Lakefield Literary Festival announces 2026 lineup of Canadian authors
By Stacey Sullivan
The Lakefield Literary Festival has announced its 2026 summer lineup, featuring a range of acclaimed Canadian authors and literary voices set to take the stage in July.
The festival will open Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m. with “Looking Back, Facing Forward,” a conversation between Plum Johnson and Merilyn Simonds. Drawing from two distinct works that explore women’s intimate lives, the discussion will reflect on experience, choice, passion and expectations through the lens of aging. This event will be moderated by Poet Laureate and 2023 Canadian Bookclub Award Winner, Hollay Ghadery.
Programming continues Saturday, July 18 at 10 a.m. with the popular Children's Tent in Cenotaph Park. The theme this year is “Imagination Ignited,” and will feature children's authors Loretta Garbutt and Marcus Cutler. The Children's Tent is free to attend.
The always popular Children’s Tent returns to Cenotaph Park on Saturday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m. (Photo: Vanessa Stark, Lakefield Literary Festival)
On Saturday at 3 p.m., “One Day Wonder” will bring together 2025 Giller Prize winner Souvankham Thammavongsa and Kate Cayley for a discussion on how a single 24-hour period can shape a lifetime. This event will be moderated by Order of Canada recipient Charles Foran.
Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with writers during a “Meet the Author” reception at 5 p.m., featuring all participating authors. Guests will also enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a wine and beer cash bar.
Attendees have the opportunity to connect with writers during the “Meet the Author” reception on Saturday, July 18, 5:00 p.m. at Lakefield College School. (Photo: Vanessa Stark, Lakefield Literary Festival)
The festival will conclude Saturday evening at 7 p.m. with “Light Hearts,” an event focused on humour and storytelling with Terry Fallis and Rod Carley. The discussion will be moderated by bestselling author and Northern Lit Award winner, Amy Jones.
Festival events, with the exception of the Children's Tent, will take place at Lakefield College School.
Tickets and festival passes are now available online at www.lakefieldliteraryfestival.com or in person at Happenstance Books and Yarns, 44 Queen Street in Lakefield.