Explore the 2026 Program
Program
Program Changes
The following events have changed since the publication of the 2026 Sydney Writers' Festival Program Guide.
Wednesday 6 May
NEW EVENT: A second time for the event Niall Williams in Conversation has been added to the program and is taking place on Wednesday 6 May, 1–2pm.
Sunday 17 May
TIME UPDATE: After Bondi on Sunday 17 May is now running from 1.45–3pm.
Thursday 21 May
TIME UPDATE: Back to Back Barries LIVE on Thursday 21 May, 9–9.30am is now running from 9–9.45am.
PARTICIPANT UPDATE: DOBBY is unable to attend Sydney Writers' Festival and will no longer be appearing in Middle of the Air: Music and Lyrics on Thursday 21 May, 7–7.55pm. Kate Fagan will be appearing instead.
TIME UPDATE: Secrets of the Lodge on Thursday 21 May is now running from 11–11.55am.
FACILITATOR UPDATE: Ashley Hay is unable to attend Sydney Writers' Festival and will no longer be moderating Wisdom of the Ages on Thursday 21 May, 4pm. Yumi Stynes will be appearing instead.
Friday 22 May
TITLE UPDATE: Dreaming Big: Voices from the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre on Friday 22 May, 11am–12pm is now titled Dreaming Big: Voices from Detention.
VENUE UPDATE: Susan Choi: Flashlight on Friday 22 May, 12–1pm is now taking place in Bay 17 at Carriageworks.
VENUE UPDATE: Tony Abbott: Australia: A History on Friday 22 May, 12–1pm is now taking place in Bay 20 at Carriageworks.
PARTICIPANT UPDATE: Lucy Clark is unable to attend Sydney Writers' Festival and will no longer be appearing in The Guardian's Are You Game Show on Friday 22 May, 5–6pm. Amanda Meade will be appearing instead.
PARTICIPANT UPDATE: Florence Knapp is no longer attending Sydney Writers' Festival in person. Her event Florence Knapp: The Names on Friday 22 May, 6–6.55pm will continue at Carriageworks with Florence appearing live via video link.
PARTICIPANT UPDATE: Florence Knapp will no longer be appearing in Dark Materials on Friday 22 May, 2–2.55pm. Sarah Krasnostein will be appearing instead.
FACILITATOR UPDATE: Ashley Hay is unable to attend Sydney Writers' Festival and will no longer be moderating The Future Library on Friday 22 May, 5pm. Beejay Silcox will be appearing instead.
Saturday 23 May
TITLE UPDATE: The Future of Democracy: Trump's America with Jon Sopel on Saturday 23 May, 12–1pm is now titled The Future of Democracy: Democracy After Trump with Jon Sopel.
NEW EVENT: A second date for the event An Evening with R.F. Kuang has been added to the program and is taking place on Saturday 23 May, 7.30–8.30pm.
PARTICIPANT UPDATE: Florence Knapp will no longer be appearing in Big Beginnings on Saturday 23 May, 7–7.55pm. Chloe Wilson will be appearing instead.
NEW EVENT: A second time for the event Reading as a Writer: Masterclass with Tony Tulathimutte has been added to the program and is taking place on Saturday 23 May, 7.30–9.30pm.
EVENT CANCELLATION: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event S. Shakthidharan: Gather Up Your World in One Long Breath scheduled for Saturday 23 May, 8–9pm has been cancelled.
Sunday 24 May
TITLE UPDATE: ABC The Minefield Live on Sunday 24 May, 4–5pm is now titled ABC Radio National: The Minefield Live.
FACILITATOR UPDATE: Ashley Hay is unable to attend Sydney Writers' Festival and will no longer be moderating Radical Hope on Sunday 24 May, 12pm. James Bradley will be appearing instead.