1. Scotiabank Giller Prize Gala
Toronto
Canada’s premier literary gala, with a $140,000 purse and 450 top literati in attendance, moves to the Four Seasons Hotel this year, where it all began 25 years ago. Literary luminary Margaret Atwood’s new novel, The Testaments, made the long list, and it is a good bet for the final five. Next: November 18, 2019
Canada’s premier literary gala, with a $140,000 purse and 450 top literati in attendance, moves to the Four Seasons Hotel this year, where it all began 25 years ago. Literary luminary Margaret Atwood’s new novel, The Testaments, made the long list, and it is a good bet for the final five. Next: November 18, 2019
Photo: Tom Sandler Photography
2. Blue Metropolis
Montreal
The literary festival with a social conscience featured star scribes such as Esi Edugyan and Annie Proulx. Some 120,000 people attended the festival and its partner events, along with 275 authors, artists, and hosts. Heritage Canada and TD Bank remained key sponsors. Next: May 1-6, 2020
The literary festival with a social conscience featured star scribes such as Esi Edugyan and Annie Proulx. Some 120,000 people attended the festival and its partner events, along with 275 authors, artists, and hosts. Heritage Canada and TD Bank remained key sponsors. Next: May 1-6, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Metropolis
3. Vancouver Writers Festival
Vancouver
Granville Island is the title sponsor for this bookish bash, which in 2018 hosted 15,000 attendees at more than 80 events, including readings, panel discussions, performances, and interviews. Featured authors at the 2019 event, curated by Tanya Talaga, are Naomi Klein, Tash Aw, Alicia Elliott, and Adam Gopnik. Next: October 21-27, 2019
Granville Island is the title sponsor for this bookish bash, which in 2018 hosted 15,000 attendees at more than 80 events, including readings, panel discussions, performances, and interviews. Featured authors at the 2019 event, curated by Tanya Talaga, are Naomi Klein, Tash Aw, Alicia Elliott, and Adam Gopnik. Next: October 21-27, 2019
Photo: Chris Cameron
4. Word on the Street
Toronto
To kick off its 30th anniversary event, the festival added an off-site keynote address focused on urbanism and the arts. "The City Imagines" was the theme for Saturday programing and Sunday’s outdoor book fair, when about 200,000 lovers of literature were expected to attend. TD Bank returned to sponsor TD KidStreet. Next: September 2020
To kick off its 30th anniversary event, the festival added an off-site keynote address focused on urbanism and the arts. "The City Imagines" was the theme for Saturday programing and Sunday’s outdoor book fair, when about 200,000 lovers of literature were expected to attend. TD Bank returned to sponsor TD KidStreet. Next: September 2020
Photo: Andy Takagi
5. Toronto International Festival of Authors
Toronto
This 11-day international festival has rebranded for its 40th year, including the word Toronto in its revised moniker. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend in 2019, with students and youth being heavily targeted to for readings and other free, pop-up events hosted by 200 renowned writers and thinkers. University of Toronto Bookstore returns as a sponsor. Next: October 24-November 3, 2019
This 11-day international festival has rebranded for its 40th year, including the word Toronto in its revised moniker. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend in 2019, with students and youth being heavily targeted to for readings and other free, pop-up events hosted by 200 renowned writers and thinkers. University of Toronto Bookstore returns as a sponsor. Next: October 24-November 3, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of International Festival of Authors
6. Writers at Woody Point
Up from #7
Woody Point, Newfoundland
CBC radio personalities Shelagh Rogers and Tom Power co-hosted the sold-out festival on the Rock this year, with increased attendance of 3,500. New for 2019: a Sunday night concert by Polaris Prize-winning musician Jeremy Dutcher, and a partnership with Parks Canada for Writers in the Wild. Scotiabank returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: August 18-23, 2020
Woody Point, Newfoundland
CBC radio personalities Shelagh Rogers and Tom Power co-hosted the sold-out festival on the Rock this year, with increased attendance of 3,500. New for 2019: a Sunday night concert by Polaris Prize-winning musician Jeremy Dutcher, and a partnership with Parks Canada for Writers in the Wild. Scotiabank returned as the presenting sponsor. Next: August 18-23, 2020
Photo: Tom Cochrane
