Shelves of books in a library

Sydney, NSW · Autumn

Sydney Writers' Festival

One week in late May

Sydney Writers' Festival is Australia's largest celebration of books, writing and ideas, gathering hundreds of local and international authors for a week of talks, panels, readings and debates each May. The festival centres on Carriageworks in Eveleigh, with satellite events across the city and suburbs.

The program runs from big-name headline conversations to niche sessions on craft, politics and science. Popular sessions sell out quickly once the program drops, and a run of free events keeps the festival accessible. It is an indoor, cerebral counterpoint to Sydney's beach-and-harbour image, timed for the first weeks of autumn proper.

  • Arts & Literature
When
One week in late May
How often
Every year
Venue
Carriageworks and venues citywide
Crowd
Approx. 100,000
Entry
Free + ticketed
Setting
Indoor
Carriageworks and venues citywideApprox. 100,000Official event site

Dates shown follow the event's typical pattern; exact dates change each year, so confirm on the official site before booking travel.

Getting there by bus

Tell us where you're starting from and we'll find coach options to Sydney.

One-way trip

Fares and timetables are confirmed on the operator's site before you book.

More events around Sydney