More Than Just a Festival
Every October, Wordfest produces The Imaginairium, Canada’s Liveliest Literary Festival. But wait, there’s more. We also present the world’s most intriguing authors (in every genre!) from January through December at our theatre in Memorial Park Library, Central Library, and Calgary’s best venues. We work with local independent booksellers and community partners to bring you illuminating, invigorating, affordable, life-affirming experiences.
If you missed out on (or would like to re-experience) a sampling of the 2025 shows that were part of our year-round 30th Anniversary Celebration, you can listen via this link to audio episodes. Thanks to our generous supporters, we are able to present Wordfest’s Imagine on Air as a free series.
Check out our upcoming shows below and discover more about the writers and their books, which can be picked up onsite at our pop-up bookstores. Our shows sell out quickly, so act fast!
"It's the Perfect Night Out"
“The access and Intimacy that Wordfest allows isn’t captured anywhere else.”
Video by Pluto Pictures.
Our Year-Round Shows
January
February
We’ve been trying to entice Chris Kraus to Calgary for a decade. And we’re not alone in our excitement about her new book, The Four Spent The Day Together, which The New Yorker describes as “reinventing the true crime novel.” Rachel Kushner, Rick Moody, and Eileen Myles added their praise. Writes Colm Toibin, “This is a novel of the American moment by a writer whose antennae are attuned to subtle connections and strange crosscurrents.”
The conversation, hosted by Wordfest’s Creative Ringleader Shelley Youngblut, will include an audience Q&A and book signing, fuelled by Shelf Life Books. Pre-order The Four Spent The Day Together here for pickup at the show.
March
Join Wordfest for a critically important and timely conversation about the crisis in our health care system with emergency room doctor Brian Goldman (CBC’s White Coat, Black Art). The bestselling expert’s new book is The Casino Shift: Stories from an ER on the Edge—providing transformative insights into the challenges of Canada’s version of The Pitt.
The conversation, hosted by award-winning health journalist Christina Frangou, will include an audience Q&A and book signing, fuelled by Owl’s Nest Books. You can pre-order The Casino Shift for pickup at the show, along with Dr. Goldman’s compelling backlist, here.
Thank You to Our Public Funders
Founding Partner
Community Supporters
