Explore the program

Festival Info
Plan Your Festival
Whether you’re a literature lover, news junkie or a YA fan, Sydney Writers’ Festival has an event for you.
Rush Tickets
We have $20 Rush Tickets available for a selection of events at Carriageworks from Thursday to Sunday. Swing by the Festival Box Office to see the day’s offerings and grab your tickets.
Rush tickets are only available on the day of the event and must be purchased in person.
Festival highlights
For this year’s biggest names and not-to-be-missed events, check out our Festival Highlights.
Free events and Curiosity Lectures
With a over a third of our program free to attend, you can choose your own adventure of free sessions – including our Curiosity Lecture Series where some of the Festival’s most inquisitive minds deliver lectures on eclectic topics that spark their curiosity.
All-Day YA
With sessions specially curated by Sydney Writers’ Festival Nathan Luff (Manager of Children's & YA Programs), All-Day YA is an epic celebration of all things YA (Young Adult fiction).
Returning on Saturday 24 May, we’re delighted to bring young people and their favourite authors together again at Carriageworks to explore the latest genre-trends.
Family Day
On Sunday 25 May, roll on up to Carriageworks for the marvellous magic of Family Day, a riotous celebration of storytelling and creativity that will captivate kids of all ages. Enjoy talks, storytelling sessions, arts and craft stations, a mobile library, live animals and more.
There's also a great range of free activities from 10am to 4pm that will whisk kids away into a world of wonder.
Check out our Family Program events.
Festival Precinct
Find out more about our Festival Precinct at Carriageworks here.
Festival Food
Discover all the food offerings at the Festival Precinct here.