For a few special days every year, Sydney comes alive with writers, journalists, public intellectuals and book lovers – who gather for the Emerald City’s long-standing celebration of literature, reading and ideas: the Sydney Writers' Festival. This year marks the 27th anniversary of our city’s most beloved celebration of words, and the festival’s 2024 theme is Take Me Away – a theme that reflects our universal affinity for escapism, a role that literature has always played in society. Comprising 223 free and ticketed events, this year’s program is a pretty impressive one. The urban corner of Sydney that’s home to the spectacular space that is Carriageworks will act as the hub for this year’s festival, but events will be popping up across the city: including at Sydney Town Hall, City Recital Hall and The State Library of NSW, as well as at smaller venues across Greater Sydney and the nation through the Live & Local streaming program. Keen to get involved? Read on.For the 2024 program, almost 300 writers from all over Australia and the world will come together to share stories and interrogate ideas, all around the central theme of Take Me Away. A celebration of Australian thought-leaders, 263 of the speakers on this year’s program are Australian, with 35 international speakers joining them on stages across the city. Highlights from this year’s program will include a live podcast recording with London-based author and podcaster Katy Hessell, a behind-the-scenes look into the m
It's no secret that Sydney shines during the summer. But that's not to say that the colder months aren't also packed with good times in the Harbour City. This May, the city is coming alive with the giggly goodness that is Sydney Comedy Festival, where a bunch of very funny talents will be coming together to make our lives a little brighter. Adding to the illumination is Vivid 2024 – the immersive wonderland which will be lighting up the city from May 24. Until then, you can get your luminous fix at Luna Park’s Sonic Neon, or do as the Scandinavians do and heat things up at this stunning coastal sauna.
This month, we’ll also be hitting up this year’s incredible Biennale while we still can, stocking up on local goods at the best markets in the city, and warming up with a Sunday roast as winter sets in.
May the force be with us.
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