Overview

Get ready, book lovers, the Canberra Writers Festival returns, 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 the world, or want to discover your next great crime, sci-fi, juicy novel, 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 read or exhilarating conversation, come join us to celebrate stories, ideas, and the joy of books.

The Canberra Writers Festival 2026 promises the juiciest conversations, fresh perspectives, and plenty of inspiration.