2026 schedule announcement

IT'S FINALLY HERE!

FULL SCHEDULE

We can not even with this year's festival. 

We are so delighted to introduce you to the full lineup for WHEN WORDS COLLIDE 2026. 

We've got lectures from your favourites; workshops from new and exciting presenters; masterclasses from Special Guests and legends; so many panel discussions on inspiring and intriguing topics you won't know where to start. We've got an expanded and enriched Games Room experience. And so many keynotes we've got THREENOTES and TWONOTES! Plus a ridiculously entertaining rock opera from Canadian comedy legend Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall). Yes. A full rock opera. Get your Showcase tickets now because we are eating at the Hyatt, y'all! 

SPECIAL FEATURE THIS YEAR: For those of you joining us with your writer's groups and roundtables, for the first time we have gorgeous meeting rooms available to self-book and meet on site away from the fray. More info on how to book an informal spot for your team coming soon. 

SPECIAL NOTE ON MASTERCLASSES, BLUE PENCILS, AND PITCH SESSION:
These are all in the hopper, but we were so excited to show you the goods, we're publishing the schedule now; registrations for all these special session will be coming soon we promise! 

GET INVOLVED: If you're looking to get the best of the fest and also be part of the incredible community that keeps WHEN WORDS COLLIDE from truly colliding; please consider volunteering. VISIT OUR  VOLUNTEER PAGE FOR MORE, OR REACH OUT TO [email protected]

BUT ENOUGH STALLING! Check out our full schedule here. Whether you're a writer, reader, or fan, there's something for everyone at WHEN WORDS COLLIDE - Calgary's most fun, multi-genre, hands-on summer literary festival. 

FULL SCHEDULE