📆
Dates
Sunday 24 May 2026
🕐
Time
10am – 3:30pm
💰
Cost
Free (most activities)
📍
Venue
Carriageworks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
📅
Days
Sunday only
🧒
Ages
Pre-schoolers & School Kids (3–13 years)
The Sydney Writers' Festival Family Day is one of the best free days out for families in Sydney — a full day of books, creativity and fun at the stunning Carriageworks precinct in Eveleigh.
Free drop-in activities include:
- Russ the Story Bus — A mobile library bus packed with books, open all day to browse. Free, no bookings needed.
- Where's Wally? Activity Station — Free treasure hunt and a giant colouring wall.
- Story Factory: Plant-a-Poem — Write a poem and plant native seeds to take home.
- Live Storytimes — Free sessions with authors including First Nations storytelling, picture books and interactive stories.
- The Epic Illustrator Battle — Watch illustrators Sami Bayly, Mick Elliott, Gabriel Evans and Sandra Steffensen compete live.
- Kids' Dance Party — Free dance party at 1pm.
- Cartoon Portraits — Author/illustrator Mick Elliott draws live cartoon portraits of audience members.
- Badge-making and craft stations — Creative hands-on activities throughout the day.
Good to know
Most drop-in activities are completely free. A small number of premium sessions are ticketed (from $29 per child). Carriageworks is easily accessible by train — Redfern Station is a 10-minute walk. Arrive early for the most popular storytimes. Suitable for ages 3 and up; toddlers welcome with an adult.