HOW TO IMAGINAIRIUM
Festival Venues
Wordfest, Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
1221 2ND STREET SW, Calgary
Alexander Calhoun Salon, Memorial Park Library, 1st Floor
1221 2ND STREET SW, Calgary
DJD Dance Centre
111 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary
Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library
800 3 St SE, Calgary
The District at Beltline Private Dining Room
(enter via Food Court)
227 11 Ave SW, Calgary
Land Acknowledgement
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6, and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
Parking – Memorial Park Library
The Memorial Park Library is located at 1221 2 Street SW. Parking is available on the surrounding streets and public parking lots. A list of City of Calgary parking locations can be found here. Looking to park between festival venues? Hotel Arts is located at 119 12 Ave SW and offers convenient, covered parking, details of which can be found here.
Elevator Access – Memorial Park Library
Elevator access is available from the ground level via the exterior doors on the north-west corner of the building (please ring the Wordfest buzzer for assistance). There is also a drop-off location for individuals with reduced mobility accessible via a driveway to the building off 12 Avenue SW (Drop-Offs Only. No Parking).
Parking – DJD Dance Centre
The DJD Dance Centre is located at 111 12 Ave SE. The DJD Dance Centre parkade offers FREE underground parking Monday to Friday after 5PM and on Saturdays and Sundays. The parkade is free to valid ticket holders and students. Please note a code is needed to enter the parkade. (you will receive a code for the parkade in your email 24 hours before the event you are attending). You can access the DJD parkade off Centre Street (at the back of the Kahanoff Centre).
Please note: There is a 6 foot maximum height restriction for DJD’s underground parking. Two large paid-public parking lots are located at the South and East sides of the building. Two-hour meter street parking is available on Centre Street SE, between 12 and 13 Avenue SE. Two disabled parking spaces are available on the south side of the building.
Pop-Up Book Stores
Get your books signed after each Imaginairium show! Owl’s Nest Books has pop-up bookstores located inside our venues at Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor and at DJD Dance Centre, main floor. You will also find them at Central Library starting at 2 PM on Sunday, Oct. 20. Here you’ll find the featured titles from each event as well as the full collection of Imaginairium books, all in one place! Festival merchandise is also for sale, including the limited-edition 2024 Imaginairium Festival Tote bag, and collectible pins that are part of a collaboration with Calgary artist Lisa Brawn.
London Book Service
We offer “London Book Service” as an alternative option to the post-event book signing. (Patrons can pre-purchase books through the bookseller in advance or at the door and authors will sign these copies prior to the event, allowing pre-purchased copies to be picked up before and after the show from a table separate from the book signing line.) To take advantage of this service, inform the onsite bookseller at time of purchase.
Bar Service
Bar service will be available pre- and post-show for events at Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor (for events after 3pm) and DJD Dance Centre (evening events). Drinks can be enjoyed in lobby spaces and at your seat during the event.
Coffee & Tea (and Sandwiches)
Coffee and Tea at our morning shows upstairs at Memorial Park Library has been generously provided by local partner and official Festival Caffeine Sponsor, Barrow Coffee Roasters.
Nearby coffee shops include:
Deville Coffee
The District
227 12th Ave SW
Alforno at First Street Market
1327 1 St SW
I Love You Coffee Shop
348b 14th Ave SW (basement)
Starbucks
156 13th Ave SW (southwest corner of Hotel Arts)
Tim Hortons
1015 4th St SW
Health & Safety
By accessing our events and attending the Imaginairium festival, you are attesting that you are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Masking is encouraged. Let’s do our best to keep each other healthy!
Accessibility & Inclusivity
Wordfest strives to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all. Please strive with us. Embracing and encouraging diversity is an essential part of our programming and our values.
All festival venues are accessible to those with limited mobility. Courtesy seating is available upon request. Please contact boxoffice@wordfest.con with any questions or concerns.
The Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall at Central Library, DJD Dance Centre, and Wordfest’s space at Memorial Park Library include gender neutral bathroom facilities.
Patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing may contact the box office to request an audio recording and transcript of the show. Please inquire ahead of time for a faster turnaround.
If your financial situation limits your ability to experience our festival, please contact us. We have a limited number of complimentary passes and tickets, thanks to the generosity of our individual donors.
Social Media
Please join our authors and become active members of the Wordfest community by sharing photos and posts online. Share your favourite moments with us! Use #wordfest and #Imaginairium, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads using @wordfest.
