Canada’s literary scene is as vast and diverse as its landscape, offering a year-round calendar of literary events that celebrate the written word in all its forms. From the rugged coastlines of the Atlantic to the bustling cities of the central provinces and the serene landscapes of the west, each Canadian literary and book festival brings its unique flavor to the table, uniting readers, writers, and literature enthusiasts from across the globe. In 2024, the array of Canadian literary and book festivals promises to be more engaging and inclusive than ever, showcasing not only the country’s rich literary heritage but also highlighting the emerging voices shaping the future of Canadian literature. This article offers authors, poets and readers a comprehensive guide to 50 literary festivals that celebrate Canadian literature, storytelling, and the arts.
February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November
February
MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival
Feb 27, 2024 – Feb 28, 2024
Canada Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa, Ontario
“The festival features an award winning line-up of Canadian authors and illustrators. Students in grades four to eight are invited to sign up for one or two days of literary activities including artist presentations and hands-on master classes, working with a professional author or illustrator of their choice.”
March
Words on the Water Campbell River Writers’ Festival
March 6-8, 2024
Campbell River, British Columbia
“Words on the Water is a festival where contemporary writers and readers meet in a beautiful west coast setting.”
Versefest
March 21-24, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa’s International Poetry Festival
“…draws together groups, organizations, and individuals actively involved in the poetic arts to sustain and promote poetry in all its forms in the National Capital Region.”
April
Blue Metropolis Festival
Online starting April 14, 2024
In-person from April 25 to April 28, 2024
Montreal, Quebec
2024 Theme: Dreams & Utopias
“Brings together people from different cultures to share the pleasures of reading and writing, and encourages creativity and intercultural understanding.”
grit LIT
April 17-21, 2024
Hamilton, Ontario
Readers and Writers Festival
Margaret Atwood appearing at Theatre Aquarius on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. ❤️
“gritLIT brings together diverse voices – the biggest Canadian authors, up and coming talent, and local Hamilton writers – in a series of readings and themed events.”
The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD)
April 28 – May 5
Brampton, Ontario and Online
Celebrating diverse authors and storytellers.
“Our mission is to create a vibrant community of readers and writers by celebrating diverse authors and literature in Brampton, Ontario – one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities.”
Verses Festival of Words
April 18-27, 2024
Vancouver, British Columbia
“Our theme in 2024 is Learning and Remembering Together. All the artists curated for the 2024 festival are outstanding spoken word artists who are also committed to education and mentorship.”
Frye Festival
April 17-28, 2024
Fredericton, New Brunswick
“The Frye Festival is Atlantic Canada’s biggest literary happening.”
County Reads Authors Festival
April 18-20, 2024
Prince Edward County, Ontario
“…featuring readings and discussions by authors…”
North Shore Writers Festival
April Timeframe
Vancouver, British Columbia
“Nestled between the towering, white-capped North Shore mountains and the deep blue waters of the Burrard Inlet, the North Shore Writers Festival brings Canadian authors and readers together to celebrate Canadian literature.”
May
The Ottawa International Writers Festival
May 2-5, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
Spring Festival
“The imagination is our most valuable renewable resource. So, twice a year we convene an international celebration of ideas to recharge our imaginations.”
Northwords Writers Festival
May 30-June 2, 2024
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
“Throughout this 4-day festival, participants, writers, visiting authors and community members will be able to take part in several events, workshops, and panels. ”
Wakefield Writers Festival
May timeframe
Wakefield, Quebec
“Writers Fete is one of the most anticipated cultural and literary events in the region. We work purposefully to build a linguistically diverse program that showcases local and national francophone, anglophone, ethnic and indigenous literary talent.”
The Word on the Street
May Timeframe
Toronto, Ontario
“…the public is invited to participate in hundreds of author events, presentations, workshops, and to browse a marketplace that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you’ll find anywhere.”
WordSpring
May Timeframe
Quispamsis, New Brunswick
“WordSpring is [the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick’s] main annual writing festival, and takes place in late May or early June.”
June
Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story
June 5 – 9, 2024
Wingham, Ontario
“Our mission is to nurture emerging writers and to celebrate short stories in the landscape that inspired Alice Munro.”
