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.
Check out our upcoming shows 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.
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.
Join Wordfest as we mark Freedom to Read week and celebrate all things literary, library, and life-affirming with bestselling author—and former librarian—Emily Austin, as she returns with her new novel Is This A Cry For Help? We were besotted after Austin’s 2025 Imaginairium appearances and couldn’t wait to invite her back to Calgary.
The conversation, hosted by Paula Turcotte, starts at 7pm and includes an audience Q & A, and book signing, fueled by Shelf Life Books. You can preorder copies of Is This A Cry For Help?, as well as Emily Austin’s back list, here.
March
Through the lens of five transformative practices—gratitude, love, joy, happiness, and hope—bestselling author Monique Gray Smith (Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults)weaves together short stories, poignant reflections, and thoughtful questions that invite readers to pause and reconnect with their inner light in her new book, Sharing the Light.
The conversation, hosted by Rosemary Griebel, starts at 7pm and includes an audience Q & A and book signing, fuelled by Owl’s Nest Books. You can preorder copies of Sharing the Light, as well as Monique Gray Smith’s wonderful back list, here.
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.
June
Non-fiction fans, this one’s for you. We’ve wanted to entice Patrick Radden Keefe (Say Nothing, Empire of Pain) to Calgary for years. And our time has come: The New Yorker‘s master of investigative narrative has added a Calgary stop on the world tour for his highly-anticipated new book, London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family’s Search for Truth.
The conversation, hosted by Shelley Youngblut, includes an audience Q & A and book signing, fuelled by Shelf Life Books. You can preorder copies of London Falling, as well as Radden Keefe’s award-winning back list, here.
Upcoming Shows
Thank You to Our Public Funders
Founding Partner
Community Supporters
