Riverina Readers Festival

Welcome to your favourite regional book event of 2026, where you get the opportunity to soar into stories with fellow readers on Saturday 11 July, 2026 for an all-day festival at Riverina Playhouse, Wagga Wagga.

At Riverina Readers Festival 2026, you will listen to bestselling crime novelists, Tim Ayliffe and Sulari Gentill battle it out on ‘The Great Debate’ with debut romance authors, Bridie Blake and Zoe Gaetjens about whether killers or kissers have the best tropes, plot lines and passionate reading community. This debate will be facilitated by well-loved author, podcasters and book editor, Irma Gold.

Hear from your headlining author and proud Wiradjuri woman, Dr Anita Heiss, speaking exclusively about her latest novel ‘The Paradise Pact’ and also sharing the experiences of designing, curating and leading Simon & Schuster’s First Nations publishing imprint, Bundyi.

On the ‘Grab Me’ panel, Dr Anita Heiss will be joining by Mary Colussi, Penguin Randomhouse debut award-winning author with her unpublished manuscript novel Touch Grass, and Canberra-based Bookstagrammer, Bookish Bron who will all be dissecting the way in which opening lines captivate us as readers.

‘Soaring into Stories’ will be your opening panel, mimicking the 2024 crowd-favourite panel, where you’ll hear from authors writing from a mix of genres discussing how they transcend stories from fictional works to feeling like real life for the reader. Ayesha Inoon, Jeremy Lachlan, Ali Lowe, and Tigest Girma will take to the stage, with local Festival friend and author, Gabrielle Tozer.

Don’t miss our crowd favourite crime panel, ‘How Mysterious’ with bestselling rural crime noir writer Margaret Hickey, Tim Ayliffe and Ali Lowe, moderated by award-winning young adult mystery writer, Amy Doak.

And there's more....

After you select your ticket/s you will have the option to add a COZY JUMPER and/or a LUNCHBOX to your order.  These offers are only available to ticketholders.  If you already have a ticket or your budget is tight and you can't afford to pay today contact the Box Office on (02) 6926 9688 to organise before the pre-order cut-off date.

COZY  JUMPERS: To feel extra cozy during our 2026 Festival and when you're snuggled up at home with your new books, you can purchase an exclusive Riverina Readers Festival Cozy Jumper for $85.00 featuring our embroidered logo at the time of your Brave Buyer ticket, to collect on Saturday 11 July.  These jumpers are non-refundable to be sure to select your favourite colour and size. Limited Cozy Jumpers available on the day. [pre-orders will close on Friday 3 July at 10am]

LUNCHBOXES: Order a LUNCHBOX for $20.00 to enjoy on Saturday 11 July while at Riverina Readers Festival. Includes 1x hot soup option, pumpkin or hearty vegetable, plus a piece of bread, morning tea slice and afternoon snack.  Limited extra lunchboxes will be available on the day. [pre-orders will close Wednesday 8 July at 4pm]