Fraser River Literary Festival brings 32 authors to Coquitlam and New Westminster through November 8
Coquitlam Public Library and New Westminster Public Library have launched the first Fraser River Literary Festival, running November 1 to 8 with 24 events, 32 local authors, and two gala evenings. Most events are free.
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Coquitlam Public Library and New Westminster Public Library have launched the first Fraser River Literary Festival, running through November 8 with 32 local authors and 24 events across both cities, Freshet News reported on November 3.
The festival runs November 1 to 8, 2026. Events take place at library branches, bookstores, theatres, and businesses in Coquitlam and New Westminster. The program includes book launches, workshops, readings, open mic nights, and panel discussions.
What the festival offers
Caitlin MacRae, a programming librarian at New Westminster Public Library, told Freshet News the festival is "an opportunity for everyone not only to listen and celebrate local authors but also to learn and participate too."
Each library runs 12 events. Most are free.
Theresa McManus, a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, covered the festival for Freshet News on November 3, 2026.
The gala events
Two gala evenings anchor the week.
The Writer's Chair runs on Thursday, November 5 at Anvil Centre in New Westminster. Booker Prize-nominated author Maria Reva joins JJ Lee in conversation. The event is free.
Cocktails and Conversations takes place on Saturday, November 7 at Evergreen Arts. Authors Janie Chang, Tanya Boteju, and Katrina Kwan take part, with Ryan Murphy moderating. Tickets are $20 and registration is required.
How to attend
The full event listing and registration are at coqlibrary.ca/frlf/. The festival runs until November 8, 2026. Most events are free to attend; the Saturday gala requires a $20 ticket and registration.
The festival is a joint effort by Coquitlam Public Library and New Westminster Public Library. It is the first time the two libraries have run a joint literary festival. The full schedule, including registration links for each event, is at coqlibrary.ca/frlf/. Registration is required for the Saturday gala; most other events across both cities do not require it.
Questions this story answers
What is the Fraser River Literary Festival?
The Fraser River Literary Festival is a new event run jointly by Coquitlam Public Library and New Westminster Public Library. It runs November 1 to 8, 2026, with 24 events and 32 local authors across library branches, bookstores, theatres, and businesses in both cities, according to Freshet News.
Where can I find a full list of events?
The full event listing and registration information are at coqlibrary.ca/frlf/, according to Freshet News. The festival runs at library branches, bookstores, theatres, and businesses in both Coquitlam and New Westminster, and most events are free to attend.
Are the events free?
Most events are free. The Saturday gala, Cocktails and Conversations at Evergreen Arts on November 7, requires a $20 ticket and registration, according to the Freshet News report. The Thursday gala, The Writer's Chair at Anvil Centre in New Westminster on November 5, is free. All other events across both libraries are also free.
What kinds of events are in the festival?
The festival includes book launches, workshops, readings, open mic events, and panel discussions, according to Freshet News. Events run at library branches, bookstores, theatres, and businesses in both Coquitlam and New Westminster. Each library runs 12 events, and most are free to attend.
Who are the featured authors at the gala events?
The Thursday gala, The Writer's Chair at Anvil Centre in New Westminster on November 5, features Booker Prize-nominated author Maria Reva in conversation with JJ Lee, and is free. The Saturday gala at Evergreen Arts on November 7 features authors Janie Chang, Tanya Boteju, and Katrina Kwan, moderated by Ryan Murphy, with a $20 ticket, according to Freshet News.
How many events are part of the festival?
There are 24 events in total, with 12 events at Coquitlam Public Library locations and 12 at New Westminster Public Library locations, according to Freshet News. The events include book launches, workshops, readings, open mic nights, and panel discussions, and they take place at library branches, bookstores, theatres, and businesses across both cities.
When does the festival end?
The festival runs until November 8, 2026, according to the Freshet News report published November 3. It started on November 1, 2026, and runs for eight days across Coquitlam and New Westminster. The full schedule and registration for each event are listed at coqlibrary.ca/frlf/.
Who reported this?
Freshet News reporter Theresa McManus, a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, reported this on November 3, 2026. The story covers the full festival program including both gala events, the 32 local authors taking part, and registration details. The original report is at freshetnews.ca.
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