Sydney Writers' Festival
17 to 24 May 2026
Australia's largest celebration of literature, stories and ideas
Each year, Sydney Writers’ Festival presents more than 300 events, attracting audiences of up to 100,000 for a week-long conversation of books and ideas.
Our picks
SWF Great Debate: We Can’t Handle the Truth
Wild and risqué Festival favourite event returns to open Pandora’s box
State of the Art: The Booker Prize
The Booker Prize’s real impact from authors who’d know
An Evening with R.F. Kuang
To hell and (hopefully) back again with bestselling fantasy author
The Library That Made Me
An illustrious line-up of writers reflects on the libraries that shaped them
Brave Conversations: When Words Offend
Come prepared to think deeply, feel challenged and imagine new ways forward
Closing Address: A Braver Australia
Words of courage from Australia’s leading readers, writers and thinkers
Local authors
Flip the Script
Three lauded playwrights on writing women’s stories for stage and page
Bringing the Past to Life
Novel and familiar stories of families across time
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook's Companion 30th Anniversary
Instilling a love of food one kitchen at a time
Rhythm of Truth Poetry Gala
Poetry as truth and meaning, beauty and feeling, resistance and connection
Big ideas
Art and Culture in the Age of AI
What do we risk losing with the rise of AI?
The Future of Truth
In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a powerful act
The Future of Democracy: Fighting Authoritarianism
Festival favourite philosopher on why democracy is something we can’t lose
Jimmy Wales: The Seven Rules of Trust
Wikipedia founder talks trust in the post-truth era
The World According to Trump
The geopolitical implications of Trump’s second term, one year in
Escape into different worlds
Explore the full program
Family Sunday: Clayton Zane Comber and Conor McCammon
Join Clayton Zane Comber & Conor McCammon, creators of ‘Gimme Some Space’ and ‘The Marvellous Submarine’
Family Sunday: Workshop with Kristin Darell
Join author Kristin Darell for a creative writing adventure on building character and sparking stories.
Family Sunday: Writing workshop with Kate Foster
Get your creative juices flowing with storytelling games!
Art and Culture in the Age of AI
What do we risk losing with the rise of AI?
Bringing the Past to Life
Novel and familiar stories of families across time
Rhythm of Truth Poetry Gala
Poetry as truth and meaning, beauty and feeling, resistance and connection
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook's Companion 30th Anniversary
Instilling a love of food one kitchen at a time
SWF Great Debate: We Can’t Handle the Truth
Wild and risqué Festival favourite event returns to open Pandora’s box
Discover the best events that Sydney has to offer