the Riveter park and museum.<ul><li>Meet at San Francisco Ferry Building in front under the clock tower no later than 10:45am, then take 11:20am ferry to Richmond.</li><li><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/c5NZc4jr89zWpyq87" title="https://maps.app.goo.gl/c5NZc4jr89zWpyq87" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://maps.app.goo.gl/c5NZc4jr89zWpyq87</a></li></ul>3:40pm: Return from Richmond<ul><li>Tiki Bar Happy Hour Early Bird Welcome Party (Location soon!)</li></ul> 3/13:Day 1 of 3ALL-DAY: Our sponsors <a href="https://www.glasskeyphoto.com" title="https://www.glasskeyphoto.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Glass Key Photo</a> will be open all day 12pm-6pm for you to stock up on film and whatever other camera-related shopping you need. <ul><li>1230 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109</li></ul>12pm - 3pm: Mission Photowalk: Lee's Launderette to Harvey Milk Photo Center<ul><li>Meet at Lee's Launderette. 16th &amp; Albion.</li><li>Instant Film Group Exhibition, "When the Moment Presents Itself"</li></ul>2pm: Arrive at Photowalk ending spot: Harvey Milk Photo Center, 50 Scott St, San Francisco, CA 94117.<ul><li>If you can't make the whole photo walk, feel free to just meet us at Harvey Milk Photo Center between 2-3pm.</li></ul>3pm - 5pm: Choose Your Own Adventure Lunch Break5pm-6pm: Meetup at Camera West.<ul><li>120 Maiden Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108</li></ul>6pm - 10pm: Formal PolaCon Bay Area 2026 Welcome Party<ul><li>111 Minna St, San Francisco, CA 94105</li></ul>10pm - ???: Still want more instant film fun? We'll have an after party at a special location to be named soon. 3/14: Day 2 of 3ALL DAY: Thee Parkside.1600 17th St, San Francisco, CA 9410710am - 12pm: PolaWalk from Oracle Park to Thee Parkside<ul><li>Meet at: Arsicault Bakery, 1070 Bridgeview, San Francisco, CA 94158</li></ul>12pm - 6pm: MAIN EVENT:<ul><li>Workshop topics include:</li><li>Tintype Demo</li><li>How to shoot sports on instant film</li><li>Cyanotypes</li><li>"New Land Camera" Demo</li><li>Model 95 Camera Demo</li><li>Nons Instant Square Back Demo</li><li>365 Day, 365 Ways: Doing a 365 Project on Instant Film</li><li>And a<a href="https://youtu.be/aCeEejASfgY?si=OFXu4tdi9aIqi8QQ" title="https://youtu.be/aCeEejASfgY?si=OFXu4tdi9aIqi8QQ" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> demo with a 20x24 Polaroid Camera</a>!!!</li></ul>6pm - 8pm - Choose Your Own Adventure Dinner Break8pm - 11pm - Detour Bar<ul><li>Snacks, Drinks, Arcade Games, Pinball, etc.</li><li>2200A Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114</li></ul> 3/15: Day 3 of 3NOON: Meetup At The Ferry Building (Ferry to Oakland departs at 12:50!)<ul><li>1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105</li></ul>1pm - 5pm: East Bay PolaWalk<ul><li>Led by <a href="https://www.ebpco.org/" title="https://www.ebpco.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">East Bay Photo Collective</a></li></ul>5:00pm: Ferry Back To San Francisco (Don't miss it!)5:30pm - 7:30pm: Happy Hour at House Of Shields<ul><li>39 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105</li></ul>7:30pm - ???: The Mint<ul><li>Karaoke!!!</li><li>1942 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102</li></ul> What your 3-day pass gets you: Instant Film Society is a registered 501c3 dedicated to informing and promoting the art of instant film photography. Your pass supports our efforts AND supports the instant film community and various entities in the Bay Area, supports the resources necessary to put on PolaCon Bay Area (road closure, facilities rental, etc.), and ensures the future of PolaCon. Plus, you get a special poster and swag bag! Thank you for your support! PolaCon Bay Area is a Rain Or Shine Event! It also takes place across multiple venues on different days. Please read the schedule carefully! Want to present or lead a workshop at PolaCon? <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejy31NaMTldfVwC1Ny16oUS0HQrAscKa9t8sy80_uhZpI10w/viewform" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejy31NaMTldfVwC1Ny16oUS0HQrAscKa9t8sy80_uhZpI10w/viewform" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Register today</a>! Have a zine to sell? Personal crafts or other products to sell? Sign up to be a vendor at our <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfI4PvtkYSv4GD1HJF-xxngZD1elPPgfr6xMmOMA04yYRmkEw/viewform" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfI4PvtkYSv4GD1HJF-xxngZD1elPPgfr6xMmOMA04yYRmkEw/viewform" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Zines &amp; Things</a> swap meet! Want to help PolaCon? Want to attend for free? <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBEnPaxPnEIOeKSXcZp7dIM_CI7q6HMe7W60uVukJgqs5J6w/viewform" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBEnPaxPnEIOeKSXcZp7dIM_CI7q6HMe7W60uVukJgqs5J6w/viewform" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sign up to volunteer </a>for a single 3-hour volunteer shift! One volunteer shift = a 3-day pass! SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Are you a student? Are you facing financial hardship? Unable to volunteer? NO ONE should miss PolaCon due to not affording a ticket. Thanks to our sponsors, we have a limited number of scholarships available. Send us an email with "Scholarship" in the subject line and we'll be happy to work with you. Thanks to our sponsors: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/InstantFilmSociety" title="https://www.instagram.com/InstantFilmSociety" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@InstantFilmSociety</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sfinstantphotowalk" title="https://www.instagram.com/sfinstantphotowalk" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@sfinstantphotowalk</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theeparkside" title="https://www.instagram.com/theeparkside" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@theeparkside</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/leeslaunderette/" title="https://www.instagram.com/leeslaunderette/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@leeslaunderette</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/underdogfilmlab" title="https://www.instagram.com/underdogfilmlab" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@underdogfilmlab</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/glasskeyphoto" title="https://www.instagram.com/glasskeyphoto" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@glasskeyphoto</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eastbayphotocollective" title="https://www.instagram.com/eastbayphotocollective" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@eastbayphotocollective</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/leicastoresf" title="https://www.instagram.com/leicastoresf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@leicastoresf</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/polaroid/" title="https://www.instagram.com/polaroid/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@polaroid</a>Poster Art by <a href="https://sleepycrowstudios.com" title="https://sleepycrowstudios.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sleepy Crow Studios</a>

