The Word On The Street (WOTS) is Canada’s largest book and magazine festival, bringing together readers, writers, publishers, bookstores, and literary organizations in a vibrant, community-focused marketplace. At the heart of the festival, the Marketplace offers exhibitors a unique opportunity to connect directly with highly engaged audiences, showcase new and established titles, and be part of a national celebration of reading, storytelling, and ideas.
Exhibitor fees support WOTS as a registered non-profit charitable organization, helping to sustain a high-quality, free, and accessible festival experience for the public. These contributions directly support festival operations, programming, accessibility initiatives, and opportunities for independent and community-based exhibitors to participate.
Festival Dates
September 26-27, 2026
11-6pm – Saturday, September 26
10-5pm – Sunday, September 27
Location
David Pecaut Square
215 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 3C7
Exhibitor Registration Deadlines
Early Bird: Jan 15 – Feb 27
Regular: Feb 28 – May 31
Late: June 1 – July 31
Founded in 1989, The Word On The Street is one of Canada’s longest-running and most beloved literary festivals. Each year, WOTS welcomes more than 130,000 visitors for two full days of free programming that celebrates books, magazines, literacy, and storytelling in all its forms.
The festival features three main stages of programming, presenting author talks, panel discussions, readings, and family-friendly activities with leading Canadian and Indigenous voices. In addition to on-stage programming, WOTS offers dedicated areas for children and youth, literacy organizations, and community partners, creating an inclusive and dynamic cultural experience for audiences of all ages.
WOTS is committed to accessibility, equity, and community engagement, ensuring the festival remains open and welcoming to everyone while supporting the growth and visibility of Canada’s literary ecosystem.
Canada’s largest book and magazine festival offers unparalleled opportunities to:
Audience Habits
Gender
Age
This category is for bookstores whose primary business is the retail sale of books and magazines, including independent, specialty, and community-focused retailers. Bookstores play a vital role in Canada’s literary ecosystem, and WOTS is committed to supporting booksellers as both cultural hubs and businesses.
New in 2026: Accepted bookstores may promote in-store events in the lead-up to the festival through the WOTS newsletter (details provided upon acceptance and payment).
This category is for companies whose primary business is the publishing and/or distribution of print or electronic books, including independent and established publishers and distributors representing one or more imprints.
New in 2026: Publishers and distributors can promote new releases in the lead-up to the festival through the festival newsletter.
This category is for companies publishing or distributing print or electronic editions of one or more magazines. A magazine is defined as a printed, bound periodical with a circulation of at least 1,000 copies per issue and a publishing frequency of at least twice per year.
See also specialty section options under Magazine Mews.
This category is for non-commercial, community-focused organizations whose work supports literacy, the arts, education, or the broader literary ecosystem. These include registered not-for-profit or charitable organizations.
Note: Literacy-based charities should apply through the Literacy Lane specialty section for eligibility and booth benefits.
This category is for industry associations, guilds, or collectives representing writers, publishers, or other literary professionals. Associations typically promote member initiatives and professional resources, support industry engagement and public outreach, and share information on advocacy, training, or membership opportunities.
Note: Writing groups and author collectives seeking shared exhibitor space should apply through Writer’s Block.
This category is for public, academic, and community libraries, as well as educational institutions participating as non-commercial exhibitors focused on outreach, literacy promotion, and audience engagement.
This category is for retailers offering non-book merchandise that complements the festival’s creative, literary, and community-focused atmosphere.
Who is this is for
This category is for individuals or small businesses offering educational programming, skill-building, or experiential learning related to writing, publishing, or storytelling.
Who is this for
Note: This category is not eligible for subsidized space. Exhibitors may purchase Interior Booths and larger
WOTS offers opportunities for food vendors and food trucks to provide festival-goers with a diverse, high-quality culinary experience. Participation is by application only and subject to approval.
Key Information:
Reserved for registered charitable organizations whose primary mandate is literacy-based work (reading, writing, publishing access, language learning, literacy education).
A curated area for single-title magazines and newspapers, with a focus on independent and small-to-mid-sized publishers.
Individuals exhibiting their own work, whether traditionally published or self-published.
A shared area for member-based writing groups and author collectives.
A themed area highlighting art books, poetry, spoken word, comics, graphic novels and alternative storytelling, offered under the same booth options, pricing, and terms as the Independent Author category.
Companies providing marketing, publicity, or promotional services for books, authors, or publishers.
Subletting your space is not permitted, unless otherwise agreed in writing by festival organizers under exceptional circumstances.
