Literary events in Ontario 2025
Toronto | Toronto International Festival of Authors
Discover new and old books at book fairs and connect with authors and publishers in the literary community. Whether you want to join a writing workshop to practise your craft or hear well-known writers speak about their books and writing process, participating in these literary events can offer knowledge and inspiration for all bibliophiles.
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Toronto International Festival of Authors
One of Canada’s biggest literary events, the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) has attracted thousands of local and international visitors for over 40 years.
This 11-day festival welcomes thousands of authors from over 100 countries, including Nobel Laureates and numerous other award winners. Join fellow avid readers in book launches, artists’ talks, readings, performances, special award celebrations and more.
TIFA also features mini-festivals such as the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, Toronto Lit Up and the official TIFA Book Club.
Dates: Stay tuned for 2025 information
Location: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair will return in 2025 to the waterfront venue of the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U). It’s the place to go if you love reading and collecting vintage books and maps. A wide selection of Canadian, American and British booksellers will be on hand, with incredible and rare books, prints, maps, ephemera and other paperworks on display.
Dates: November 14—16, 2025
Location: 130 Queens Quay East
The Word On The Street Toronto
Running since 1990, The Word On The Street (WOTS) Toronto is Canada’s largest free book and magazine festival, attracting over 200,000 visitors every year.
This unique Toronto literary festival has hosted hundreds of author readings, focusing on promoting books by Canadian and Indigenous authors and publishers. In addition to the free annual street festival, WOTS hosts year-round literary programming to celebrate storytelling, ideas and imagination.
Participate in various activities designed for book lovers, such as panel discussions, writing and publishing workshops, book fairs and children’s interactive activities. Independent authors, small presses and writing associations are featured in exhibits, where you can browse and chat about their works. Virtual workshops and podcasts are also available for those who can’t make it in-person at Queens Park.
Dates: September 27-28, 2025
Location: 111 Wellesley Street West, Toronto
The Festival of Literary Diversity
As Canada’s first festival for diverse authors and storytellers, The Festival of Literary Diversity engages readers and inspires writers by focusing attention on underrepresented and marginalized voices.
This annual event is held in Brampton’s historic downtown, where writers discuss the challenges they face in crafting stories that ask hard questions, push literary boundaries and foster acceptance and equality. The festival schedule includes various virtual and in-person events for people of all ages, such as a reading challenge, kids’ festival, author visit series and monthly online webinars.
All of the spaces used at this festival are wheelchair accessible, with ramp or ground-level entrances. You’ll also find gender-neutral restrooms, accessible parking spaces and e-buttons on doors.
Dates: April 27—May 4, 2025
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
gritLIT Festival
Established in 2004 by local Hamilton writer Krista Foss as a small, intimate event, gritLIT soon grew into a dynamic, large-scale literary festival.
Enjoy a variety of fun writing discussions hosted by talented authors, with wine, music, games and plenty of laughter. Attend in-person readings, panels or interviews or join special writing workshops over Zoom. In addition to readings at the Staircase Theatre, this event includes readings at schools across Southwestern Ontario.
Dates: April 23—27, 2025
Burlington Literary Festival
Immerse yourself in books and creativity with talented authors during the Burlington Literary Festival.
This book festival features exciting events like an intimate writer’s workshops, panel discussions and storytelling gatherings, held in-person and online. These events are hosted by an array of local and bestselling authors. In the past, well-known writers like Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Lynda Monk and Rod Carley have made guest appearances.
All events are free to attend, but you must register in advance on the website.
Dates: November 2025
Location: 2331 New Street, Burlington
Burlington Lyrics & Poetry Festival
April is poetry month and the perfect time to experience the Burlington Lyrics & Poetry Festival. This celebration of poems and songs features music and spoken word performances, as well as creative workshops and activities
Dates: April 2025
Telling Tales Festival
Share the love of reading with your kids when you bring them to meet Canadian authors, illustrators and storytellers at the Telling Tales Festival.
This popular children’s book festival invites homegrown Canadian writers to connect with their younger fans and new audiences with presentations and workshops. It’s run by schools, libraries and volunteers passionate about raising the next generation of avid readers.
