Meet best-selling authors and discover new reads at this Calgary book festival

If you’ve ever wanted to meet your favourite authors, learn more about writing or spend a weekend surrounded by books, When Words Collide is bringing something for every kind of book lover to Calgary. The annual festival is returning this summer with three days of author talks, workshops, panels, and conversations covering everything from writing your own book to searching for your next favourite read.

So grab your bookmark and get ready to dive into a weekend filled with stories and creativity.

What to expect at When Words Collide

When Worlds Collide will feature more than 170 events throughout the weekend, and attendees will have an opportunity to hear from authors like Lily Chu, Kevin McDonald, and Terry Brooks. Alongside the headlining authors, there will be special guests covering genres like fantasy, science fiction, and horror.

If your favourite genre is romance, you’ll want to check out the dedicated romance book reading session. The session will include readings from authors Xio Axelrod, Alix Kelinda, and Jenna Sommers, giving readers a sneak peek at some of their latest stories before they hit the shelves.

Beyond the author sessions, attendees can take part in writing workshops that focus on the craft of storytelling. The festival will also feature panels and discussions with publishing professionals, giving aspiring writers a chance to learn more about everything from developing ideas to getting their work published.

And for those who are there to simply enjoy the world of books, there will be plenty of opportunities to browse, discover new authors, and connect with other readers and writers throughout the weekend. Families can also get involved with kid-friendly activities, including a game room with board games

Tickets, timing and details

When Words Collide will run from Friday, Aug. 14 until Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Calgary. Tickets start at $120 for full three-day access, giving attendees the chance to explore, sign up for panels, and connect with authors and writers.

Just be warned, you might leave the event with a longer TBR list than you arrived with!

When: Friday, Aug. 14, to Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. start on Friday, 9 a.m. start on Saturday and Sunday
Where: Hyatt Regency Downtown Calgary – 700 Centre St. SE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $120

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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