Coming Soon in 2023!

Writers + Books = Connection + Community

Wordfest™ beams out from Calgary, Canada in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Treaty 7 territory. We are an entrepreneurial arts non-profit founded in 1996 as one of Canada’s leading literary festivals. Our small team’s mission (which is to connect the world’s best audiences with the world’s best authors) has evolved to include producing lively, accessible shows year-round, in addition to the fall Imaginairium Festival (coming Oct. 16-20, 2024). Our unique (and free) Wordfest Youth program focuses on Grades 5 to 12 to fuel teen literacy, providing interactive experiences and class sets of books to thousands of students every year. We also produce Imagine On Air Audio, as well as online programming. 

Our goal? To help you think bigger, dig deeper, and build meaningful relationships. Sign up for our newsletter here to become a part of the vital Wordfest community. 

April

Wordfest Presents Jane Philpott
Apr 11 @ 7 PM MT $25

Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
1221 2 St SW
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Wordfest presents former federal Minister of Health Dr. Jane Philpott and her practical and ambitious new book Health for All: A Doctor’s Prescription for a Healthier Canada. The timely, important conversation, hosted by journalist Christina Frangou, starts at 7PM MT and includes an audience Q & A and book signing, fuelled by Owl’s Nest Books. We are grateful to Penguin Random House Canada for making it possible to connect you with Jane Philpott. READ MORE
Wordfest Presents Tessa Bailey & Yulin Kuang
Apr 18 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library
800 3 Street SE
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Wordfest is bringing the heat, laughter and happily ever after with Tessa ("the Michelangelo of dirty talk") Bailey and Yulin ("too hip for Hallmark") Kuang. This exclusive, in-depth conversation, hosted by Wordfest's Creative Ringleader Shelley Youngblut, includes an audience Q & A and book signing. A Wordfest photographer will be there to take selfies with the authors that you can download after the show. Doors open at 6PM. Come early and indulge in libations from Dandy Brewing Company while you shop at the Slow Burn Books pop-up store. Can't wait to get your hands on their newest books? You can pre-order both here. And there will be a special cool treat to go with these (very) hot books, courtesy of our friends at Village Ice Cream. READ MORE
Wordfest Presents Roméo Dallaire
Apr 21 @ 1 PM MT $15 - $25

Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library
800 3 Street SE
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Wordfest is honoured to present global human rights activist General Roméo Dallaire and his new book, The Peace: A Warrior’s Journey. The conversation, hosted by Shelley Youngblut, starts at 1PM MT and includes a book signing, fueled by Owl’s Nest Books. We are grateful to Penguin Random House Canada for making it possible to connect you with General Dallaire.

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Wordfest Presents Denise Chong & Rumana Monzur
Apr 29 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
1221 2 St SW
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Acclaimed writer Denise Chong returns to Calgary with her new book, Out of Darkness, a stirring account of the journey of domestic assault victim Rumana Monzur. Wordfest is honoured to have Monzur joining Chong for this in-depth conversation about the Bangladeshi professor's ultimate triumph over the attack. The event, hosted by journalist Christina Frangou, starts at 7PM MT and includes an audience Q & A and book signing. Shelf Life Books will be on site with copies of Out of Darkness, as well as Chong's fantastic backlist. READ MORE

June

Wordfest Presents Carley Fortune
Jun 23 @ 4 PM MT $25

Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library
800 3 Street SE
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Carley Fortune is FINALLY going to be on stage in Calgary! The breakout bestselling author of Meet Me at The Lake is doing a 4PM afternoon extravaganza on Sunday, June 23 at Central Library. Your ticket includes an exclusive, in-depth conversation, hosted by Wordfest's Creative Ringleader Shelley Youngblut, as well as an audience Q & A and book signing. A Wordfest photographer will be there to take selfies with Carley that you can download after the show. READ MORE

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