Literary events in Ontario 2025
Word on the Street | Toronto
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 authors speak about their books and writing process, these literary events offer knowledge and inspiration for all bibliophiles.
Greater Toronto Area
Toronto International Festival of Authors
After calling Harbourfront Centre home for 50 years, Canada’s largest literary festival has moved to a new location. Now an independent non-profit organization, the Toronto International Festival of Authors has a new partnership with Victoria College in the University of Toronto, where the TIFA events are now held.
Programming details for the Toronto International Festival of Authors will be available soon.
When: October 29–November 2, 2025
Where: 106 Queens Park, Toronto
TIFA Romance Presented by Rakuten Kobo
Fans of romantic literature will enjoy a weekend dedicated to romance books at one of TIFA’s newest festivals. Enjoy Q & A panels, book signings, workshops and a chance to meet acclaimed authors. From swoon-worthy historical romance to steamy contemporaries, it’s a weekend to fall in love.
When: November 21–23, 2025
Where: 106 Queens Park, Toronto
MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival
If you love true crime, thrillers and detective novels, you’ll want to attend MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival. This expansion of TIFA programming shines a spotlight on mystery, intrigue and suspenseful storytelling.
When: Check back later for 2026 information.
Where: 106 Queens Park, Toronto
Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair
The Toronto Antiquarian Book Fair returns in 2025 to the waterfront venue of the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U).
This is the event to attend for fans and collectors of 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.
When: November 14–16, 2025
Where: 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 two-day, free Toronto literary festival takes place at David Pecaut Square in 2025. It has hosted hundreds of author readings, focusing on promoting books by Canadian and Indigenous authors and publishers. Word on the Street also 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.
When: September 27–28, 2025
Where: 215 King 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. 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.
When: Check back later for 2026 information.
York, Durham and Headwaters
The Book Drunkard Literary Festival
Presented by Blue Heron Books, the Book Drunkard Festival features evenings of book talks with celebrated authors.
Enjoy the latest book conversations with writers such as Linwood Barclay and Joe Hill and join Rebecca Fisseha, Ellie K. Wilde and Kristine Winters for a brunchtime discussion about the world of romance literature.
The event takes place at different venues on select days. Choose from an individual event ticket or a curated package that includes five events, two signed books and a voucher to select a book of your choice.
When: October 7–November 12, 2025
Where: Various locations in Uxbridge
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
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 online. Attendance is free.
When: October 4 and 5, 2025
Where: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington
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: Check back later for 2026 information.
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 writers’ 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 online.
When: November 2025
Where: 2331 New Street, Burlington
Burlington Lyrics & Poetry Festival
April is poetry month, so 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
When: Check back later for 2026 information.
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.
When: September 4–7, 2025
Where: 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.
When: May 1–4, 14–16 and October 22–26, 2025
Where: Various venues in Ottawa
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.
When: Check back later for 2026 information.
Where: Lakefield
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.
When: November 7–9, 2025
Where: 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.
When: Check back later for 2026 information.
Where: 27 Larch Street, Sudbury
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.
When: Check back later for 2026 information.
Where: Minden
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Hear the River Poetry Event
Visit the Durham Art Gallery this fall for an afternoon of poetry readings from four powerful voices: Catherine Graham, Frances Boyle, Murgatroyd Monaghan and Laurie Koensgen.
Purchase tickets online.
When: October 18, 2025
Where: 251 George Street East, Durham
Ontario’s lively and engaging literary events invite readers, writers and avid book lovers of all ages to learn, connect and share in the wonderful world of the written word.
Last updated: September 6, 2025