Exceptions: Writing groups/collectives sharing space and splitting costs as part of Writers Block.
| Booth Space | Early Bird Rate Jan 15-Feb 27 | Regular Rate Feb 28-May 31 | Late Rate June 1-July 31 | Booth Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Exhibitors | ||||
| Deluxe Booth | $6,000 | $6,600 | $7,260 | 400sq/ft 8 8' tables, 4 chairs |
| Large Booth | $3,000 | $3,300 | $3,630 | 200sq/ft 4 8' tables, 3 chairs |
| Standard Full Booth | $2,500 | $2,750 | $3,025 | 100sq/ft 3 6' tables, 2 chairs, 3 open sides |
| Standard Corner Booth | $2,100 | $2,310 | $2,541 | 100sq/ft 1 8' table, 1 6' table, 2 chairs, 2 open sides |
| Standard Interior Booth | $1,500 | $1,760 | $1,936 | 100sq/ft 1 8' table, 2 chairs, 1 open side |
| Subsidized Exhibitors (Indie Alley, Writer's Block, Magazine Mews, Fringe Beat) | ||||
| Half Booth | $800 | $850 | $900 | 1 8' table, 1 chair |
| Micro Booth | $350 | $400 | $450 | Half 8' table, 1 chair |
| Literacy Lane | ||||
| Half Booth | Free | Free | Free | 1 8' table, 1 chair |
Rates are for the full two days (September 26-27) of the festival. We do not offer single-day rates.
Please note that as a registered charity, The Word On The Street does not charge HST.
Add-ons: 8′ table – $30, 6′ table – $25, chair – $5, wifi – FREE, power – inquire for rates
Yes. WOTS has accessible spaces and continually improves to ensure all programming is 100% accessible.
Yes, the festival proceeds regardless of rain. We continuously monitor weather conditions and may pause or adjust activities if necessary, following our Emergency Weather Management Plan to ensure the safety of exhibitors, staff, and attendees.
Registration is divided into Early Bird, Regular, and Late deadlines. (Early Bird ends February 27, Regular Rates are available February 28 until May 31, Late Rates begin June 1 until July 31.)
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Approved applications will receive an invoice. Confirmed space is only guaranteed once the invoice has been paid in full.
We do this because demand for certain categories—especially Independent Authors—exceeds the available space. Please do not apply if you are unable to pay your invoice promptly, as unpaid spaces may be offered to waitlisted applicants.
Exhibitor fees are based on booth size, category, and infrastructure needs. Fees cover Marketplace costs such as tents, tables, chairs, security, EMS, sanitation, and essential festival operations. Pricing is designed to reflect actual costs, not to generate profit.
General discounts are no longer offered. Instead, we have adjusted and lowered pricing across several categories to better reflect actual costs and reduce barriers to participation wherever possible. This approach allows us to keep pricing fair and transparent while ensuring essential festival infrastructure, safety, and services are fully covered.
Subsidized spaces are reserved for eligible categories such as Independent Authors, Writing Collectives (Writer’s Block), and Literacy Lane organizations, made possible through donations to the festival. This ensures support is directed where it has the greatest impact, while maintaining a high-quality experience for all exhibitors and audiences
Yes! Independent authors are welcome to apply for any size of booth or table that suits their needs. The subsidized Micro- or Half-Booth options are simply one way to participate at a lower cost, but you may choose a Standard, Large, or Deluxe Booth space if you prefer.
Booth sharing or subletting is only allowed with prior written approval from WOTS. Exceptions include Writer’s Block groups splitting costs as part of their collective space.
All exhibitors must follow the WOTS Code of Conduct, promoting respectful, inclusive, and professional behavior. Harassment, discrimination, misrepresentation, or unsafe conduct is not permitted.
Yes. Exhibitors may be removed if their behavior or activities conflict with festival values, safety requirements, or Marketplace integrity.
Any use of the WOTS name or logo requires approval and must follow festival brand guidelines.
We consider two main audience types: children/families and adult-focused programming. Exhibitors can indicate if they would like to be placed in the kids/family area. Beyond that, we organize spaces by genre whenever possible, though final placement depends on the number of exhibitors in each category. We also take into account booth size, category, and exhibitor fees when assigning spaces to ensure a balanced and fair layout.
We heard this feedback and are transforming the Marketplace layout to create more intuitive browsing zones. The goal is to make it easy for visitors to navigate, explore all areas, and enjoy the festival for a full day—or return on both days—without feeling crowded or rushed.
Yes. Nearby options include:
Yes. WOTS works with the Chelsea Hotel and can provide preferred rates and booking details. Contact Kim Robinson at kim@thewordonthestreet.ca for more details.
Yes. Advertising options are available in February, with exclusive discounts for confirmed exhibitors.
Please contact Kim Robinson at kim@thewordonthestreet.ca to explore opportunities.
Please contact Kim Robinson at kim@thewordonthestreet.ca to discuss activation opportunities.
We’ve re-evaluated all categories and spaces to create fair pricing reflecting actual costs for infrastructure, emergency services, and festival operations. Micro-Booths for Independent Authors are back, reducing costs while maintaining visibility. Subsidized spaces are reserved for eligible independent authors, writing collectives, small magazine publishers, and Literacy Lane charities.
Literacy Lane is reserved for registered charitable literacy organizations. Other non-profits may still apply for a standard exhibitor space.
Refund eligibility is based on clear deadlines outlined in the Terms. After the stated deadline, fees are non-refundable due to costs incurred in planning and producing the Festival.
As a non-profit charitable organization, exhibitor fees support direct Festival Marketplace delivery costs, including:
Fees vary by booth size, category, and infrastructure needs. Larger booths and publisher/bookstore categories require additional staffing and equipment.
For questions about exhibiting at The Word On The Street, including inquiries about our waitlist, please email exhibitors@thewordonthestreet.ca.
For festival sponsorship inquiries, please contact Kim Robinson at kim@thewordonthestreet.ca
