WordFest

WordFest Connecting readers with the world’s best authors through lively conversations and more, year-round.

Celebrating its 26th year, Wordfest connects Calgarians (and now the world) with life-changing experiences, both live and now online through Imagine On Air, our broadcast channel for your imagination.

09/02/2026

If David A. Robertson says you should see it, we’re listening. 👀🎧

David A. Robertson has been part of Imaginairium every year since 2015, so we put him to the test: What show would you recommend to first-timers? What makes sharing Richard Wagamese’s work with young people so special? And his top reasons to come to this year’s festival.

Watch to get David’s picks, then make your own list. 📋

📅 October 13–18, 2026
🎟️ See the full lineup and get tickets at Wordfest.com

Wordfest Presents Jen Agg Battle Ready Baby 🗡 🗓️August 29, 2026📍Memorial Park Library, Calgary 📙”Table Boss” Owl's Nest ...
08/31/2026

Wordfest Presents Jen Agg Battle Ready Baby 🗡

🗓️August 29, 2026
📍Memorial Park Library, Calgary
📙”Table Boss” Owl's Nest Books Penguin Random House Canada

🎤 Connie DeSousa Connie DeSousa 🇨🇦👩🏻‍🍳🇵🇹🏃🏻‍♀️ & John Jackson John Jackson
📸 Dave Kotsibie
🥖🍇 CHARCUT

08/29/2026

Calgary, you just got a taste of a Jen-Agg-level experience.🍴

Direct, refreshing, and endlessly entertaining Battle Ready Baby 🗡 commanded the stage with Calgary celebrity chefs Connie DeSousa Connie DeSousa 🇨🇦👩🏻‍🍳🇵🇹🏃🏻‍♀️ & John Jackson John Jackson as hosts.

🧀🍇🥖And what’s a foodie-show without a charcuterie board! Thanks to our friends at CHARCUT for the delectable spread and Owl's Nest Books for bringing copies of “Table Boss” as dessert.

And yes, a table boss would most definitely buy two copies 💪🏻

Wordfest Presents Shane Hawk & Jessica Johns Shane Hawk Jessica Johns🗓️ August 11, 2026📍 Memorial Park Library, Calgary ...
08/26/2026

Wordfest Presents Shane Hawk & Jessica Johns Shane Hawk Jessica Johns

🗓️ August 11, 2026
📍 Memorial Park Library, Calgary
📕 “Back for Blood” Nocturne Books Penguin Random House Canada

🎤 David A. Robertson
📸 Dave Kotsibie

Single tickets for Imaginairium presented by Wordfest are on sale NOW! 🎟️We know you’re ready to squeeze every bit of jo...
08/25/2026

Single tickets for Imaginairium presented by Wordfest are on sale NOW! 🎟️

We know you’re ready to squeeze every bit of joy out of the 2026 Imaginairium: Canada’s Liveliest Literary Festival. We’re thrilled to present more than 41 showcases featuring 50+ authors from Oct. 13- 18. With single tickets on sale, this is the perfect time to explore the literary festival of your dreams, right here in Calgary!

Indulge in literary icons and discover breakout stars. Relish the return of The Way We… storytelling showcases (there are two of them!), The Kris Demeanor & Deborah Willis Variety Show, and Literary Death Match. From unmissable solo shows and conversation that will have you questioning everything, to inspired pairings that leave you wanting more, the Imaginairium is the place your imagination goes to get real. 💭

Get your tickets at wordfest.com 🎟️

08/25/2026

What happens when the things that haunt us become stories? 👻📚

Wordfest brought Indigenous fright-literers Shane Hawk and Jessica Johns to the stage for an evening of blood-chilling stories, where both authors shared the journeys behind their horror writing and the experiences that shaped their work.

We heard Jessica speak about the crossover of dreams in both her Indigenous culture and the horror genre, while Shane shared how his experiences as a parent inspired elements of his writing. Together, alongside host David A. Robertson, they explored the personal, cultural and imaginative roots behind their stories - and what makes horror such a powerful way to tell them.

Books from Nocturne Books brought the stories to life beyond the stage, and it was a hauntingly good night of conversation, connection and fright-lit. 🩸

📚 Penguin Random House Canada

⭐️If you’re a Wordfester who’s already chipped in to support Wordfest’s Youth Program this year, THANK YOU! And thank yo...
08/22/2026

⭐️If you’re a Wordfester who’s already chipped in to support Wordfest’s Youth Program this year, THANK YOU! And thank you to the Rogers Charity Classic golf tournament Rogers Charity Classic, for being August’s best all-ages watching experience AND for supporting Calgary kids year-round!

The tournament is on now through to Aug. 23, and you can still get tickets on the rogerscharityclassic.com website.⛳️

Did you know donations to Wordfest Youth made before August 31, 2026, are matched up to 50% through Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink.

See how you can help spark big ideas and a lasting love of reading in teens by introducing them to the same calibre of authors, books, and experiences that you love about Wordfest at the link in our bio.

📣 New Show Announcement 📣Wordfest Presents Anita Rau Badami Anita Badami 🗓️ Monday, October 26, 7:00PM📍Memorial Park Lib...
08/20/2026

📣 New Show Announcement 📣

Wordfest Presents Anita Rau Badami Anita Badami

🗓️ Monday, October 26, 7:00PM
📍Memorial Park Library, Calgary
🎟️ $25 - The lively conversation, hosted by Kirti Bhadresa, Kirti Bhadresa, includes an audience Q & A and book signing fueled by Owl's Nest Books.

After far too long an absence, the writer and visual artist Anita Rau Badami makes a triumphant return to Calgary with her highly anticipated new novel, (fifteen years in the writing!), Asha in Her Garden. 🪴

Get your tickets at Wordfest.com

💥 Wordfest’s 2026 Imaginairium is Canada’s *livliest literary festival*, and it’s bringing the world’s best authors to C...
08/18/2026

💥 Wordfest’s 2026 Imaginairium is Canada’s *livliest literary festival*, and it’s bringing the world’s best authors to Calgary. To connect with… YOU!

Join us for a 6-day celebration of ideas, stories & connection from Oct 13–18 in Calgary.

The full schedule & author line-up are here! 🎉

📚 50+ authors live on stage (and at after-show signings!)
🎤41 shows across four venues
🫶 Unexpected and engaging formats like storytelling extravaganzas, talk shows, mash-ups, solo spotlights and even a Literary Death Match.

The Imaginairium is not your typical book fest!

Individual tickets start at just $25, and go on sale August 25 @ 10 am.

Wordfest Presents Natalie Sue Natalie Sue 🗓️ August 11, 2026📍 Memorial Park Library, Calgary 📗 “You’ll Love It Here” Owl...
08/13/2026

Wordfest Presents Natalie Sue Natalie Sue

🗓️ August 11, 2026
📍 Memorial Park Library, Calgary
📗 “You’ll Love It Here” Owl's Nest Books HarperCollins Canada

🎤 Shelley Youngblut
📸 Dave Kotsibie

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Calgary, AB
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