Sydney Writers’ Festival will present its first Family Day as part of the new year-round program at the State Library of NSW on Sunday 23 November 2025. Part of the Festival’s landmark partnership with the State Library of NSW and supported by the NSW Government, Family Day will transform the Library into a hub of storytelling, creativity and play. With a mix of free sessions and low-cost workshops, the program invites children to read, write, draw, sing and imagine alongside some of Australia’s most loved storytellers and illustrators, making it the ideal day out for families. “Family Day is all about celebrating the joy of stories and sparking kids’ imaginations,” said Sydney Writers’ Festival Manager of Children’s & YA Programs, Nathan Luff. “We want to give children the chance to laugh, sing, read, write and create alongside their families – and discover that books and storytelling can be playful, exciting and fun.”
Young creatives can book into special workshops to sharpen their storytelling skills. Budding authors will learn how to turn real life into fiction in a Writing Workshop with Deb Fitzpatrick, while comic lovers can step into the world of characters and cliffhangers in a Graphic Novel Workshop with Andrew Cranna. For crafty minds, the Pop-Up Book Workshop with Freda Chiu shows kids how to design their own fantastical three-dimensional creations to take home. These ticketed sessions have limited places and are recommended for ages 7 and up.
The day also bursts with big free events for families to enjoy together. Storytime Spectacular kicks things off with a lively mix of readings, music and drawing that will have kids singing and dancing along. Animal lovers can meet Dozer the golden retriever live on stage in Storytime with Nagi Maehashi, Adam Simpson & Dozer, celebrating the playful picture book Row, Row, Row Your Boat (with Monsters). Fans of feathered heroes won’t want to miss Real Pigeons Bin Baddies, as the creators of the hit series reveal the secret life of crime-fighting pigeons. Adventure awaits at Seafaring with Amelia Mellor, a pirate-themed session filled with tall tales, sea shanties and games. And to close out the day, The Totally Epic Kids Book Gameshow takes storytelling, drawing and spelling to chaotic new heights – with the kids in the audience helping to decide who wins.
For those who like to get hands on, Craft Stations will run all day with drop-in activities where kids can cut, colour and create their own story-inspired artworks. And out the front of the Library, Russ the Story Bus will be open for curious readers to climb aboard, pick a book from his jam-packed shelves and cosy up in his colourful mobile library.
Family Day underscores the Festival’s commitment to making reading and writing part of Sydney’s everyday life. Registration is required for most free sessions and places are limited for workshops. The full Sydney Writers’ Festival 2025 Family Day program can be found online at swf.org.au. Tickets are available via presale on Wednesday, 24 September and on sale to the general public on Thursday, 25 September. Book-loving families are encouraged to sign up to the SWF eNews for exclusive presale ticket access.
What to Expect:
Storytime Spectacular: A joyful opening session featuring live readings, music and drawing with Jazz Money, Jason Phu, Stephen Michael King and Josh Pyke, sharing The Frog’s First Song and Some Days You’ll Have Days Like These.
Workshops for Young Creatives: Writing Workshop with Deb Fitzpatrick – Learn to turn real life into fiction. Graphic Novel Workshop with Andrew Cranna – Interactive “choose your own” storytelling adventure. Pop-Up Book Workshop with Freda Chiu – Craft fantastical 3D creations to take home.
Live Story Sessions: Storytime with Nagi Maehashi, Adam Simpson & Dozer – Featuring the picture book Row, Row, Row Your Boat (with Monsters) and an appearance from Dozer the golden retriever. Real Pigeons Bin Baddies – Meet the creators of the bestselling Real Pigeons series in a fun-filled, feathered crime-fighting session. Seafaring with Amelia Mellor – Pirate tales, sea shanties and games inspired by Oceanforged.
The Totally Epic Kids Book Gameshow: A live, chaotic competition between bestselling creators Eva Amores, Matt Cosgrove, Jol Temple and Kate Temple, hosted by Nathan Luff, with kids helping decide who wins.
All-Day Activities: Craft Stations – Drop-in creativity with story-inspired crafts led by authors Amanda Lieber and Jo Staker. Russ the Story Bus – mobile library.
