June 15th, 2026Words in Winter

This August, Words in Winter returns to Daylesford and Hepburn for five days of curiosity, words and belonging.
The 2026 theme, Curiouser and Curiouser, is an invitation to lean in: to stories you haven’t heard, writers you haven’t discovered, and conversations that only happen when a community gathers around literature and creativity.
The festival happens at winter’s edge – acacias in bloom, bees returning, days quietly lengthening. And with them, us: emerging, curious, ready. Ready for the stories that pull us out of ourselves. Ready for the warmth of a full room and the particular magic of words shared out loud.
Programming this year runs across three pillars: The Curious Craft for writers and makers, Curious Histories & Untold Truths for storytellers and memory-keepers and Community Curiosities for everyone who calls this region home
From author panels at the town hall to workshops at Radius Art, every venue has a purpose and every event asks you to look a little closer.
The full program is out on June 28 with tickets for sale.

Artist Eloise Grills
Each year, Words in Winter partners with a local artist to feature their original artwork as the festival’s flagship image – and this year Words in Winter is thrilled to have Eloise Grills as the festival artist.
An award-winning writer and artist, Eloise is a beloved member of the community. Her work will vividly bring the theme Curiouser and Curiouser to life across our posters, program, and signage.
Her unique style, which blends whimsical illustrations with profound narratives, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of curiosity and exploration that defines the 2026 festiva