During its history, this two-day event has featured over 290 literary authors and delivered more than 660 presentations to a live audience of over 65,000 kid and adult spectators. Famous Canadian authors like David A. Robertson, Esi Edugyen and Kenneth Oppel have made appearances.
Register to attend the Telling Tales Festival through the website. Attendance is free.
Dates: Stay tuned for 2025 information
Location: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Eden Mills Writers’ Festival
Hear and read works in a variety of genres at the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival.
Having run every September since 1989, this annual writers’ festival takes over the charming village of Eden Mills. On the festival Sunday, the streets are closed to traffic so visitors can sit on blankets or lawn chairs to hear readings from established and emerging Canadian writers. From the riverbank and grassy gardens to accessible outdoor venues, spend an idyllic afternoon listening to great readings from more than 60 writers.
Enjoy snacks and light meals from food trucks and vendors on the licensed patio and stroll through the marketplace on the town’s main street, which showcases a bookseller and author’s signing tent.
There is a free shuttle bus service from Guelph.
Dates: Stay tuned for 2025 information
Location: Guelph/Eramosa
Ottawa Region
Ottawa International Writers Festival
Ignite your imagination at the Ottawa International Writers Festival.
Politics, poetry, science, music and history are just some of the diverse genres of works that will be featured and read aloud during this biannual festival. From writing workshops to hosting presentations by Nobel Laureates, exciting events promote creativity and encourage a love of reading and self-expression for people of all ages.
Events take place twice a year in the spring and fall. There is also year-round programming. Buy tickets online or at the door if the event is not sold out.
Dates:
- Spring, May 1—4 and May 14—16
- Fall, October 22—26
Location: Various venues in Ottawa
Southeastern Ontario
Kingston WritersFest
Each September, Kingston WritersFest invites readers and writers to celebrate the power of the written word.
The festival highlights literary works that challenge the reader and the literary art form with revolutionary ideas, presentations and structures, this five-day festival honours great fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic novels and other hybrid and experimental works. Writers can sign up for the immersive writing boot camp taught by critically acclaimed authors and book lovers can check out the literary events held by the festival.
Dates: Stay tuned for 2025 information
Location: 209 Wellington Street #202A, Kingston
Kawarthas and Northumberland
Lakefield Literary Festival
For over 30 years, the Lakefield Literary Festival has brought writers and readers together to bond over a love for all things literature.
The festival’s mission is to showcase Canadian authors and nurture the joy of reading in children and adults. Bring your kids to free children’s book readings at Cenotaph Park. A reception and author signings follow.
Celebrated authors like Margaret Atwood, Michael Enright, Charlotte Gray, Wayne Johnston and Canadian Indigenous authors have entertained audiences in the past. Local student writers are also welcome to enter the festival’s annual writing contest and have the chance to see their work published in the Contest for Young Writers e-book.
Dates: July 18—19, 2025
Northeastern Ontario
Wordstock Sudbury Festival
Northern Ontario’s premier writing festival, Wordstock Sudbury Festival, invites readers and writers alike to share their love for the written word.
This annual literary festival amplifies a wide range of Canadian voices, particularly Northern Ontario authors, who write about issues like accessibility, reconciliation and diversity.
If you’re a budding writer, join the sessions to hone your writing craft or participate in conversations about change. Youth writers can enter the Youthwords Writing Contest for the chance to win a cash prize. Previous festivals have also hosted children’s authors readings and masterclasses for kids interested in writing or spoken word poetry.
Dates: November 7—9, 2025
Location: 109 Elm Street, Greater Sudbury
Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury
Enjoy discovering new books and engaging in lively discussions with French writers at Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury, a French-language book fair and festival.
With the goal of promoting Francophone culture, language and education, this organization features workshops, conferences and fun activities for French-speaking visitors of all ages. Its literary program includes a flagship annual event, a book fair and a “reading marathon” challenge for families.
Dates: May 8—11, 2025
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
Bookapalooza
Save the date for the annual Bookapalooza in Haliburton, where the vibrant literary community celebrates storytelling of all genres and forms. Browse more than 50 exhibitors of books, CDs and gifts and join spirited discussions with fellow book lovers and writers. Get tickets to experience the onstage interview, Q&A, and book signing, or purchase a combo ticket for dinner and reception with the author.
Dates: Stay tuned for 2025 information
Last updated: March 25, 2025