This Just In: Former Prime Ministers, Wikipedia Founders and Acclaimed Authors Aplenty Lead Sydney Writers' Festival's 2026 Program
The annual creative event takes aim at everything from AI and misinformation to democracy and the fundamentals of the human race with its 200-plus event program.
Year after year, creatives, storytellers, thinkers, and inspirational figures from around the world descend upon Sydney for one very special event. The Sydney Writers' Festival, a short but very sweet celebration of the best and brightest minds and the words they've created. It's on its way back for 2026, and now we know exactly what we can expect from the five-day program of over 200 events and 250+ participating guests.
This year's theme, Show Me the Truth, is a dive into truth and trust in written and spoken media amid overwhelming uncertainty. As Sydney Writers' Festival Artistic Director Ann Mossop explains, "Writers bring the truth to life in many different ways, whether it is in a novel that transports us to another time and place or in rigorous journalism that reflects the current moment."
Jacquie Manning
"We'll explore important questions about the future of democracy and the impact of AI on the arts and culture, but we'll also celebrate a major anniversary for one of Australia's favourite cookbooks and the joys of Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants. The SWF program opens up a space for writers and readers to explore books, ideas and storytelling in all of their variety and richness," Mossop adds.
Headlining this year's festival are a number of notable voices. International bestsellers like R.F. Kuang (Katabasis), Mick Herron (Slow Horses) and Patrick Radden Keefe (London Falling) will unpack their latest works, while global voices of change and truth like former NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales will examine their lives and legacies live on stage.
Jacquie Manning
Booker Prize-winning and shortlisted authors such as David Szalay (Flesh), Susan Choi (Flashlight), Yann Martel (Life of Pi), Roddy Doyle (The Women Behind the Door), Amitav Ghosh (The Nutmeg's Curse), Tayari Jones (Kin) and S.A. Cosby (King of Ashes) will all discuss the inspirations of and truths within their latest works.
On the events front, the creator of an Australian classic, Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants, Dog Man) will draw his characters live on stage in a live and antics-filled event. Journalists Lorena Allam, Avani Dias, Lyse Doucet, Anton Enus, Kate McClymont and Patrick Radden Keefe gather for The Story That Changed My Life to discuss the stories that changed their careers forever, while Brave Conversations: When Words Offend will unite journalists and storytellers for a panel on the role of disagreements in democracy.
Jacquie Manning
After Bondi will see four writers and host Michaela Kalowski reflect on grief, solidarity and resilience after the Bondi terrorist attack. Big Histories will bring together Amitav Ghosh, Luke Kemp and Clare Wright to re-examine the fundamental grand narratives of human history. Great Adaptations will offer an insight into how stories move from page to screen, and The Future of Truth will pair Barbara Demick, A.C. Grayling, Jimmy Wales and Toby Walsh in a discussion on how trust can be rebuilt in the age of misinformation, AI and information overload.
The full program goes on and on, from returning favourite events like the SWF Great Debate and the opening gala to Australia-wide and international authors and celebrations of First Nations and queer voices in the writing world. You can visit the SWF website to browse every event and plan your perfect festival run, with over 55 free events making it as accessible as it is insightful.
Jacquie Manning
Sydney Writers' Festival will take place at venues across the city from Sunday, May 17–May 24, tickets go on sale at 10am on Saturday, March 14. For the full program or more information, visit the website.
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