Day 1

Meet at Lee's Launderette. 16th & Albion. Walk to Harvey Milk Photo Center
View Instant Film Group Exhibition, "When the Moment Presents Itself" before we start. 

Mission Photowalk

The Mission Photowalk winds down at our end point, The Harvey Milk Photo Center. If you can't make the entire photo walk, feel free to just meet us there between 2-3pm. 50 Scott St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Gather at Harvey Milk Center

Choose Your Own Adventure Lunch Break

Get a little shopping in at PolaCon Bay Area partner Camera West!

Meetup at Camera West

Meet us at 11 Minna  (111 Minna St, San Francisco, CA 94105) for the opening bash! There will be entertainment, beverages, and a pop-up instant film exhibition!

PolaCon Bay Area 2026 Welcome Party

Day 2

For you early risers, we'll meet at Oracle Park  for a PolaWalk and make our way to Thee Parkside for the main, full-day event. Meet at: Arsicault Bakery at, 1070 Bridgeview, San Francisco, CA 94158.

PolaWalk from Oracle Park to Thee Parkside

Get ready for the PolaCon Bay Area Zines & Things, Instant Photography Demos and Workshops, Artist talks, & more! You must have a ticket to attend, and they will be available on-site pending sell out. 

MAIN POLACON BAY AREA EVENT

We let you loose for a dinner break. Catch up with friends, old and new! Look at your photos you took earlier! Get off your feet for a while! We'll meet you afterwards at Detour!

Choose Your Own Adventure Dinner Break

Need more food? Want to show off your pinball skills? Meet us at Detour Bar for an evening of video games! 

Detour Bar

Day 3

1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105. Meet us around Noon to grab a bite and some coffee and enjoy the beautiful Ferry Building before we head over to Oakland. The ferry leaves at 12:50pm SHARP, so don't miss it!

Meet At Ferry Building

We'll gather near Oakland for the big Sunday photo walk, led by our friends with the East Bay Photo Collective. We'll gather back at the Ferry to head back to SF at 5pm. Don't miss the boat!

East Bay PolaWalk

It's been a long weekend. Join us after our big Oakland photo walk to relax as the stately House Of Shields (39 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105). 

Happy Hour at House Of Shields

It's a PolaCon Bay Area tradition! For those who just aren't ready for the fun to end or have a special song to share, we'll head to The Mint (1942 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102) for karaoke. 

Karaoke At The Mint

Polaroid Presents: PolaCon NYC 2026

26 Bridge St

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PolaCon Bay Area 2026

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