Words in Winter 2025 festival program launched

The Words in Winter festival has announced its full 2025 program, which will run 22–21 and 29–31 August on Dja Dja Wurrung country, across Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, Victoria.

The festival will begin with a Welcome to Country from Djaara Elder Aunty Sandra Barber, readings from Daylesford Secondary College students, and performances by local Daylesford choir The Honey Tones and Guerrilla Poetry.

Among the headlining authors are Tony Birch (Women & Children), Keshe Chow (The Girl with No Reflection), Nadia Mahjouri (Half Truth), Yousef Alreemawi, and Izzy Roberts-Orr.

Featured events include the opening night ‘Words in Winter Gala’ hosted by Lyall Brooks and including Rebecca Lister, Tony Birch, Jenny Valentish (The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House) and Eliza Hull (Running Underwater). The night will also showcase jazz trio Late Night Radio, as well as Lit Karaoke, ‘where literature meets song’. Poet and spoken-word performer Emilie Zoey Baker and Going to Die podcast host Marieke Hardy will present literary salon ‘Better Off Said – Eulogies for the Living and the Dead’.

Family and children’s programs will also run across the weekends and will include workshops, school writing awards and ‘Storytime at Daylesford Library’ with authors Kate Foulds, Claire Clifton and Julie Murphy.

Festival producer Devon Taylor said, ‘Whether you want gala glamour or casual bookshop chats, there’s a perfect space for every story lover. We’ve carefully curated each venue’s atmosphere – from Bellinzona’s sophisticated literary salons to Yandoit’s grassroots open mic energy.’

More information about the festival and the full program is available on the Words in Winter website.

Category: Festivals Local news