Events

When: Sunday, October 19, 2025 @ 3 to 4:30 pm
Where: Citadel Theatre (Zeidler Hall), 9828 - 101A Ave, Edmonton
Tickets: $5 (student/low income), $15 (regular)

“A city is not alive without its people. Where there are people, there are stories and art. Where there are stories and art, there are opportunities to learn from each other, and expand our knowledge and experiences.”

LitFest is thrilled to bring you a selection of readings from Edmonton Heritage Stories: A collection of stories on crossings, courage, and community, which pulls together heritage stories from the perspectives of people who acknowledge or identify with the the following heritage: China, Germany, Japan, Nepal, Philippines, Poland and Ukraine.

Featuring: Ryan Lacanilao, Oliver Rossier, Roxanne Reimer (with musical accompaniment by Emry – Bejing Opera), Paul Fujishige, Rabbits Three c/o Carley Okamura (Japanese Drums), William Wang, Ying (Cathy) Shi (with accompaniment from the Chinese Seniors Band/Edmonton Small Band for Seniors), Mila Bonco-Philipzig (with accompaniment from Kulintang traditional drums)

Host: Ryan Lacanilao

For more information please visit: https://litfestalberta.org/events/

This year’s memoir hour panel features three stories of incredible journeys.

When: Sunday, October 19, 2025 @ 1 to 2:30 pm
Where: Citadel Theatre (Zeidler Hall), 9828 - 101A Ave, Edmonton
Tickets: $5 (student/low income), $15 (regular)

Featuring: 

Meltdown: The Making and Breaking of a Field Scientist by Sarah Boon

The Migrant Rain Falls in Reverse: A Memoir by Vinh Nguyen

Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage by Dan Rubenstein

For more information please visit: https://litfestalberta.org/events/

When: Sunday, October 19, 2025 @ 12 to 2 pm
Where: Location TBD
Tickets: $15

Invite experimentation and spontaneity into your writing practice with My Weird Life. This writing workshop is designed for memoir, narrative poetry and autofiction writers, though it can be adapted to any form of personally-rooted writing. Writers in all stages of their practice are welcome.

The workshop structure includes generative freewriting prompts, short sample readings from Amber Dawn’s body-of-work, craft mini-lectures and discussion. Space is limited to 20 writers and registration is mandatory. Come with a notebook, laptop or other writing device and be ready to do some outside-of-the box writing.

For more information please visit: https://litfestalberta.org/events/

This year’s Brunch and Learn features a panel of books each focusing on ideas and themes related to wellness, well-being, recovery and healing.

This event will be catered by Edmonton chef Holly Holt 

Featuring: Chyana Marie Sage, Quill Christie-Peters and Kate J. Neville
Moderator: Anna Marie Sewell

When: Sunday, October 19, 2025 @12 to 1:30 pm
Where: Citadel Theatre (Schoctor Theatre Lobby), 9828 101A Ave 
Tickets: $30

For more information please visit: https://litfestalberta.org/events/

Join Edmonton Arts Council on Sunday, October 19 at Boa & Hare, 127 – 10520 97 St NW, located in Pacific Mall for The Poetry of Public Art, presented with LitFest. Event begins at 10:30am.

Join us for a celebration of public art and poetry, as we mark 30 years of the Edmonton Arts Council and the addition of the 300th public artwork to the City of Edmonton Public Art Collection with a month of 300@30 activities and events!

Mary Burlie was a force of compassion, devoting her life to lifting up others. Known lovingly as the ​“Black Angel of Boyle Street”, she served on the front lines of inner-city Edmonton, offering food, shelter, support, and above all, dignity to those most in need.

As part of the City of Edmonton’s revitalization project of Mary Burlie Park in downtown Edmonton, the Edmonton Arts Council has selected three local poets to create poetry that will be incorporated into the park design. In advance of the park opening in 2026, join Edmonton Arts Council, the family of Mary Burlie, and poets Titilope Sonuga, Naomi McIlwraith, and Cui Jinzhe for a morning of stories and spellbinding poetry.

This event is free to attend, but please pre-register to reserve your spot.

If you require ASL interpretation or other access considerations in order to attend this event, please email support@​edmontonarts.​ca and we will do our best to accommodate you.

For more information please visit: https://litfestalberta.org/events/