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.

Meet the official Reading in the Wild 3 tote bag 👜🌿📚Designed with original artwork by Tori English , this limited-editio...
05/27/2026

Meet the official Reading in the Wild 3 tote bag 👜🌿📚

Designed with original artwork by Tori English , this limited-edition tote celebrates another summer of reading together at Central Memorial Park.

Pre-order yours now through the link in our bio and pick it up at the Wordfest merch table when Reading in the Wild begins at 4pm on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Available in limited quantities — don’t miss your chance to carry a little piece of Reading in the Wild with you all summer long. 🌳☀️📖

Wordfest Presents Nick Cutter and Marcus Kliewer 🗓️ May 22, 2026📍 Memorial Park Library, Calgary 📚 “The Caretaker” and...
05/25/2026

Wordfest Presents Nick Cutter and Marcus Kliewer

🗓️ May 22, 2026
📍 Memorial Park Library, Calgary
📚 “The Caretaker” and “The Dorians”

🎤
📸

05/23/2026

“Canadian horror is alive and well!” If Nick Cutter says it’s so, we can rejoice.

The fandom was strong with this jump-scare-loving crowd tonight, as and brought us behind the curtain on the craft of spooking, unsettling, and mind-bending.

Perfectly complemented by our friends at - tonight was full of insights, fully signed backlists, and new friends.

👻 Welcome to Wordfest! 👻

05/21/2026

We’re thrilled to unveil this year’s official Reading in the Wild poster, illustrated by Calgary’s own Tori English 🎨

📚 Join Wordfest and for Calgary’s outdoor read-a-thon—where hundreds of readers gather in Memorial Park to enjoy books, treats, and community in the open air.

🗓️ Tuesday, June 23, 2026
🕓 4–7 PM
📍 Memorial Park
🎟️ Free

With free ice cream for the first 400 guests, live music, coffee, zero-proof beverages, and plenty of bookish surprises, this is one evening you can’t miss!
So bring a blanket, a book, and your reading pals (including well-behaved dogs 🐶) and RSVP at the link in bio! 

05/20/2026

📚🌳 Reading in the Wild is back! 🍦☀️

Wordfest and are thrilled to announce the return of (third edition!) - Calgary’s beloved outdoor read-a-thon and the ultimate summer outing for book lovers.

Join hundreds of readers for an evening of books, community, and relaxing in the sunshine. Bring a blanket, your current read, and your favourite reading buddy (including well-behaved dogs 🐶).

🗓️ Tuesday, June 23, 2026
🕓 4–7 PM
📍 Memorial Park
🎟️ FREE

Don’t have a book? Borrow one from Calgary Public Library’s outdoor circulation desk and sign up for a free library card. 
This year’s special additions include:

🎵 Live music from
☕ Pop-up café from
🍦 Free ice cream from for the first 400 guests (and the first 25 pups!)
🍹 Zero-proof cocktail samples from and
🥪 Preorder a dinner box to caption
🛍️ Bookish merch from
📚 Special Wordfest buttons and other fun giveaways
Whether you’re a lifelong reader or just looking for the perfect summer evening, Reading in the Wild is for everyone.

🔗RSVP now at the link in bio or visit Wordfest.com/ritw to receive event updates

05/19/2026

The before and after says it all. ✨

From an empty hall to hundreds of books lifted into the air — thank you for making our May 15 event with Carley Fortune such a memorable celebration.

Consider this your official Wordfester initiation, Fortunates 💜💌

05/17/2026

Books are even better when they’re shared! 📖🫶🏻

To mark National Little Free Library Day, we dropped off a few favourite reads at Little Free Libraries across Calgary.

These tiny book exchanges are a simple but powerful reminder that stories build community. A book that meant something to you might be exactly what someone else needs to find. ☺️

📚 Take a book. Leave a book. Share the joy.

Wordfest Presents Carley Fortune 🗓️ Friday, May 16📍 Bella Concert Hall 📘”Our Perfect Storm” .books 🎤 Shelley Youngblu...
05/17/2026

Wordfest Presents Carley Fortune

🗓️ Friday, May 16
📍 Bella Concert Hall
📘”Our Perfect Storm” .books

🎤 Shelley Youngblut
📸

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1221 2 Street SW
Calgary, AB
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