Featuring 170+ events, 150+ presenters, and more genres than you can shake a bookmark at for 3 sweet summer days and nights in Calgary, AB, from August 14-16, 2026.
If you are a writer, reader or fan, we dare you to have more fun at a festival this summer.
About the Festival
Held in Calgary, Alberta, every August, When Words Collide is Canada’s largest multi-genre, writer/reader/fan/ festival. Meet artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, children’s books, poetry, and more, from across Canada and the world.
When Words Collide supports writers in the craft and business of writing, exploring all avenues of the writing process, publishing and storytelling, while building a strong literary community. We love to bring local writers (Alberta and Canada) to the attention of book lovers.