The Festival International de la Littérature, known as FIL, returns to Montreal from September 27 to October 21, 2026. It is a festival devoted to the written and spoken word, held in a city whose bilingual and multicultural character gives the event its particular flavour.
What to expect
The festival brings together readings, conversations and performances, placing authors and curious readers in the same rooms. Visitors who enjoy hearing a writer speak about their work, or who like listening to a text read aloud, will find the programme built around exactly that kind of encounter.
- Readings by authors presenting their own writing
- Conversations that invite questions from the audience
- Performances that turn literature into live experience
Why Montreal suits a literary festival
Montreal is known for its bilingual, multicultural spirit, and a festival about words reflects that setting well. Because the events are spread across the city, a visit can also be a chance to walk between venues, stop for a meal, and see the neighbourhoods that surround each session.
Is it for you?
If you are travelling in autumn and enjoy books, ideas or spoken performance, the festival offers a reason to plan your days around a few evenings or afternoons of listening. Visitors who prefer quiet sightseeing may still enjoy dipping into a single event as part of a wider stay. Check the festival's own listings closer to the date for the specific programme, times and locations.