Lakefield Literary Festival

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Lakefield Literary Festival

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The Lakefield Literary Festival is a cherished annual event that honours the magic of literature in Canada.

For over 30 years, it has provided a platform for Canadian writers and readers to connect and exchange ideas.

10/31/2026

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! 🎉

We’re thrilled to celebrate Kate Cayley and Canisia Lubrin, who have both been named finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Awards!

We were honoured to welcome Canisia to the Lakefield Literary Festival in 2025, and her book The World After Rain has been nominated in the Poetry category.

We also had the pleasure of welcoming Kate to the Festival this past year, and her book Property has been named a finalist in the Fiction category.

We’re so proud to have had the opportunity to welcome these remarkable writers to Lakefield and celebrate their work with our literary community.

Congratulations, Kate and Canisia! What wonderful recognition of your writing. ❤️

10/15/2026

SOLD OUT!

We’re so excited to share that our evening with Natalie MacMaster and Megan Murphy is now sold out!

Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and helped make this evening of stories, conversation and music such a special one.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Lakefield United Church on November 14.

See you there!

If you didn’t get a chance to join us this time, keep following along for more literary events and conversations to come.

10/15/2026

Every life has stories behind the stories.

In I Have a Love Story, Natalie MacMaster looks back on the journey that took her from Cape Breton to the world stage, her life in music, meeting fellow fiddler Donnell Leahy, and raising seven children while building an extraordinary career.

On November 14, she’ll bring those stories to Lakefield.

Join Natalie in conversation with Megan Murphy for an evening that goes beyond the biography and into the experiences, people and moments that shaped her life.

And yes, there will be music.

November 14 | 7:00 p.m.
Lakefield United Church

Update: Tickets are currently SOLD OUT. But continue to follow our socials for more literary opportunities!

10/08/2026

Natalie MacMaster has spent decades bringing Cape Breton fiddle music to audiences around the world.

She received her first fiddle at nine, released her first recording at sixteen and has gone on to become one of Canada’s best-known fiddle players, with two JUNO Awards and countless performances around the world.

But on November 14, we’re going to hear more than the highlights of a remarkable musical career.

Through conversation with Megan Murphy, Natalie will share the stories behind the music and the experiences that shaped her new book, I Have a Love Story.

And she’ll bring her music with her.

November 14 | 7:00 p.m.
Lakefield United Church

10/04/2026

On November 14, we’re welcoming the extraordinary Natalie MacMaster to Lakefield for an evening of stories and songs.

Natalie will join moderator Megan Murphy for a conversation inspired by her new book, I Have a Love Story, sharing stories from her life, her music, her family and the journey that has taken her from Cape Breton to stages around the world.

And, of course, there will be music.

Saturday, November 14
7:00 p.m.
Lakefield United Church

Tickets are $30 and available through www.lakefieldliteraryfestival.com or at Happenstance Books & Yarns.

Come for the stories. Stay for the music.

10/02/2026

An Evening of Stories and Songs with Natalie MacMaster

Get ready for a special evening of music, storytelling, and conversation with celebrated Canadian fiddler and author nataliemacmasterofficial!

Joining us on Saturday, November 14, Natalie will share stories and insights inspired by her new book, I Have a Love Story, in conversation with Megan Murphy.

Stories inspired by a remarkable life
Music from one of Canada’s celebrated fiddlers
An intimate conversation with meganmurphyltd

📍 Lakefield United Church
🗓️ Saturday, November 14 | 7 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: $30

Tickets are available online at lakefieldliteraryfestival.com or in person at Happenstance Books & Yarns.

Bring a friend and join us for an unforgettable evening of stories and songs!

10/01/2026

Celebrating Canadian Library Month

Libraries are where stories find their readers, ideas take root, and communities come together.

This October, we’re celebrating our partnership with selwyn_public_library and the important role libraries play in fostering a love of reading, connecting readers with authors, and making literature accessible to all.

We’re grateful to work alongside a community library that shares our passion for stories, learning, and connection.

Here’s to the libraries that bring us together, all year long.

09/30/2026

🧡 Listening. Learning. Remembering.

On September 30, we honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by remembering the children who never returned home from residential schools, the Survivors, their families, and communities.

Stories have the power to deepen understanding, amplify voices, and remind us of our responsibilities to one another.

As a literary community, may we continue to listen, learn, and take meaningful action toward reconciliation, today and every day.
🧡 Every Child Matters.

09/24/2026

We're thrilled to celebrate Waubgeshig Rice as Trent University's Margaret Laurence Writer in Residence this fall!

Local readers can catch his public talk in Peterborough on October 8. And we can't wait to see what comes from his next book, a nonfiction essay collection.

Congratulations, Waub!

Address

Lakefield, ON

Website

http://www.lakefieldliteraryfestival.com/

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