Byron Writers Festival reinvents as town-wide celebration for 30th year
Due to heavy rain that led to the cancellation of outdoor activities in 2025, the Byron Writers Festival is shaking things up for its 30th anniversary in 2026. Jessica Alice, the Artistic Director, is moving the three-day event from Bangalow Showgrounds to the center of Byron Bay, turning the entire town into a cultural hotspot. The festival will take place in various venues, including the Surf Club, Beach Hotel, and Byron Theatre, with Railway Park as the main hub featuring markets and free events. The theme for 2026 is 'sanctuary', promoting a safe haven for writers and readers amidst current challenges. Notable international and Australian authors will participate, and the festival kicks off on 14 August.
Key facts
- Byron Writers Festival 2026 runs 14–16 August.
- Festival moved from Bangalow Showgrounds to multiple venues across Byron Bay.
- 2025 festival had two days of outdoor events cancelled due to heavy rain.
- 2026 theme is 'sanctuary'.
- International guests from seven countries including Chile, India, New Zealand.
- Free programming includes Calling to Country, Saltwater Cleanse, yoga.
- Railway Park becomes festival hub with markets, music, free events.
- Traditional name Cavanbah means 'meeting place' in Arakwal language.
Entities
Artists
- Jessica Alice
- Julio Carrasco
- Faumelisa Manquepillan Calfuleo
- Geetanjali Shree
- Ingrid Horrocks
- Thammika Songkaeo
- Antoinette Lattouf
- Amy Remeikis
- Steve Toltz
- Meg Mason
- Luke Bateman
- Trent Dalton
- Richard Flanagan
- Kerry O'Brien
- Bob Carr
- Delta Kay
- Melissa Lucashenko
- Evelyn Araluen
- Wesley Enoch AM
- Leah Jing McIntosh
- Lisette Drew
Institutions
- Byron Writers Festival
- ArtsHub
- ScreenHub
- Voiceworks
- Express Media
- Creative Australia
- St Kilda Festival
- Surf Club
- Beach Hotel
- Byron Theatre
- Railway Park
- Bundjalung Nation
- Arakwal people
Locations
- Byron Bay
- Australia
- Bangalow Showgrounds
- Northern Rivers
- Melbourne
- Chile
- India
- New Zealand
- Cavanbah