A guide to Canadian literary festivals

If you want to celebrate writers, these are the events you should know about.

The festivals listed here are only a sampling of what the Canadian literary community has to offer.Do you know of a literary festival that should be on our list? Email us at cbcbooks@cbc.ca.

Alberta|British Columbia |Manitoba|New Brunswick|Newfoundland & Labrador|Northwest Territories |Nova Scotia|Ontario|Quebec|Saskatchewan|Yukon

Alberta

Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Where: Banff
What it's about:North America's largest mountain festival,withfirsthand tales of record-breaking ascents, remote journeys and expeditions from the people who lived it: authors, photographers, filmmakers, and adventurers from around the globe.
When: Oct.28-Nov.5, 2023

Edmonton Poetry Festival
Where: Edmonton
What it's about:A celebration of poetry and spoken word,featuring a wide range of artists and poetic styles.
When:April 22-30, 2023

Imaginarium Festival by Wordfest
Where: Calgary
What it's about: Connecting Calgariansand now the rest of the world with life-changing ideas through events and shows featuring the world's best authors.
When: Oct, 11-15, 2023

LitFestAlberta
Where:Edmonton
What it's about:A festival celebrating nonfiction featuring author panels, readings, live performances and writing workshops.
When: Oct. 12-22, 2023

People's Poetry Festival
Where: Calgary
What it's about:An interactive festival that provides a creative introduction to poetry for the curious and seeks to make poetry accessible to all.
When: March 31 to April 2, 2023

St. Albert Readers Festival (STARFest)
Where: St. Albert
What it's about:An annual celebration of writing, writers and reading .
When:Sept. 24 to Nov. 1, 2023

The Word On The Street
Where:Lethbridge
What it's about:A celebration of reading and writing with author events, presentations, workshops and a marketplace featuringCanadian books and magazines.
When:Sept. 23, 2023

When Words Collide
Where: Calgary
What it's about:A festival that brings readers and writers together for informational, educational and social activities covering a wide variety of genres.
When: Aug. 16-18, 202

British Columbia

Art & WordsFestival
Where:Gibsons Public Market, Gibsons
What it's about:Local artists, photographers, and authors of the Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society are paired together to prompt each other's creativity, resulting in stunning art and inspired accompanying literary works. There are interviews with the teams onstage, literary readings, an art exhibit, book and art sales, plus art and writers' workshops. The highlight of the Festival is the SCWES Book Awards for BC Authors contest awards ceremony with readings from prize-winning authors.
When:August 8-11, 2024

DenmanIsland Readers and Writers Festival
Where:DenmanIsland
What it's about: A festival that brings readers and writers together with readings, panel discussions and workshops.
When: July 20-23, 2023

Elephant Mountain Literary Festival
Where:Nelson
What it's about:A festival that features readings and discussion panels with Canadian authors.
When:Sept. 11-17, 2023

Growing Room Festival
Where: Vancouver
What it's about:A feminist literary festival that celebrates diverse Canadian writers and artists.
When:Hopes to return in 2024

LiterAsian
Where:Vancouver
What it's about:A festival that celebrates the works of Asian Canadian writers and artists with readings, panel discussions and workshops.
When:May 4-27, 2023

North Shore Writers Festival
Where: Vancouver
What it's about: A celebration of Canadian literature featuring a local author's book fair, a literary trivia night and readings.
When:April 27-29, 2023

Sidney Literary Festival
Where: Sidney
What it's about: A festival bringing together readers and writers through a variety of programming.
When: April 3-5, 2025

Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts
Where:Sechelt
What it's about:A festival that connectsreaders with Canadian writers.
When:Aug. 17-20, 2023

Vancouver Writers Fest
Where:Vancouver
What it's about:A celebration of authors, poets, spoken word performers and graphic novelists through readings, forums and discussions.
When:Oct. 16-22, 2023

Verses Festival of Words
Where: Vancouver
What it's about:A celebration of words with cutting-edge live performances by writers and performers.
When:April 20-29, 2023

Victoria Festival of Authors
Where:Victoria
What it's about:A festival bringing together readers and writers through readings, discussion panels and workshops to develop their own craft.
When:Oct. 11-15, 2023

Whistler Writers Festival
Where:Whistler
What it'sabout:The program includes short seminars, a workshop series for new and emerging writers on various topics of craft, panel discussions, reading events for the general public and a literary cabaret combining music and readings.
When:Oct. 12-16, 2023

