Wordfest is More Than 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 in our own theatre in Memorial Park Library, as well as at Central Library, Decidedly Jazz Dance Centre, and The Bella Concert Hall. 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 featuring Calgary’s independent booksellers. Our shows sell out quickly, so act fast!
AI SCAM ALERT: Invitations to appear at Wordfest are sent by publishers to their authors. If you receive any communication from an email account (particularly a gmail account) purporting to be from a Wordfest representative, it is likely an AI-generated scam. We only work through publishers to avoid this unconscionable exploitation and our official emails are from emails ending in wordfest.com. We never charge authors or artists to be part of our programming.
September
We had to sneak one more fall show in—and it’s a doozy. Colin James is not only a Canadian blues legend, he’s a heck of a storyteller. Join James, in an intimate conversation with Calgary Herald art writer Eric Volmers, to celebrate the launch of his long-awaited memoir, Playing The Changes: A Musician’s Memoir. Tickets to this show will go fast (almost as lightning quick as James’ playing), so please act fast. The book comes out just days before the show, but you can pre-order your copy here from Owl’s Nest Books to pick up a the show and be first in the signing line.
[Sold Out]
Sep 27 @ 1 PM $62.95 (incl Book & GST) + $10.92 MRU Fee
SOLD OUT! Join the waitlist here for any additional tickets that become available. Note: Wordfest, which is a non-profit, does not condone reselling tickets above the original ticket price.
If you were at R.F. Kuang’s sold-out 2025 Wordfest appearance, you know why we’re so chuffed she’s coming back to Calgary with her new novel, Tapei Story. Given how many of you were disappointed that you didn’t get tickets last time, we’re delighted to be able to present her in a bigger venue, the glorious Bella Concert Hall, in an exclusive conversation hosted by Calgary graphic memoirist Teresa Wong.
Your ticket includes a pre-signed, deluxe limited-edition copy of Taipei Story. Additional signed copies, as well as Kuang’s fantastic backlist (Yellowface, Babel, Katabasis), will be available at the show and for pre-order, courtesy of Owl’s Nest Books.
October
With all the nostalgia for the ’90s, this is our moment to rally around Rick “The Temp” Campanelli, whose nickname was upgraded to “The Franchise” after his long tenure as a beloved MuchMusic VJ. His bombshell memoir, Tempted: My Story, takes us along his journey from Queen Street West to hosting ET: Canada and Breakfast Television in Toronto.
“Being a mostly open book in the public eye for over 30 years, people think they know me pretty well, but it’s time for me to shed light on a few deep dark secrets that will shock many,” Campanelli shares. “Tempted is a story of accomplishments and living life to the fullest but not without mistakes along the way. A cautionary tale of what can happen when you lose control. This is my full story, flaws and all.”
And we have the perfect pro to lead the conversation and audience Q&A: Dave Kelly, the beloved host of Calgary’s Breakfast Television. You also get to meet Rick and get your book signed after. Want to be first in line? You can pre-order Tempted here from Owl’s Nest Books, who will also be on site with copies.
LOW TICKET ALERT!
America. Russia. Iran. Secret plots. Imperialist ambition. Nuclear destruction. This story could be pulled from today’s headlines but it’s actually 1981. Only Ben Macintyre could uncover the secrets behind the Soviet double agent struggling to prevent Cold War Armageddon. Wordfest is thrilled to welcome Macintyre back to Calgary to share the fascinating tale behind Redwood: The Untold Story of the Cold War’s Most Extraordinary Spy.
The conversation, hosted by Wordfest’s Shelley Youngblut, includes an audience Q & A and book signing, fuelled by Owl’s Nest Books. You can preorder copies of Redwood, as well as Macintyre’s award-winning back list, here.
Thank you, Wordfesters! THIS SHOW SOLD OUT in less than 24 hours! You can join the waitlist here.
Wordfest welcomes back tech visionary Cory Doctorow and his latest bestseller, The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI: How to Think About Artificial Intelligence Before It’s Too Late. The show, hosted by Zain Velji, includes an audience Q&A and book signing. Want to be first in the signing line? You can pre-order Doctorow’s new book and backlist from Owl’s Nest Books here.
The Imaginairium, Canada’s Liveliest Literary Festival, returns Oct. 13 to 18, 2026, featuring 40+ shows and a stellar lineup of 50+ authors.
Check out the authors appearing at the 2026 Imaginairium: Superstars who personify the dazzling range of Canadian and international storytelling! And they are all the very best humans, which makes the opportunity for you to connect with each of them this fall even more magical.
We’re announcing the Imaginairium schedule on Aug. 18. Get your Festival Pass now for the best value—and access to our most popular shows, such as The Way We… Wear and Literary Death Match.
Oct 13 @ 12:45 PM $25
Starring Shelagh Rogers & David A. Robertson. Hosted by Shelley Youngblut
Oct 13 @ 5:30 PM $25
Hosted by Paula Turcotte
Starring Cassie Campbell-Pascall & Clara Hughes
Oct 14 @ 12 PM $25
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