We respectfully acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung People, the Traditional Custodians and Original Storytellers of the lands on which we celebrate our love of stories.
We pay our respect to Elders – past, present, and emerging. We recognise that Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded.
2025 FESTIVAL GUIDE
Creative Clunes encourages respectful conversations and dialogue.
Views of participants in the festival are not necessarily those of the Board, Staff or Volunteers of Creative Clunes.
Welcome to Clunes Booktown Festival 2026!
Nick Bassett
Festival Welcome
Chair, Creative Clunes
Welcome to Clunes Booktown Festival, our annual event that transforms the beautiful township of Clunes into a bustling haven of activity, a rich and immersive experience for book lovers and readers of all ages.
In this, our 20th year of Booktown festival, we explore the theme: Defiance and Hope. Drawing visitors from the local region, across the state, intrastate and even overseas. This event not only benefits the township of Clunes, but also many local suppliers and community groups and clubs who come together to help present this wonderful Festival.
We are proud to present Booktown Festival as a unique annual event in Australia, rich in storytelling in its many forms, with stimulating conversations, workshops, thousands of books, music and entertainment across the weekend.
Tony Clarke
Festival Opening
Mayor, Hepburn Shire
It is a great pleasure to open Clunes Booktown Festival, as it celebrates its twentieth year. This is a wonderful milestone for an event that has become a much-loved celebration of books, writing, and storytelling.
Over two days, the festival attracts more than 10,000 visitors, making a significant contribution to both the local economy and the creative life of our region.
Across the weekend, audiences can enjoy a diverse range of author conversations and writing workshops, celebrating this year’s theme of Defiance and Hope. The program includes guided tours of Clunes’ beautiful heritage buildings, run by the Clunes Museum.
Council is proud to support the Clunes Booktown Festival through signature event funding and support, recognising its importance to Clunes and the wider region.
I hope you enjoy the festival and allow yourselves to be swept up in the charm and heritage of the beautiful township of Clunes.
GET INVOLVED
Are you an author, workshop facilitator, book seller, food vendor, community group, or want to volunteer?
Join us for our 2026 Festival!
OUR FESTIVAL
Proudly run by our community for our community.
Our event would not be possible without our generous major sponsors and supporters!
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