The Festival of Literary Diversity Registering for FOLD 2025
The 2025 Festival of Literary Diversity will run from April 27 – May 4. Events from April 27 – 30 will be presented on our interactive virtual platform, while events May 1 – 4 will take place at Brampton’s Rose Theatre. Select in-person events will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing. Participants will be able to watch live events on-demand after they air until June 30.
Attendees at the 2025 Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) can enjoy virtual and in-person events by taking advantage of a variety of ticketing options including a virtual festival pass, an in-person-plus-virtual pass, and in-person tickets for standard and specialty events.
To see our schedule, head over to the virtual platform.
Download the vFairs app (available on Google Play and the App Store) to access the virtual platform on your mobile device.
Festival Passes
Virtual Festival Pass | $30
The virtual festival pass provides access to all of the FOLD’s virtual events, including live discussions, networking events, trivia contests, and roundtable conversations with FOLD authors. Passholders have access to the platform to watch and re-watch events on-demand and to download exhibitor resources in the virtual Exhibit Hall until June 30. Passholders may also attend the festival through the vFairs Festival App, which provides on-the-go access to all platform features.
Virtual access to the festival is also included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
Weekend at The Rose + Virtual Pass | $65
A Weekend at The Rose pass provides attendees with access to all in-person events at the Rose Theatre in Brampton for the entire weekend. It also includes everything available in the virtual festival pass.
The Weekend at The Rose pass does not include tickets to Paint & Poetry Night, Eat the Books, or A Literary High Tea at Alderlea, which must be purchased separately.
The Weekend at the Rose pass is only available until April 27.
In-Person Tickets
In-person attendees also have the option to build their own festival weekend experience by purchasing tickets to individual events. Ticket prices range from $15 CAD to $50 CAD. All events taking place at The Rose Theatre are included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
PAINT & POETRY NIGHT WITH DANIEL MALUKA | $20
Thursday, May 1, 7:30pm | Peel Art Gallery, Museum + Archive (9 Wellington Street West)
Enjoy a memorable night of painting at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives! The PAMA team will lead guests in the creation of canvas art inspired by the poetry collection Unwashed by Toronto-based poet, Daniel Maluka. No experience necessary. 14+.
Tickets only available until April 27. 
THE GREAT READCEPTION: A LITERARY CABARET | $25
Friday, May 2, 7:30pm | The Rose Theatre (1 Theatre Lane)
In this popular annual event, six authors appearing at the festival read a sample of their work accompanied by a live jazz band. Whether you’re a regular FOLD attendee, a casual or compulsive reader, or simply a lover of live entertainment, witness the power of storytelling and the magic of a live musical performance at this collaborative event featuring Brampton’s own Carmen Spada.
Included in the Weekend at The Rose pass. Tickets only available until April 27.
PUBLISHING 101: AN IN-PERSON WORKSHOP | $15
Saturday, May 3, 9:30am | The Rose Theatre (1 Theatre Lane)
Calling all aspiring authors! Join us for a morning crash course on the publishing industry and how you can get your foot in the door, led by literary agent Léonicka Valcius.
Included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS: A PANEL DISCUSSION | $15
Saturday, May 3, 11am | The Rose Theatre (1 Theatre Lane)
Difficult conversations are often the most important ones to have. In this highly-anticipated panel, moderated by CBC Bookends’ host Mattea Roach, authors Tanya Talaga, Amal Elsana Alh’jooj, and Morgan Campbell break down how to have conversations about highly divisive and often emotional topics in a constructive and uplifting way.
Included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
NOVEL IDEAS: A PANEL DISCUSSION | $15
Saturday, May 3, 2pm | The Rose Theatre (1 Theatre Lane)
Sometimes the best way to talk about something is to not talk about it. R.F. Kuang, Amanda Leduc, and Suzan Palumbo are three authors who have created fictional worlds that send powerful messages about our reality.
Included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
EAT THE BOOKS WITH OZOZ SOKOH AND SHADE LAPITE | $45
Saturday, May 3, 5:30pm | Peel Art Gallery, Museum + Archive (9 Wellington Street West)
Books and food have a lot in common–they both provide life-giving sustenance. In this FOLD specialty event, Nigerian-Canadian chef and author Ozoz Sokoh curates a menu based on her new cookbook. YA fantasy author Shade Lapite joins her in conversation about exploring identity, culture, and history through food.
Tickets only available until April 27. 
SPOKEN WORD SHOWCASE | $15
Saturday, May 3, 7:30pm | The Rose Theatre (1 Theatre Lane)
Spoken word host The Wild Woman returns to the Rose Studio to host an incredibly curated event of spoken word performances from Wali Shah, Lisa Shen, Patrick de Belen, and Spitty.
Included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
A LITERARY HIGH TEA AT ALDERLEA | $50
Sunday, May 4, 11am | Alderlea Manor (40 Elizabeth Street South)
The annual Sunday brunch is back! Don your Sunday best, assemble your fascinator, grab your friends, and join us for a delightful high tea with three incredible romance writers. This special-tea event includes fun trivia with incredible prizes.
Tickets only available until April 27.
SCREEN WRITING WORKSHOP WITH SALEEMA NAWAZ | $15
Sunday, May 4, 1:30pm | The Rose Theatre (1 Theatre Lane)
Author and screenwriter Saleema Nawaz will walk participants through the basics of storytelling for film and television.
Included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
BROTHER: FILM SCREENING AND AUTHOR TALK-BACK | $15
Sunday, May 4, 3pm | The Rose Theatre (1 Theatre Lane)
Join us for a screening of Brother, the film adaptation of the award-winning novel by David Chariandy, which explores the relationship of two brothers from Scarborough. Prior to the screening is a virtual talk back with the author.
Included in the Weekend at The Rose pass.
Patron Pass
The Patron Pass Program supports those who would not otherwise be able to attend the festival due to financial reasons. The program relies on generous donors from all over the world to guarantee passes for those in need.
TO DONATE A PASS: To donate a Patron Pass, please make a donation in the amount of $50 to the FOLD’s Canada Helps page.
The donation of passes is kept strictly confidential.
TO REQUEST A PASS: You can request a Patron Pass by filling out our Patron Pass Request form. Once you’ve filled out the form, you will receive information on your festival pass. If you are interested in specialty event tickets at FOLD 2025, please email info@thefoldcanada.org.
Patron Pass requests are kept strictly confidential.
