5–7 March 2027, Scone NSW
Join us in March 2027 at Scone Festival of Words
We’re delighted to announce our 2027 Festival – three days of storytellers from all over the world, bringing all ages, all genres and all types of thinkers to the Upper Hunter.
Held Friday 5 to Sunday 7 March 2027, our big little Festival returns with stories that matter, stories that challenge and stories that delight. From humanitarian and philanthropic visionaries to award-winning authors, from beloved children’s writers to artists celebrating love, from peace advocates to journalists exposing hidden truths – our community will gather to hear them all.
Headline guests Gemma Sisia AM, founder of The School of St Jude, and journalist and broadcaster Dan Bourchier are joined by crime thriller author and journalist Tim Ayliffe; children’s author Jeremy Lachlan; artist and writer Stephanie Corkhill Hyles; and global peace advocate Tom White. Returning favourites Jo Riccioni, Ryan Butta and Dr Marcelle Moore join them, with more to come.
Beyond the tent, look out for acapella entertainment, AI and financial literacy workshops, school, library and retirement home visits, and our community breakfast celebrating the Bush Poets. Whether you’re three or ninety-three, whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or this is your first time – you belong here. First weekend in March. Every second year. Only in Scone.
Celebrating all Word Makers!
Held in the Upper Hunter every second year, Scone Festival of Words is a three-day celebration of words, creativity and communication.
Bringing together a diverse collection of Word Makers from all over the world, participants will experience positive conversations and robust debates at this event, held every second year. The Festival provides an invaluable sense of community connection, and supports endeavours of emerging artists and wordsmiths of all genres.
Our organisation also hosts the Patrick White Oration each alternate year, member events, creative and community events, small group workshops, writing competitions and in school author visits.
Bringing People Together
Our little Festival draws big names in the literary and creative worlds.
We encourage BIG questions, open robust conversation and FUN! Diversity of expression means that we celebrate words in all their forms – through books, podcasts, song, film, art, advocacy or verse.
We will be providing opportunities to engage in panel discussions, conversations, hands on workshops and entertainment. Word makers will connect with word lovers and share their stories and insights.
Connecting all who have a love of words!
Uncovering, promoting and enhancing emerging writers, is our passion. All words have a place in our festival.
We also encourage those who've already 'made it' to share their experiences and enjoy a Festival that is truly unique. We love all genres of writing; the real, the unreal, historical fiction, romance, crime, humour, graphic, sci fi, fantasy, mystery, satire, short story, magical realism, young adult, drama, fairy tale.
We're about celebrating literary endeavours that improve the human experience!
John O’Brien
Tug Dumbly
Kat Vella
Debra Oswald
Some of the authors, artists, podcasters, journalists and performers that have graced our Festival so far.
A big thankyou to all of our supporters
Support our 2027 Festival with a donation, sponsorship, in-kind support or by becoming a Friend of the Festival, we’d love to have you. All support is greatly appreciated, it really takes a village to put on our Festival!
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© Scone Festival of Words 2026. All rights reserved.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ngayan marrungku paran wiyan Wanarruwa, mirumalikan para ani parraykupa, ngatan ngayan marrung wiyan Ngarrakay paranpa yurakaykal ngatan pangaykal.
We acknowledge the Wonnarua people, traditional keepers of this land, and we pay respects to their Elders, past and present.
Translation by Aunty Sharon Edgar-Jones.