7 Must-See Upcoming Melbourne Book & Literary Events in 2026

Are you a bookworm who loves connecting to fellow literature lovers? Well, join the club! As the second city to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature title, it’s not hard to find a brilliant book event in Naarm/Melbourne. From festivals to fairs, literary events to bookish celebrations, there’s something for everyone when it comes to Melbourne’s literary calendar. Below we take a closer look at some of our favourite events that will be swinging around in 2026.

Book Fair Australia

When: 21st-22nd February, 2025
Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

First up on Melbourne’s 2026 literary event calendar is Book Fair Australia, unfolding across two days from February 21 to 22 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Exactly what it sounds like, Book Fair Australia is a massive celebration of all things books, featuring stalls from a wide variety of literary industry players (including us!) and a chock-full program of events, activities and talks. 

Whether you’re a book fanatic or an author yourself, Book Fair Australia is an excellent place to meet fellow bookworms and share stories, connections and favourite reads. You can expect to see - and meet - a range of guest authors, as well as listen in on discussion panels that will delve deep into Australia’s book industry with authors, exhibitors and industry experts. It’s also a great event to check out if you’re a fan of cosplay and pop culture.

Sorrento Writers Festival

When: 23rd-26th February, 2025
Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Located just 90 minutes from Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, Sorrento Writers Festival is a relatively new literary festival that what it lacks in a history of its event makes up for with a rich literary history of the region in which it takes place. Beginning in 2023, Sorrento Writers Festival will be celebrating its fourth year in 2026 from April 23 to 26 at venues across this sparkling seaside town.

This not-for-profit cultural and community organisation festival features year-round literary events, discussions and talks, all of which culminate over a weekend of non-stop literary action in April. You can expect over 100 hundred events, platforming hundreds of speakers, all of which dive into their own interests and niches across the literary spectrum. If you love literary festivals - or are wanting to check one out for the first time - the Sorrento Writers Festival should be at the top of your list in 2026. And make sure to leave some time to peruse the region - this dazzling coastal escape holds much more than meets the eye. 

A Thousand Lives Indie Book Convention

When: 18th April, 2025
Where: Town Square Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds

If you’re not yet familiar with the Yarra Valley’s independently-owned romance bookstore A Thousand Lives Book Haven, 2026 is the year to be. This indie bookshop features an incredible range of independently published romance authors - as well as fantasy, contemporary, erotic horror and more - and 2026 marks the very first time that they will be hosting the A Thousand Lives Indie Book Convention (ATLCON2026) on April 18 at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

If you’re an avid romance reader, ATLCON2026 is a must-attend event in 2026. Not only will the day’s festivities include a spectacular range of authors and vendors, but ATLCON2026 will also culminate with the A Thousand Lives Masquerade Ball in the evening. This charity event is a phenomenal pairing in which you can dress up, chill out and celebrate after a day filled with book signings by your favourite indie authors.

Melbourne Writers Festival 

When: 7th-10th May, 2025
Where: Various venues across Melbourne

From the brand new to the beloved, Melbourne Writers Festival is a stalwart of Melbourne’s literary calendar. Taking place at a variety of venues across Melbourne from May 7 to 10 in 2026, Melbourne Writers Festival is the city’s flagship annual writers festival that has engaged hundreds of thousands of readers in its long and inspiring history.

Celebrating 40 years in 2026, this upcoming Melbourne Writers Festival will once again prove why Melbourne is one of the few UNESCO City of Literature title-holders in the world. Whether you’re an avid reader, a literary industry professional, a writer, or just a lover of books, the Melbourne Writers Festival provides a diversity of events - from talks and discussions to workshops and readings - that engage literary fans of all kinds.

ASA's Pitch Perfect & Literary Speed Dating 

When: 29th May - 9th June & 22nd - 26th July, 2025
Where: Online (Zoom)

After you’ve heard all about the works of published authors at other book events, it’s time to find out how to become one of them with the Australian Society of Author’s (ASA) Pitch Perfect and Literary Speed Dating events. Pitch Perfect is a four week course that will give emerging writers the chance to learn more about the pitching process, taking place over four Fridays from May 29 to June 19 in 2026 online via Zoom. Conversely, Literary Speed Dating is an opportunity to pitch your completed manuscript to Australian publishers and agents in a virtual ‘speed dating’ event that will take place on July 22 and 26 online via Zoom.

ASA’s events are a great chance to get your foot in the virtual door of the book industry. Not only will you develop your writing toolbox and strengthen your literary skills, but - paired with the speed dating - this duo of events will help shape and sell you as an author. Something to note - you will have to be a member of the ASA in order to participate in both Pitch Perfect and Literary Speed Dating.

Emerging Writers Festival

When: 10th-18th September, 2025
Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

The perfect pairing to the Melbourne Writers Festival at the other end of winter on the literary event calendar is Emerging Writers’ Festival from September 10 to 18. This tremendous festival reserves a space in Melbourne’s literary industry dedicated to community connection. If you’re a writer - self-published, yet-to-be-printed or professional - this is the festival for you.

At the crux of the Emerging Writers’ Festival is a focus on nurturing creativity and community. While unpublished authors might otherwise struggle to be represented at writers’ festivals, the Emerging Writers’ Festival platforms literary lovers and upcoming writers to an audience of their peers and readers. Perfect for writers wanting to get a foot in the door of the industry or connect with fellow bookworms, the Emerging Writers’ Festival is also a great way to level up your writing skills with their program of workshops, panels, discussions and activities.

Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival

When: 3rd-6th September, 2025
Where: TBA

As Melbourne moves into spring and the city’s events calendar swings into full bloom, you’ll discover an ace event run by Australia’s leading organisation dedicated to showcasing and elevating First Nations literary voices. Blak and Bright Festival will unfold from September 3 to 6 at venues around Melbourne in 2026, carving out a much-needed space in the country’s literary scene for First Nations writers and readers.

Consisting of workshops, panels and performances, Blak and Bright is a must-attend festival event for book-lovers. You can expect a rich selection of some of the best voices this country has to offer, all of which culminate in an extended weekend full of exceptional writing, speaking and performing, celebrating the immense diversity of Australia’s literary scene and the audiences it is in conversation with. Beloved mainstays of literature mix with emerging talent, so make sure to take a chance on an author you’ve never heard of - rest assured, you won’t be disappointed. 

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These seven book events are only the tip of the iceberg of what’s on offer for literature lovers in Melbourne. Explore the full literary event calendar from Australia Reads, if you’d like to see what other events are happening in Melbourne and Australia-wide to keep you busy in between your favourite reads. 

For bookworms interested in publishing their own self-published books, learn more about our local printing services in Melbourne and get started on your printing journey by getting in touch with our team today. We're here to help you navigate the evolving world of printing with confidence.