March 5-7 2027, Scone NSW
Join us in March 2027 at Scone Festival of Words!
We are delighted to announce our 2027 Festival, bringing three days of storytellers, big ideas and rich conversation to the Upper Hunter.
Held Friday 5 to Sunday 7 March 2027, our big little Festival returns with storytellers from all over the world – all ages, all genres and, most importantly, all types of thinkers. 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 stories that matter, stories that challenge and stories that delight.
Storytellers announced so far include Jemma Sisia OAM, founder of The School of St Jude in Tanzania; award-winning crime thriller author and journalist Tim Ayliffe; best-selling children's author Jeremy Lachlan; artist and writer Stephanie Corkhill Hyles; and global peace advocate Tom White. Returning favourites Jo Riccioni, Ryan Butta and Marcell Moore join them, with more to be announced.
Whether you're three or ninety-three, whether you've been with us since the beginning or this is your first time stepping into our tent, you belong here. First weekend in March. Every second year. Only in Scone.
Celebrating all Word Makers!
Held in the Upper Hunter every two years, the Scone Festival of Words, is a three-day celebration of words, creativity and communication. Join us in 2027!
Bringing together a diverse collection of Word Makers from all over the world, participants will experience positive conversations and robust debates at this bi-annual event. 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.
2025 Festival Program
Thursday March 6
Find out more about each event or guest by clicking on their name. To reveal full program details on mobile, please scroll across the page
When | What | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
Thursday March 6, 6.30-8.30pm | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Friday March 7
When | What | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
Friday March 7, 9.30-11am | CancelledFriends and Family Wellbeing | Cancelled due to Cyclone AlfredMorning tea with Georgie Collinson | CancelledScone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Friday March 7, 9.30am- 3pm | Early Readers Program | Paula Stevenson, Marcelle MooreSponsored by Godolphin Stud | Local Schools |
Friday March 7, 10am-11.30am | Roving Poets and Performers | Roving poetry and entertainment with Jean Paul Bell and Tug Dumbley | Strathearn aged care, & Murruvale Aged care facility |
Friday March 7, 10.30am-2.30pm | Facilitated by Jo RiccioniSponsored by Godolphin Stud | Scone Grammar | |
Friday March 7, 10am- 3pm | High School Author visits | Jeremy LachlanSponsored by Godolphin Stud | Scone Grammar School, Scone High School, St Joseph’s High School |
Friday March 7, 10.00am- 12.00am | LinkedIn specialist Lucy Bingle and Marketing strategist Louisa Bragg | Must register online- Free workshopUpper Hunter Shire Council | |
Friday March 7, 12 noon- 2pm | Merriwa Literary Lunch | hosted by the CWA with special guest Ryan Butta | Merriwa CWA - Single Ticket Event |
Friday March 7, 12 noon- 2.30pm | Sponsored by Godolphin Stud | Hunter WarbirdsMust register online- Free workshop |
Saturday March 8
When | What | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
Saturday March 8.45am | Welcome to Country | Richie Lawton | Scone Grammar School |
Saturday March 8, 9.15am | Opening of the 2025 Festival ‘Sustainability- me, we, us,The Planet’ | Sal O'Regan | Scone Grammar School |
Saturday March 8, 9.30am- 10.30am | Scone Grammar School | ||
Saturday March 8, 10.40am- 11.30am | Visual Storytelling and Looking through the Lens | Moderator- Tim ElliotTully O’Regan, Vanessa Lam, Merri May Gill | Scone Grammar School |
Saturday March 8, 10.40am- 11.30am | Moderator- Jo Riccioni | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall | |
Saturday March 8, 11.40am- 12.40am | Moderator- Suzanne Leal | Scone Grammar School | |
Saturday March 8, 11.40am- 12.40am | Crime Fiction - A Source of Sustenance? | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall | |
Saturday March 8, 12.40pm- 1.40pm | Lunch Book signings - books available at the festival bookshop, Scone Arts and Crafts | Refreshments and lunch available- Scone CWA | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Saturday March 8, 1.45pm- 2.45pm | Anthea Fawcett in conversation with Dr Anika Molesworth and Dr Catherine Chicken | Scone Grammar School | |
Saturday March 8, 2.45pm- 3.45pm | How the Light Gets In | Moderator- Catherine du Peloux Le Menage | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Saturday March 8, 2.45pm- 3.45pm | Don’t Look Away! | Moderator- Jo Riccioni | Scone Grammar School |
Saturday March 8, 4pm- 4.45pm | Pip Murray in conversation with Heather Ewart | Pip Murray, Heather Ewart | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Saturday March 8, From 5pm | Shopping, book signings drinks and entertainment at Scone Arts and Crafts | Dinner and wine available for purchase thanks to Greengrocer Catering and Emma’s Cottage Wines | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Saturday March 8, 5.30pm- 7.30pm | Small Town Coal by Geophyte.comWhip, Rev and Barrel- ‘Slightly Dangerous Passions’ by Merri May Gill‘Seeds’ by School for Life FoundationEnjoy pop-up interval with Tug Dumbley and Jean Paul Bell | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Sunday March 9
When | What | Who | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
Sunday March 9, 7.30am- 8.30am | Self First YogaFree & All Welcome | Scone Grammar School | |
Sunday March 9, 8.30am onwards | Westpac Helicopter Bush Poets' Breakfast | Roving Poets of all Ages | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Sunday March 9, 9.45am | Book Launch“The Way We Were” Scone’s Historical Tapestry 1825 – 2025 | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall | |
Sunday March 9, 10.45am - 11.15am | Scott Bevan sharing insights and musings about Return to the Hunter | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall | |
Sunday March 9, 11.15am | The Horse Capital of Australia….Why the Darn Horse? | Moderator- Scott BevanHeather Ewart, Allison Sedgwick and Sarah Bishop | Scone Arts & Crafts Hall |
Friday March 7, 12 noon | Festival Close |
*Program is subject to change
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!
Jonathan Biggins
Nardi Simpson
Chanel Contos
Lauren Forner
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!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from the Festival Team!
© 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.