Eden Mills Writers’ Festival enters 38th year
EDEN MILLS – The Eden Mills Writers’ Festival is gearing up for its 38th year, celebrating new, established and aspiring authors in the community.
“We mean to go on in terms of celebrating human creativity and what it can do for us and our communities,” said festival artistic director Kali Pearson.
This year’s festival is set to take place Sept. 18 to 20, offering programming in and around Wellington County – including Rockwood, Guelph, Eden Mills and Acton.
The festival will kick off Sept. 18 with writing workshops, followed by an opening night event at the Art Gallery of Guelph.
Artist and activist Syrus Marcus Ware and Anishinaabe professor and writer Niigaan Sinclair will join author Zalika Reid-Benta for a conversation exploring how art can inspire social change.
There will also be a variety of virtual workshops available throughout the weekend.
Workshops continue into day two, as well as author talks, and other literary activities at various locations around Guelph, Rockwood and Acton.
The final day of the festival will see the village of Eden Mills transform into a pedestrian-only street festival with outdoor readings, panel discussions, book signing and conversations between readers and authors.
“It’s a chance to really unplug and sit down and listen to an interesting, nuanced conversation and then talk to the authors after,” said Pearson.
Visitors can also explore local makers at the sip and shop market, food trucks, an open mic stage and the Robert Munsch Children’s Area, with storytelling and hands-on activities for young readers and their families.
“Kids seeing actual real live authors … can really be a life changing experience for them,” said Pearson.
Visitors will also have a chance to hear from new writers, with winners of Read at the Fringe 2026 writing contest reading their winning entries.
For a full festival directory, tickets, as well as links to register for online workshops, visit edenmillswritersfestival.ca/festival-sunday/festival-schedule.