July
Ochre Fest
July 5-7, 2024
Lakefield Ochre Pit Cove, Newfoundland
“Ochre Fest is an annual celebration of Newfoundland and Labrador books, music, art, food and culture.”
Lakefield Literary Festival
July 19 – 20, 2024
Lakefield Ontario
“The Lakefield Literary Festival showcases Canadian authors and promotes the joy of reading and writing among children and adults.”
Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival
July 19-21, 2024
Denman Island, British Columbia
The Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival is to bring together readers and writers in a friendly and informal setting that provides opportunities for the intermingling of guest writers and their audiences. The aim is to include a broad diversity of writers in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and genre with a particular focus on emerging writers and writers of Indigenous ancestry.
Port Medway Readers’ Festival
July Timeframe
Port Medway, Nova Scotia
“Founded in 2002 by Cynthia Wine and Philip Slayton, the Port Medway Readers’ Festival is an opportunity for readers to listen to and meet writers in an informal and friendly village setting. The Festival continues the tradition of the Tennysonian Reading Circle, started by the ladies of Port Medway in 1903.”
Read by the Sea Literary Festival
July Timeframe
River John, Nova Scotia
“A local, rural literary festival… to promote and foster appreciation for outstanding Canadian writing and literature.”
Festival of Words
July Timeframe
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
“The festival showcases literary talent from all over Canada including many award winners. Over the 4 days of the festival we have workshops for all ages, reading sessions, concerts, film, panel discussions, interviews, music, theatre, and even a slam poetry competition!”
August
Winterset in Summer Literary Festival
August 9-11
Sechelt, British Columbia
“Winterset In Summer will continue the tradition of honouring the written word and arts and culture in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts
August 15-18
Sechelt, British Columbia
“Join Canada’s longest running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers, featuring established literary stars and exciting, new voices…”
When Words Collide
August 16-18, 2024
Calgary, Alberta
“A festival for readers, writers, artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, Childrens’ books, and Poetry.”
Writers at Woody Point
August 20-25, 2024
Woody Point, Newfoundland
“Our festival features an amazing group of writers from Newfoundland, the rest of Canada, and abroad.”
September
Lunenburg Lit Festival
September 13-15, 2024
Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
“The Lunenburg Lit Festival is a celebration of storytelling on the South Shore. There’s no better way to get inside a storyteller’s head than have them read to you. We’re very excited to be one of the only live and in person literary events of the season.”
Kingston Writers Festival
September 25-29, 2024
Kingston, Ontario
“Through readings, performance, onstage discussion and master classes, Kingston WritersFest fosters intellectual and emotional growth on a personal and community level and raises the profile of reading and literary expression in our community.”
Telling Tales Festival
September Timeframe
Hamilton, Ontario
“Our story begins, as many stories do, with an idea. The simple idea was to create a festival where children and the books they love were the main attraction. A festival where homegrown Canadian authors, illustrators, and storytellers would be spotlighted and given the opportunity to connect with fans and new audiences.”
Elephant Mountain Literary Festival
September Timeframe
Nelson, British Columbia
“We’re a big-hearted event in a small-town setting: a readers’ and writers’ festival named for the mountain that overlooks beautiful Nelson, British Columbia.”
Eden Mills Writers Festival
September Timeframe
Banks of the Eramosa River, Eden Mills, Ontario
“Audiences of several thousand now come to the Festival each year from near and far to enjoy the unique mix of bucolic surroundings, great literature, and relaxed ambiance.”
Thin Air: Winnipeg International Writers Festival
September Timeframe
Winnipeg, Manitoba
“Each September, the Winnipeg International Writers Festival welcomes writers from Canada and around the world for a week of readings, lectures, interviews, conversations, book launches, and other events.”
LiterASIAN Writers Festival
September Timeframe
Toronto, Ontario
“The first of its kind within Canada, the festival’s purpose is to promote and celebrate the works of Asian Canadian writers and artists…”
October
Cabot Trail Writers Festival
October 4-6, 2024
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
“Join fellow book-lovers for an event-packed weekend of laughter and up-close conversation with your favourite authors.”
