CONTEST: Win Tickets to Vancouver Writers Fest 2026

The Vancouver Writers Fest returns this October for a bigger-than-ever bash of literary excellence, featuring over 90 events and 150-plus authors from 23 countries on Granville Island.

Expanded by a day to accommodate even more authors and conversations that matter — including an electrifying special event with international bestseller Barbara Kingsolver on Oct. 18 — this year's festival will take place from Oct. 18 to 25, featuring the theme of “Read, Resist, Repair, Renew.”

In response to the accelerating economic and political threats aimed at Canada from south of the border, the festival has programmed urgent conversations about what we can do to defend Canadian democracy and sovereignty.

In “Roundtable on Canadian Sovereignty” (69), Andrew Coyne, Patrick Lennox and Carol Off take the stage to address the external and internal risks we face and discuss opportunities to strengthen our nation.

Jason Stanley (77), a former Yale University professor now teaching at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, probes present-day authoritarian movements through the lessons we’ve learned from historical fascist regimes.

Carol Off returns for the closing night (93) with an illuminating conversation about the expansive possibilities for our country’s future, based on her book True Patriot Love.

Vancouver readers will have the chance to hear from 2025 Booker Prize winner David Szalay (42), along with nominees for this year’s prestigious international prize: Douglas Stuart at “An Evening with the Scots” (65) and “Marlon James in Conversation” (47).

A perennial favourite, the opening night event at Vancouver Playhouse, “Grand Openings” (01), hosted by Elamin Abdelmahmoud, invites esteemed authors and leading thinkers Ayad Akhtar, Cory Doctorow, Tayari Jones, Ruth Ozeki, Ece Temelkuran, John Vaillant, Jesse Wente and Jody Wilson-Raybould to present sequential talks reflecting on the essential themes at the heart of this year’s festival.

The full lineup of events is now available on the festival website, or local Tyee readers can pick up a printed program guide on Granville Island, at bookstores, libraries, local JJ Bean locations and other venues across Metro Vancouver.

In celebration of the 39th Vancouver Writers Fest, they are giving away a pair of tickets to three Tyee readers! Events must be youth or standard events occurring during Festival Week.

Enter to win below.

About Vancouver Writers Fest

The Vancouver Writers Fest is one of the largest premier literary festivals in North America. Now in its 39th year, the not-for-profit welcomes more than 25,000 audience members to its events year-round and during the flagship, weeklong festival in October. More than 7,000 of these patrons are students.

In addition to both free and paid-for onstage author events all year round, the Writers Fest also offers a Digital Festival, podcast and educational programming opportunities including author visits to schools, writers-in-residence and a story competition.

Ticket information: Standard events are $28, all-inclusive. This does not include the Grand Openings ($45), An Evening with Colin James ($35), Lyrics Night ($45), the Literary Cabaret ($55), Food for Thought ($55) or Afternoon Tea ($55). Youth events are $12. Accessibility pricing is available.