Hello readers, it’s the team behind the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival — and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to tell you about our exciting upcoming events.
This year marks the 38th annual Eden Mills Writers’ Festival. From September 18-20th, we will be highlighting 45+ Canadian and Indigenous authors of fiction, non-fiction and poetry for book lovers of all ages. You can expect vital conversations about the environment, community and the arts by the river; workshops and panels that dig into writers’ craft with celebrated authors and free events with Wellington Library and Guelph Public Library. This year’s theme is “Come Curious. Leave Inspired,” and this year’s events invite you to do just that.
September 18th and 19th will be filled with workshops for writers and creative thinkers. We are also hosting a 19+ opening night event on September 19th at the Art Gallery of Guelph, where Syrus Marcus Ware and Niigaan Sinclair will explore the role of art in activism and communicating difficult truths. We mean to start as we go on — celebrating the critical importance of human creativity in today’s world. Find out more and register today at edenmillswritersfestival.ca/workshops-2026.
Our street festival on Sunday, September 20th takes place in the town of Eden Mills, just 10 minutes outside of Guelph. There will be 16 panel discussions across four stages from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., as well as a dedicated children’s area with storytelling, crafts and activities. As always, readers will have a chance to meet their favourite authors and have their books signed on-site. We will also have lawn games, a marketplace for independent publishers and artisans and lots of amazing food. You can see this year’s featured authors at edenmillswritersfestival.ca/featured-writers-2026 and tickets can be purchased online at edenmillswritersfestival.ca/tickets.
Last but not least, brand new for 2026, we are introducing a FREE outdoor event in collaboration with Guelph Public Library. Riverside Read is a free, all-ages drop-in event taking place in Riverside Park on August 15th from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. All you need to bring is a blanket or chair, a book and yourself. For those looking for something new, the library’s Bookmobile will be onsite all day! You can expect bookish lawn games, ice cream flavours inspired by literary classics and lots of fun outdoors enjoying our beautiful community.
You can register for this FREE event at https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bo2opB2fK/ or simply pop in anytime!
We look forward to seeing you at whichever events you choose to attend this year! Questions? Please reach out to [email protected].
Happy reading,
Eden Mills Writers Festival Team
