Get ready, Melbourne. A massive celebration of books, stories, and creativity is heading your way.
The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival returns to Melbourne from 12 to 17 March 2026, bringing five days of writers, workshops, performances, and big ideas across Keilor, Sunshine, and Sydenham libraries and social spots. The best part? Every single event is completely free.
Now in its 21st year, this vibrant festival lights up Melbourne’s western suburbs with over 50 voices from across Australia. It’s a chance to meet your favourite authors, discover new ones, and get hands-on with everything from memoir writing to poetry slams, murder mystery panels, self-publishing tips, Arabic calligraphy, food stories, graphic novels, queer storytelling, speculative storytelling, and even crafting hip-hop lyrics.
Melbourne – Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival
- Opening night: Thursday 12 March, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, refreshments from 5:45 pm
- Where: The Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans, VIC
- Tickets are free and can be reserved here
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
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Whether you’re a book lover, a dreamer with a notebook, an aspiring rapper, or just curious about recording painful histories, this festival is your invitation to join the creative buzz in Brimbank’s welcoming spaces.
Opening night at The Bowery Theatre features the legendary Nam Le in conversation with Paul Bateman. Fifteen years after his award-winning collection of stories, The Boat, Le returns with a striking new poetry debut that explores family, heritage, and belonging. Arrive early for complimentary refreshments and an inspiring start to your festival week.
The festival packs in thirty activities including workshops and panels. Highlights include the laugh-filled Andy Griffiths Extravaganza for families; From Page to Screen with Damian Robb for budding screenwriters; Flow State: Crafting Hip-Hop with N’fa Jones turning ideas into lyrics; Truth, Lies and the Algorithm unpacking digital realities; Murder & Mayhem: Top Voices in Crime for thriller fans; Secrets Beneath the Surface with Fiona Hardy & Kate Mildenhall; Write Out Loud: Queer Stories, Real Voices at Sunshine Social BBQ; Healing with Poetry; Write Your Effing Heart Out; Picture Book Publishing with Andrea Rowe; and Paths to Publication with Kate Mildenhall.
This festival welcomes everyone, from families and writers to dreamers and newcomers, to join in celebrating stories and the craft of storytelling.
Bring a friend, mark March 12 to 17 in your calendar, and be part of the fun. Melbourne’s west will come alive with stories, connection, and creativity.
For more information, head here.
