Toronto
#1 Media & Literary Event
About 450 writers, editors, and publishers are expected to attend the televised gala for the richest prize Canadian fiction prize—$100,000—this fall, again at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. Comedian Steve Patterson hosted in 2016, when Madeleine Thien won for Do Not Say We Have Nothing. Next: November 21, 2017
Montreal
#2 Media & Literary Event (up from #5)
The literary festival with a social conscious boasted 100,000 visits in 2017 when 309 authors and other artists participated. Anita Desai won the Blue Metropolis Literary Grand Prix, and La Presse and TD were among the sponsors. Next year the event celebrates its 20th anniversary. Next: April 20-29, 2018
Vancouver
#3 Media & Literary Event
For its 30th anniversary, the Granville Island festival will feature 114 authors—the most ever—including Canadian heavyweights Margaret Atwood and Barbara Gowdy. About 17,000 avid readers are expected this year, when new sponsors include The Globe and Mail and Indigo. Next: October 16-22, 2017
Toronto
#4 Media & Literary Event
Two new stages—the Indigenous Literature Stage and the TFO Franco Stage—will be added this year when the event returns to Harbourfront and expects 215,000 book-lovers to attend. New sponsors this year include CBC Kids and the Alliance Français. Next: September 24, 2017
Toronto
#5 Media & Literary Event
The festival will celebrate Canada’s 150th by focusing on Canadian authors and their works. Attendance at last year’s event grew to 13,000, when it hosted more than 200 authors from 16 countries. Next: October 19-29, 2017
Woody Point
#6 Media & Literary Event (up from #7)
The intimate and influential literary festival for 350 guests notched an increase in ticket sales for individual events. This year, 14 authors came to remote Newfoundland, with highlights including the return of Annie Proulx and Jim Cuddy as the opening musical act. Scotiabank remained the signature sponsor. Next: August 14-19, 2018
