Welcome to the 29th Annual Winnipeg Book Festival! (formerly known as THIN AIR)

This year Plume Winnipeg, the non-profit organization that creates reading and writing-inspired events and programs
– including the annual fall literary festival – has undergone a lot of changes.
We have a new team, and a new festival energy bringing new and familiar festival events to our communities.

The Winnipeg Book Festival takes place over 4 days at The Forks in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, on October 1 – 4, 2026.
We have 25+ events and activities throughout the 4 days with something for everyone.
All events are FREE except 2, and all are welcome!

click here to Register for all BookFest events

Winnipeg Book Festival Event by Event Schedule DAY 1

click here to Register for all BookFest events

Winnipeg Book Festival Event by Event Schedule DAY 2

click here to Register for all BookFest events

Winnipeg Book Festival Event by Event Schedule DAY 3

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Winnipeg Book Festival Event by Event Schedule DAY 4

click here to Register for all BookFest events
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Browse Our Series

Find out more about all the programming we do! 

Speaking Crow

Speaking Crow is our monthly poetry open mic series happening the first Tuesday of the month. Most gatherings kick off with a reading from a Manitoba poet, followed by an open mic. Most of our meetings are in person, but we also have lively international gatherings online several times each year. Bring your poems for three minutes at the mic! 

More About This Series

Writes of Spring

Writes of Spring is our April collaboration with Ariel Gordon and the Free Press, celebrating National Poetry Month. An annual open submission results in a curated group of original poems published in the Free Press with a public launch. 

More About This Series

View All Series

Our Supporters

Contribute

Want to lend a hand to a feisty non-profit with big dreams? 

Donate

You love books. We love books. We believe that books and ideas deserve to circulate freely and that healthy exchange is at the heart of healthy communities. That belief underscores our determination to present events which are low cost or free. Please support our efforts to keep our year-round programming open to all! We’re a registered non-profit with a great record of fiscal responsibility, and will put your gift to good use. Donate now. You’ll receive a tax receipt along with an extra helping of gratitude from all of us! 

Make A Donation!

Volunteer

Volunteers are the backbone of public events, and we treasure ours! If you are outgoing, fun, love to read, and just want to give a little something back to your community, you might be a perfect fit for us. Take a moment to register in our volunteer portal and let us get to know you! 

Apply Here!
This is an awesome festival! I love that it raises awareness about reading and writing, keeping the arts alive.
– THIN AIR audience memberCompany Name
Canada is blessed with a healthy literary circulatory system and Plume Winnipeg is one of the ventricles at the heart of it.
– Corina Eberle, Douglas & McIntyre PublicistCompany Name
Plume Winnipeg challenges, excites and pushes me out of my reading comfort zone, opening a big wide world where I can engage with words, ideas and stories (and the people who write them) in fun and inspiring ways that genuinely change the way I look at the world–and my own community.
– Joanne Kelly, Creative Communications instructor at Red River Polytechnic & book reviewer/enthusiastCompany Name
Candid, passionate, insightful—so ​lovely to hear authors share their passions and world perspectives.
– THIN AIR audience memberCompany Name
Merveilleux! Très intime et intéressant! Merci!
– Membre de l’audience de Livres en fêteCompany Name
THIN AIR is one of the most exciting and diverse literary festivals I’ve been a part of, from year to year. They’ve got a great team, and a great vision.
– David A Robertson, award-winning Canadian writerCompany Name
THIN AIR is rich air! Even as an online participant, I enjoyed feeling like I was part of this literary hubbub in and from Winnipeg.
– Erín Moure, award-winning Canadian poet and translatorCompany Name
Candid, passionate, insightful—so ​lovely to hear authors share their passions and world perspectives.
– THIN AIR audience memberCompany Name
As a writer, reader and presenter, I’ve enjoyed THIN AIR events for years. From outdoor readings to seeing Margaret Atwood on stage to live readings and panel discussions, there’s an endless list of experiences made possible by the hard work, creativity and enthusiasm of the team.
– Colleen Nelson, award-winning Canadian children’s authorCompany Name
Serendipity. Right place, right time. (My guardian angel and internal GPS were working correctly!
– THIN AIR audience memberCompany Name

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