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Byron Writers Festival '26
Your guide to Byron Writers Festival 2026
With new venues, rituals and experiences, here’s your guide to a big literary weekend.
Arrive early: The Festival kicks off each day around 7:30am with a Calling to Country by Delta Kay on Friday and free activities on the foreshore each morning. Join us for the Saltwater Cleanse on Saturday and yoga on Sunday — plus, newshounds with a festival pass can take in Coffee & News at the Beach Hotel at 8:00am. Most day sessions start at 9:00am and wrap up at 5:30pm.
Get a parking pass: Park-and-ride from the Cavanbah Centre for only $10 all day with shuttles running into the festival precinct. If you prefer to drive, check out the Byron Council parking map for free and paid parking locations and durations in town.
Visit the Box Office to get your wristband: All 3-Day and 1-Day Pass holders must exchange tickets for a wristband from the Festival Hub Box Office at Railway Park or the Bay St Stage Ticket Desk at Main Beach in order to enter passholder venues. The Festival Hub Box Office opens at 8:00am daily. The Bay St Stage Ticket Desk opens at 7:45am daily.
Explore the Festival Hub: Located at Railway Park, Jonson St, the new Festival Hub is home to the Box Office where you can pick up wristbands and buy festival merch. Artisan markets will run here all weekend, and you can enjoy free live music and conversations at the Market Stage.
Grab a program with map: The Festival Program has all session details and a map. If you live in the Northern Rivers, the 2026 print program will land in The Echo on 1 July. Download the program PDF now.
The Festival Precinct is only 650m end-to-end, and we have included 30 minutes session breaks so you've got plenty of time to fuel up on coffee or get to a book signing before heading to the next venue.
With a 3-Day Pass, you can choose between over 100 sessions across the main festival venues on Jonson St and Bay St:Jonson St Stage (outdoor marquee)Byron Theatre (Byron Community Centre)Wategos Room (Byron Community Centre)Haven GalleryBay St Stage (outdoor marquee)Byron Bay Surf ClubBeach Hotel
Meet your favourite authors: Writers will be available for book signings at two signing locations within the precinct — one outside the Byron Visitor Centre which will transform into our Festival Bookshop, and one at the Bay St Stage.
Get your Feature event tickets: Round out your day with a big conversation, poetry bash, or live game show in our separately ticketed Feature Events. Remember, if you've parked at the Cavanbah Centre, the last shuttle from the Interchange departs at 10:00pm.
Enjoy all that Byron Bay has to offer: The Festival is in the heart of Byron Bay township — support local businesses by eating, drinking, and staying locally. See our website for local accommodation recommendations, and don’t forget to visit the Festival marketplace to source locally grown and made artisanal treasures each day.
See the full Festival Precinct map
Explore the full program online
Buy your pass
Writers
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Festival Events & Workshops
Join us for a special series of separately ticketed events and workshops featuring guests from the Byron Writers Festival '26 program.
Key Information
Byron Writers Festival is held on Bundjalung Country in the township of Byron Bay, Northern New South Wales.
Eat & Drink
The Byron Bay township is full to the brim with restaurants, cafes, bars and eateries to experience during the Byron Writers Festival. Alongside this are local retailers and artisans offering unique keepsakes and gifts from the region.
Shop
Browse our marketplace of local artisans, and visit The Book Room, our festival bookshop, to grab your favourite festival titles and have them signed by authors after each session.
In the unlikely event that Byron Writers Festival 2026 does not proceed, you will be offered a refund for all passes including parking.
Unfortunately we are unable to swap or change passes once they have been issued.
Yes, we love our volunteers, they are the heart and soul of our festival. Applications generally open in May each year.
For more information on how to get involved, see our volunteer page. Make sure to sign up to our mailing list and socials to stay in the know.
Festival Partners
Thanks to all our partners and supporters. Byron Writers Festival would not be possible without your passion and generosity.
Media
Media accreditation is strictly reserved for members of the media – print, photo, radio, TV, film, news agencies and online – who represent a legitimate media organisation and must be committed to publishing event coverage.
