Sydney Writers Festival

After the wild success of Live & Local in 2024, Sydney Writers’ Festival returns to The Empire in 2025 to bring the best of the Festival direct to you.

One of Australia’s most loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers’ Festival will livestream its headline events from Sydney to Toowoomba on Thursday 22, Friday 23, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May.

Prepare to be invigorated and engaged by conversations, debates and discussions featuring some of the world’s finest writers and thinkers. Audiences can also participate in live Q&A sessions at each event, sending questions straight to the Sydney stage.

Join us for Live & Local 2025, streamed live by Sydney Writers’ Festival and delivered locally to The Empire.