2024 at Wordfest

Writers + Books = Connection + Community

Wordfest™ beams out from Calgary, Canada in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Treaty 7 territory. We are an entrepreneurial arts non-profit founded in 1996 as one of Canada’s leading literary festivals. Our small team’s mission (which is to connect the world’s best audiences with the world’s best authors) has evolved to include producing lively, accessible shows year-round, in addition to the fall Imaginairium Festival (coming Oct. 16-20, 2024). Our unique (and free) Wordfest Youth program focuses on Grades 5 to 12 to fuel teen literacy, providing interactive experiences and class sets of books to thousands of students every year. We also produce Imagine On Air Audio, as well as online programming.

Our goal? To help you think bigger, dig deeper, and build meaningful relationships. Sign up for our newsletter here to become a part of the vital Wordfest community.

April

Wordfest Presents Denise Chong & Rumana Monzur

Apr 29 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
1221 2 St SW

More Info

Acclaimed writer Denise Chong returns to Calgary with her new book, Out of Darkness, a stirring account of the journey of domestic assault victim Rumana Monzur. Wordfest is honoured to have Monzur joining Chong for this in-depth conversation about the Bangladeshi professor's ultimate triumph over the attack. The event, hosted by journalist Christina Frangou, starts at 7PM MT and includes an audience Q & A and book signing. Shelf Life Books will be on site with copies of Out of Darkness, as well as Chong's fantastic backlist. READ MORE

May

May 03 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
1221 2 St SW

More Info

Wordfest welcomes back to Calgary prolific post-cyberpunk writer and activist Cory Doctorow and his new thriller, The Bezzle. The conversation, hosted by Wordfest's Creative Ringleader Shelley Youngblut, starts at 7PM MT and includes an audience Q & A and book signing. Shelf Life Books will be on site with copies of Doctorow’s newest book, as well as his acclaimed backlist. Ticket holders can also pre-order copies here for pick-up at the event. READ MORE

May 22 @ 7 PM MT FREE

Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
1221 2nd Street SW

More Info

Come and celebrate trans art, words, and lives with us! Wordfest and trans artist Vivek Shraya have partnered to co-curate a glorious night of trans storytelling, featuring noted essayist Kai Cheng Thom, comedian and theatre artist JD Derbyshire, and members of the Calgary arts community to be announced. The show begins at 7PM MT and includes book signings with the featured authors. Shelf Life Books will be on site with books and ticket holders can also pre-order copies here for pick-up at the event. READ MORE

May 23 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library
800 3 Street SE

More Info

Wordfest presents bestselling author and economist Jeff Rubin and his new book A Map of the New Normal: How Inflation, War, and Sanctions Will Change Your World Forever. Tracking trade wars and kinetic wars, central banks and runs on banks, pipelines blown up and start-ups knocked down, Rubin gives us a glimpse of a near future that will look very different from the recent past. It reminds us that our mortgage rates and job security, our grocery bills and investments, are all tied to events set in motion by governments, corporations, and black swans around the world. READ MORE

June

Jun 03 @ 7 PM MT $30

The Grand
608 1 St SW

More Info

What could be more timely than an in-depth conversation about democracy with Ali Velshi, MSNBC's Chief Correspondent, and Calgary political strategist (and host extraordinaire) Zain Velji? We're thrilled to be presenting one of the world's leading broadcast journalists, as he celebrates the launch of his newest (and most personal) book, Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy of Endurance and the Fight for Democracy. This event is assigned seating, so you can relax and focus on getting a libation and a book. After the show, you'll have the opportunity to meet Velshi and get your book signed. Limited copies of his previous books will also be available for purchase before and after the show, with proceeds going toward Wordfest's Youth Program. A big thank you to Raincoast Books for making this vital conversation possible! READ MORE

Jun 23 @ 4 PM MT $25

Patricia A. Whelan Performance Hall, Central Library
800 3 Street SE

More Info

Carley Fortune is FINALLY going to be on stage in Calgary! The breakout bestselling author of Meet Me at The Lake is doing a 4PM afternoon extravaganza on Sunday, June 23 at Central Library. Your ticket includes an exclusive, in-depth conversation, hosted by Wordfest's Creative Ringleader Shelley Youngblut, as well as an audience Q & A and book signing. A Wordfest photographer will be there to take selfies with Carley that you can download after the show. READ MORE

Writers + Books = Connection + Community

April

Apr 29 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

May

May 03 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

May 22 @ 7 PM MT FREE

May 23 @ 7 PM MT $15 - $25

June

Jun 03 @ 7 PM MT $30

Jun 23 @ 4 PM MT $25

We Love our Funders