Word on the Lake Writers' Festival
Where: Salmon Arm
What it's about:All levels of writers can network with other writers plus readers. The festival provides an opportunity to learn from, and meet with, some of Canada's very successful authors.
When:May 17-19, 2024

Word Vancouver
Where:Vancouver (Virtual)
What it's about:A celebration of writing and reading featuring bothinternational andCanadian authors.
When:Sept. 8-23, 2023

Words on the Water
Where:Campbell River
What it's about:A festival celebrating reading and writing withpanel discussions, readings and a literary cabaret.
When:March 8-9, 2024

Manitoba

ThinAir
Where: Winnipeg
What it's about:A festival curated by the Winnipeg International Writers Festival that highlightswriters from Canada and around the world featuringreadings, lectures, interviews and panel discussions.
When:Sept. 20-Oct. 18, 2023

New Brunswick

Frye Festival
Where: Moncton
What it's about: A bilingual festival that brings together authors, poets and playwrights from around the world for debates, readings andworkshops.
When:April 19-28, 2024 (25th Edition)

Word Feast
Where: Fredericton
What it's about:A bilingual festival thatincludes author visits to schools,panels,workshopsand readings by local and national writers.
When: October 2023

WordSpring
Where:Quispamsis
What it's about: A festival that offers writing workshops, readings by national and local authors, book launches, open mic sessions and networking opportunities.
When: June2-4, 2023

Newfoundland & Labrador

Ochre Fest
Where: Ochre Pit Cove
What it's about: An annual celebration of Newfoundland and Labrador books, music, art, food and culture.
When:July 7-9, 2023

Winterset in Summer Literary Festival
Where:Eastport
What it's about: A festival featuring drama, music and the visual arts withnational and international stars for interviews with writers.
When:Aug. 11-13, 2023

Writers at Woody Point
Where: Woody Point
What it's about:A festival that features musical performances by acclaimed musicians with a mix of author readings and other arts events.
When: Aug.15-20, 2023

Northwest Territories

NorthWords
Where: Yellowknife
What it's about: Several events for writers, visiting authors and community members including panel discussions and writing workshops for all ages.
When: May 31 toJune 5, 2023

Nova Scotia

AfterWords Literary Festival
Where:Halifax
What it's about:Writers and readers meet at a multi-day festival that includes readings, on stage conversations, panel discussions, workshops, programmingfor kids and teens, and celebratory events.
When:Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, 2023

LunenburgLit Festival
Where: Lunenburg
What it's about:The festival highlights writers and local stories, is a fun, relaxed environment with discussion panels and readings. Authors, performers, podcasters come and talk about literature.
When: Sept. 13-15, 2024

Port Medway Readers' Festival
Where: Port Medway
What it's about:This literary festival is an opportunity for readers to listen to and meet writers in an informal and friendly fishing village setting.
When: July 15, July 29 and Aug. 5, 2023

Read by the Sea Literary Festival
Where: River John
What it's about:A literary festival bringing Canadian authors and poets to Nova Scotia's rural North Shore.
When: July 6-8, 2023

The Cabot Trail Writers Festival
Where:Cape Breton
What it's about:A celebration ofreaders, writers and literature withreadings, workshops, panel discussions and music.
When: Oct 4-6, 2024

Ontario

Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story
Where: Wingham
What it's about:An annual literary festival that honours Alice Munro and nurtures emerging writers through workshops and onstage presentations that celebrate the short story.
When: June 2-4, 2023

BookFestWindsor
Where:Windsor
What it's about:A book fair that includes panels, discussions, readings, meet-and-greets and conversations with authors.
When:Oct. 12-15, 2023

EdenMills Writers Festival
Where:Eden Mills
What it's about:A festival that highlights readings from some of Canada's finest writers and exciting new talents.
When:Sept. 8-10, 2023

Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD)
Where:Brampton
What it's about:A festival where readers can engage with experienced artists who reflect diversity and how it plays a fundamental role in our local and national identity throughreadings, performances, panels, discussions and professional development workshops.
When:April 28 to May 5, 2024

gritLITFestival
Where:Hamilton
What it's about:Annual four-day celebration of Canadian authors featuring a series of readings and themed events.The festival also holds readings at local schools including French language presentations.
When:April 19-23, 2023

Kingston Writers Fest
Where:Kingston
What it's about:A five-dayfestival with approximately 50 events, hosting some 70 authors. The festival offers author readings, interviews and discussions, writers' studio master classes, food and beverage events, and more.
When:Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2023

