Sydney Writers’ Festival (SWF 2026) has concluded as the most successful Festival in its 29-year history, marking a second consecutive year of record-breaking attendance and ticket sales. More than 100,000 people attended the Festival’s 200+ events featuring over 250 writers and thinkers, with over 55% of events sold out.
Sydneysiders embraced Festival programming across eight days of packed venues, sold-out talks and city-wide literary conversation from 17–24 May. United by the 2026 theme Show Me the Truth, SWF sparked powerful and thoughtful ideas on culture, identity, history, politics and contemporary literature.
Sydney Writers’ Festival CEO Brooke Webb said, “To see the Festival break records for a second consecutive year is an extraordinary result and an important reflection of the appetite audiences have for thoughtful conversation, great writing and shared cultural experiences.
“We were especially encouraged by the number of young people engaging with the Festival this year — whether through headline author events or conversations exploring the issues shaping their generation. Across the week, we saw a new wave of audiences embrace the Festival with enormous energy and curiosity.
“The scale and reach of this year’s Festival was incredibly exciting. From major headline events in Sydney to more than 50 free events and our expanded Live & Local program reaching 160 venues nationwide, the Festival created opportunities for readers across the country to come together through books, ideas and shared cultural experiences.
“The Festival always looks to engage the next generation of readers and writers through its education programming, and this year, 11,995 students participated in Primary School Days, Secondary School Days and Student Sessions across Festival week.
“These programs play an important role in nurturing future writers, readers and thinkers — creating opportunities for young people to engage with stories, ideas and creativity, while building the literary communities of the future,†said Webb.
Sydney Writers’ Festival Artistic Director Ann Mossop said, “This year’s Festival showed us truths that were wonderful, disarming and brave. What was clear throughout the week was that readers and writers were brought together through ideas, debate and shared conversations.
“From Daniel Hahn sharing his insights into Shakespeare to Patrick Radden Keefe taking fans through his body of work, audiences embraced the Festival from its very first moments. Our Opening Gala, featuring Robbie Arnott, Nikita Gill, Lily King, Michael Pedersen and Kirli Saunders, set the tone for a week of ambitious and unforgettable discussion.
“As the Festival unfolded, audiences sold out venues to hear from extraordinary international voices including Susan Choi, Roddy Doyle, Amitav Ghosh, Mick Herron, Tayari Jones, R.F. Kuang and Yann Martel. These were the kinds of literary experiences that stay with us long after the Festival ends.
“It was equally exciting to see Australian writers connect so strongly with fans this year. Beloved authors such as Stephanie Alexander, Trent Dalton, Melissa Lukashenko and Suzie Miller generated great enthusiasm, while new books from writers like Madeleine Gray, George Kemp, Antoinette Lattouf and Zoe Terakes captivated audiences,†said Mossop.
Participation in education programming grew by 11.3%, up from 10,782 in 2025 and 10,415 in 2024. Student Sessions increased participation by 30.2% and free access to education programming was provided to 5,088 participants. Attendance in School Days events increased across both Primary and Secondary events, with primary school participation growing by 2.5% and secondary school participation by 7.6%.
Manager of Children’s & YA Programs, Nathan Luff said, “As a teacher and programmer, hearing the screams of delight as Dav Pilkey took to the stage, and then also seeing young students discovering new authors they now want to read more of, always brings me great joy. Our continued commitment to sharing these moments with underrepresented communities through free access makes it even more meaningful.â€
Book lovers are encouraged to sign up to the SWF e-newsletter at swf.org.au to be the first to hear about tickets and events for the Festival’s year-round programming at the State Library of NSW and 2027 Festival next May – the 30th in SWF’s history.
