Brisbane Writers Festival

Brisbane Writers Festival returns to Brisbane from 8 to 11 October 2026, bringing together writers, readers, thinkers, journalists, storytellers and literary enthusiasts for four days of conversations, ideas, performances and special events. The festival is centred on Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm and features a wide-ranging program designed to celebrate books, storytelling and contemporary literary culture.

The 2026 festival features more than 200 Australian and international authors and more than 110 events, giving audiences opportunities to explore a broad range of subjects and literary forms. The program covers fiction, crime, romance, food, history, journalism, popular culture, parenting, gardening, wellbeing and other areas of contemporary life.

A Celebration of Writers and Ideas

Brisbane Writers Festival provides a platform for established authors as well as emerging literary voices. Visitors can attend author conversations, panel discussions, performances, keynote addresses and special events throughout the four-day program.

The 2026 international program includes writers such as Charlie Jane Anders, Elaine Castillo, Catherine Chidgey, Mariana Enríquez, Lev Grossman, Andrew O’Hagan, Susan Orlean, Alice Oseman, Lyla Sage and Josh Silver. Their appearances cover subjects ranging from fantasy and literary fiction to memoir, journalism, romance, culture and contemporary storytelling.

Opening Day and Literary Celebrations

The festival opens on Thursday 8 October with a program that includes the First Word Opening Address, featuring Gudanji/Wakaja and Kalkadoon writer and educator Debra Dank. The opening program also features the festival's First Nations Cultural Curators.

The Queensland Literary Awards are also scheduled for Thursday evening at Brisbane Powerhouse. Hosted by Richard Glover and Darby Jones, the ceremony celebrates established and emerging writers across twelve award categories and a range of genres.

Major Authors and Sessions

Across the festival, audiences can choose from a substantial schedule of talks and author sessions. Highlights include Susan Orlean discussing her memoir Joyride, Kate Grenville presenting The Country Schoolmaster: A Mystery in 88 Letters, and sessions featuring writers including Stephanie Alexander, Shaun Micallef, Adam Liaw, Pip Williams and George Megalogenis.

The festival also offers a Young Adult program, schools programming and special events. The schools program focuses on reading, writing and storytelling for students and features authors including Jacqueline Harvey, Morris Gleitzman, Matt Agnew, Gary Lonesborough, Kate Foster, Sally Rippin and Peter Carnavas.

Brisbane Powerhouse

Brisbane Powerhouse provides the principal festival setting. Located at 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, the venue is a major arts and cultural centre on the Brisbane River. Its spaces include the Powerhouse Theatre, Underground Theatre, Fairfax Studio, Turbine Platform and other areas used for performances, talks and cultural events.

The venue is accessible by public transport, including buses and ferry services, with the New Farm Park ferry terminal located nearby. Brisbane Powerhouse also has paid parking facilities, including accessible parking spaces.

Tickets and Festival Experience

Tickets for the 2026 festival are available through the festival's booking system and Brisbane Powerhouse's Ticketek platform. Regular sessions are listed at $29 full price and $25 concession, while various bundles are available, including a four-event regular bundle. Young Adult and schools programs have separate pricing and bundle options.

The festival precinct is wheelchair accessible, with accessible seating available for patrons who require it. Visitors needing accessibility assistance are encouraged to notify the Box Office when booking.

A Literary Weekend in Brisbane

With its combination of author conversations, keynote addresses, literary awards, performances, international guests, young adult sessions and school activities, Brisbane Writers Festival offers a broad program for readers and writers of different ages and interests.

The 2026 edition provides opportunities to hear directly from authors about their books, creative processes and ideas while connecting with Brisbane's wider literary and cultural community. The festival takes place across four days, with Brisbane Powerhouse serving as its central venue and selected activities extending to other Brisbane locations.

For anyone interested in books, writing, storytelling and contemporary ideas, the Brisbane Writers Festival 2026 forms part of Brisbane's major annual literary calendar, bringing Australian and international voices together in the city from 8–11 October 2026.