LakefieldLiterary Festival
Where:Peterborough
What it's about:A festival that celebrates Canadian authors featuring readings and events for children and adults.
When:July 19-20, 2024

Ottawa International Writers Festival
Where:Ottawa
What it's about:A festival that celebrates reading and writing through workshops, school events, interviews and panel discussions.
When:Fall Oct. 25-29, 2023 /Spring May 2-5, 2024

Prince Edward County Reads Authors Festival
Where:Picton
What it's about:A series ofreadings, panel discussions and book signings that celebrate Canadian literature while focusing on emerging writers.
When:April 20-22, 2023

Telling Tales Festival
Where: Rockton
What it's about:A festival that promotes children's stories and a love of reading, while raising awareness and support for literacy projects.
When: Sept. 16-17, 2023

The Word On The Street
Where:Toronto
What it's about:A celebration of reading and writing with author events, presentations, workshops and a marketplace featuringCanadian books and magazines.
When:May 27-28, 2023

TorontoInternational Festival of Authors
Where:Toronto
What it's about:A festival featuring Canadian and international authors with readings, interviews, panel discussions, special events and interactive presentations.
When:Sept. 21 to Oct. 1, 2023

VerseFest
Where:Ottawa
What it's about:A bilingual festival featuringpoetry of all traditions, stylesand forms from local, Canadian and international poets.
When:March 18-26, 2023

Wild Writers Literary Festival
Where: Waterloo
What it's about:A festival where writers and readers come face-to-face.
When:Oct. 27-29, 2023

WordstockSudbury Literary Festival
Where:Sudbury
What it's about:A festival featuring readings and panelswith authors, poets, playwrights, screenwriters and songwriters.
When: Nov. 2-4, 2023

1000 Islands Writers Festival
Where:Gananoque
What it's about:A celebrationof Canadian authorsfeaturingliving room sessions, panel discussions, workshops, meal engagements and sessions for seniors living in assisted care.
When: April 14, 2023

Quebec

Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival
Where: Montreal
What it's about: A multilingual festival featuring Canadian and international authors withreadings, interviewsand panel discussions.
When: April 25-28, 2024

imagiNation Writers' Festival
Where: Quebec City
What it's about:A variety of literary events such as readings, discussions and book signings will allow you to meet your favourite writers and discover emerging artists.
When:April 11-16, 2023

Knowlton Literary Festival
Where: Knowlton
What it's about:A festival celebrating the work of English-language writers from Quebec and across Canada. The program featuresfeatures workshops, events on local history, readings by and interviews with writers.
When:Oct.12-14,2023

Kwahiatonhk!
Where:Quebec City
What it's about:Annual festival that celebrates Indigenous writers and editors.
When:Nov. 14-17, 2024

Mois de la posie (Poetry Month)
Where:Quebec
What it's about:Annual celebration of QuebecPoetry Month.
When:May 2024

MTL YA Fest
Where: Montreal
What it's about:Young adult book festival, their goal is to connect teens with their favourite authors through panel talks, discussions, games, etc.
When: TBA 2024

Quebec en toutes lettres
Where:Quebec City
What it's about:Annual festival that celebrates Quebec writers and editors.
When:Oct. 12-22, 2023

Read Quebec Book Fair
Where: Montreal
What it's about:Annual festival that celebrates Quebec's English-language publishers and writers.
When:Nov. 3-4, 2023

Salon International du livre de Qubec
Where:Quebec City
What it's about:Annual festival that celebrates Quebec writers and editors.
When:April 10-14, 2024

Salon du livre de Montral
Where:Montreal
What it's about:Annual festival that celebrates Quebec writers and editors.
When:Nov.2024

Wakefield Writers Festival des crivains La Pche
Where:Wakefield
What it's about: A bilingual festival that showcases local and national francophone, anglophone and Indigenous literary talent.
When: May 24-28, 2023

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Festival of Words
Where:Moose Jaw
What it's about:A festivalthat holds workshops for all ages. It also features readings, concerts, film, panel discussions, interviews, music, theatre and a slam poetry competition.
When: July 18-21,2024

The Word On The Street
Where: Saskatoon
What it's about:A celebration of reading and writing with author events, presentations, workshops and a marketplace featuringCanadian books and magazines.
When: Sept. 17, 2023

Yukon

Yukon Writers Festival
Where: Whitehorse
What it's about:A literary festival produced by Yukon Public Libraries, Public School Branch and Yukon Science Institute.
When: May 1-6, 2023