Explore the 2024 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. We’ve highlighted the ones we think you’ll like most so you’re not here until midnight planning your event schedule (though we think that’s a great way to spend an evening).

A Message from our Artistic Director

If you’re after some direction, why not take it from the person who knows the Festival program best. Read Artistic Director Ann Mossop's message

2024 Podcast 

Annabel Crabb and Ann Mossop join forces on the SWF Podcast. Tune in to find out which events they want you to know about. 

Festival highlights

For this year’s biggest names and not-to-be-missed galas, 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 25 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 26 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.

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