14–16 August, 2026, Byron Bay
Sanctuary
Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s favourite regional meeting place of storytelling and ideas. This year, Byron Writers Festival returns to Byron Bay on the land and waterways of the Bundjalung nation. With a new precinct in the heart of town, the 2026 festival is both a reinvention and homecoming – an offer of sanctuary in a tumultuous world.
On this page you will find news and articles highlighting what’s on at this year’s Byron Writers Festival and the official festival program booklet.
For more information, the program and tickets visit byronwritersfestival.com.
Fresh ink: new releases making their festival debut
This year’s Byron Writers Festival is a first-look destination, with several of Australia’s most anticipated new books arriving at the festival before the ink has barely dried.
The ghosts of generations – Siang Lu at Byron Writers Festival...
The Byron Writers Festival talks to author Siang Lu about his book, Ghost Cities, which won the Miles Franklin Award in 2025.
Byron Writers Festival reveals 30th anniversary program
As August draws near and authors gear up for a big weekend in Byron Bay, Byron Writers Festival has revealed its complete program for its 30th anniversary edition
Writers fest celebrates local authors
An extraordinary amount of literary talent calls the Northern Rivers home, and in its 30th year the Byron Writers Festival is celebrating with an incredible local lineup, joining Trent Dalton, Geetanjali Shree, Evelyn Araluen, Steve Toltz, Melissa Lucashenko and others.
Byron Writers Festival celebrates 30 years!
Byron Writers Festival is set to take over Byron Bay from Friday 14 – Sunday 16 August. This morning it has unveiled the first collection of authors for its 2026 program, alongside a limited release of three-day passes, marking the beginning of a milestone 30th anniversary.
Byron Writers Festival: symbol of our vibrant, unique culture
Who knows how many terrific ideas have wafted and dissolved after long literary lunches? This one didn’t – a shared idea took root, and after a lot of hard work the Northern Rivers Writers Centre, based in Lismore, was born and its first Byron Writers Festival took place in 1997.
Byron Writers Festival moves home
After last year’s Byron Writers Festival was washed out, it was time to put the thinking caps on and work out a new plan – in this climate-impacted world how do you put a festival on that minimises the risk of it happening again?
