After reluctantly taking a break in 2020, Byron Writers Festival will return as a live event on 6-8 August 2021, at Elements of Byron in Byron Bay. The full program will be announced and all tickets go on-sale on 23 June 2021.

Of course, it won’t quite be business-as-usual: the safety and well-being of our guests and artists is a priority and to ensure a Covid-safe event we will be following all NSW Health advice. This includes guidelines around social distancing and reduced audience capacity.

What is changing and why?

To help us deliver a Covid-safe event, the Festival Board has decided we will only be selling 1-Day Passes this year (no 3-Day Passes). This means no Early Bird release.

Only selling 1-Day Passes will allow us to more efficiently track how many people will be on site every day in order to adhere to NSW Health Department guidelines. Social distancing regulations also mean we will have reduced audience capacity at the Festival site.

As usual, Byron Writers Festival members will receive a discount on full-priced tickets. And as ticket numbers will be limited, members will be given a 24-hour priority booking window to purchase tickets before they are released to the general public.

We understand things look a bit different this year and we appreciate your patience while we do everything we can to keep you safe. By buying a ticket you are investing in the future of  Byron Writers Festival and the arts in regional Australia. Your loyal support is greatly appreciated.

We can’t wait to gather together again as community to celebrate Australian stories and writers. We hope you will join us.

2021 Key Dates

19 May: First guests announced, Sunday Locals tickets on sale (limited release)*, $90
22 June: Full program and 24 hour priority booking window available for members: 1-Day Pass, $110 members
23 June: Full program announced, all tickets on sale: 1-Day Pass, $110 members / $135 general
6-8 August: Festival Weekend

*Sunday Locals’ Ticket terms: Available to residents of the Byron, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed council areas. Tickets are available for purchase online, over the phone or from the festival office. Purchasers will need to present proof of address (maximum two tickets per person) upon ticket collection at the Festival Box Office. Limited release, available until sold out.

Got a question?

For further information about the 2021 Festival and how it will run, please refer to our FAQs page.

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Get a taste of the Festival

Never been and heard great things? Relive the highlights with our 2019 photo gallery and podcast series.