Wordfest Imaginarium Festival
October 16-20, 2024
Calgary, Alberta
“Wordfest sparks lively, illuminating and meaningful conversations between Calgary’s readers and the world’s most engaging writers.”
Knowlton Literary Festival
October 17-19, 2024
Knowlton, Quebec
“Since its birth, more than a decade ago, the Knowlton Literary Festival has attracted hundreds of great writers, from poets, to playwrights, from writers of fiction and non-fiction, crime fiction (Yes!!) and books for youth. Thousands have traveled to Quebec, to enjoy the beautiful setting and stimulating conversations.”
Whistler Writers Festival
October 17-20, 2024
Whistler, British Columbia
“From its inception the group has promoted the literary arts, provided a forum for local writers to develop their craft within the community, and sponsored literary events for readers and writers alike…”
International Festival of Authors
October 19-24, 2024
Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario
“Engage with the literature of our times, explore the world of books and get acquainted with the authors and their ideas… this Toronto writers conference is packed with readings, one-on-one interviews, thought-provoking panel discussions, special events and free book signings.”
Vancouver Writers Fest
October 21-27, 2024
Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia
“Words shape our worlds. They can delight, inspire, provoke, comfort and unite—as do the authors, journalists and poets who wield them.”
The Ottawa International Writers Festival
October 23-27, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
“From politics to poetry, science to music, history to thrillers, we celebrate the full diversity of the word and the gifted writers who guide us in our exploration of the world.”
Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Oct. 26 – Nov. 3, 2024
Banff, Alberta
“[Featuring] adventurers, authors, and filmmakers sharing their stories; epic films from around the world; the Festival Marketplace with the new Rab Stage with free presentations; happy hours with music; downtown and partner events, mountain art exhibitions; and much more!”
Victoria Festival of Authors
October Timeframe
Victoria, British Columbia
“Our annual festival is a celebration of ideas to recharge our imaginations. From politics to poetry, science to music, history to thrillers, we celebrate the richness of Canada’s literary community, and are passionate about providing a welcoming, respectful and comfortable environment for all.”
Stratford Writers Festival
October Timeframe
Stratford, Ontario
“Featuring award-winning international and Canadian authors, emerging Canadian and local writers.”
Surrey International Writers Conference
October Timeframe
Surrey, British Columbia
“From beginning writer to widely published, this is the place to hone your skills, learn more about markets and network future sales.”
Appetite for Words
October Timeframe
Stratford, Ontario
“A literary festival with a culinary twist.”
Bookfest Windsor
October Timeframe
Capitol Theatre, Windsor, Ontario
“We provide book lovers with awesome literary experiences and give readers an up-close-and personal connection to their new and forever favourite books and stories.”
LitFest
October Timeframe
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada’s Original Nonfiction Festival
“LitFest is a celebration, a moveable feast of nonfiction. At LitFest, books about real life come off the page. Avid readers connect with writers through a series of live events, great conversations, and exciting gatherings for 11 days every October in Edmonton, AB.”
November
Wordstock
November 1-3, 2024
Sudbury, Ontario
“Wordstock Sudbury is Northern Ontario’s premier literary festival for readers, writers and lovers of words.”
Afterwords Literary Festival
November 2-10, 2024
Halifax, Nova Scotia
“Our sustainable festival offers accessible year-round programming and opportunities, in order to foster a love of words, books, and stories; to develop aspiring writers of all ages and communities, especially those historically underserved; and to inspire people of all communities to read, learn, and create.”
Wild Writers Festival
November Timeframe
Waterloo, Ontario
“Join us for a celebration of the savage and free and its expression in poetry, the short story, and everything in between. Create, learn, discover and share the art of groundbreaking writing.”
Whether you’re a lifelong bibliophile, an aspiring author, poet, or someone who cherishes the communal joy of literary and book festivals, this guide to 50 Canadian literary events in 2024 is your portal to the heart of Canada’s literary world. Join us as we celebrate the stories that bind us, the authors who inspire us, and the literary and book festivals that bring us together in a shared love for literature.
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