When: Thursday 15–Sunday 18 October 2026
Where: Various venues across Canberra
Tickets: On sale now at canberrawritersfestival.com.au
The Canberra Writers Festival returns from 15–18 October 2026, celebrating its 10th anniversary with 110 events and 200 artists celebrating books and storytelling across four exciting days.
The Festival brings together acclaimed Australian and international authors, bestselling novelists, political thinkers, comedians, journalists, children’s writers, illustrators, cartoonists and some of the most exciting new voices in Australian writing and journalism.
Whether you enjoy big conversations about politics, current affairs, technology and the ideas shaping our world - or want to discover your next great crime, sci-fi, fiction or memoir read there’s something for everyone.
For the first time, you can bring the whole family with a huge program of ticketed and free events for kids and young adults, from storytime for wiggly kids, manga, live drawing battles and plenty of other creative activities designed to ignite imaginations.
This year’s line-up includes Judith Lucy, Michael Robotham, Pip Williams, Andrew O’Hagan, Susan Orlean, Garth Nix, Andy Griffiths, Morris Gleitzman, R.A. Spratt, Waleed Aly, Corey Tutt, Niki Savva, David Speers and many more.
Whether you’re a lifelong reader, an aspiring writer or simply searching for your next favourite book or exhilarating conversation, come join us to celebrate stories, ideas and the joy of reading.
Event venue
Various venues, Canberra, Australia
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.