Bookish Events Noticeboard (Vic)

For events in your state try https://australiareads.org.au/literary-calendar/

• May Gibbs Celebration

  • Date: 17 January (birthday)
  • About: Known for Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, some libraries and early childhood centres recognize the day.
• Charles Dickens Day

  • Date: 7 February
  • About: Celebrates the birthday of Dickens, famous for Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, and more.
  • Events: Dickens-themed readings and plays.
• Library Lovers’ Day (Australia)

  • Date: 14 February
  • About: Celebrates the role of libraries in communities, education, and society.
  • Typical Activities: Book displays, library events, author visits.
• J.R.R. Tolkien Reading Day

  • Date: 25 March
  • About: Celebrates the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, especially The Lord of the Rings.
  • Why This Date: It marks the fall of Sauron in The Return of the King.
  • Celebrations: Readings, Tolkien-themed discussions, cosplay events.
• World Book Day

  • Date: 23 April
  • About: Promotes reading, publishing, and copyright globally.
  • Typical Activities: Coincides with the death anniversaries of Shakespeare and Cervantes.
• William Shakespeare’s Birthday

  • Date: 23 April (same as World Book Day)
  • About: Celebrated with performances, readings, and festivals.
• Melbourne Writers Festival

  • Dates: 8–11 May 2025
  • Location: State Library Victoria & various venues, Melbourne
  • Highlights: Featuring international and local literary stars, including Rumaan Alam, Samantha Harvey, Hannah Kent, and Solli Raphael. The festival theme is “Magical Thinking” and includes The Age Book of the Year awards.
• Beatrix Potter Day

  • Date: 28 July
  • About: Celebrates the creator of Peter Rabbit.
• Melbourne Rare Book Week & Fair

  24 July – 2 August 2025
  Melbourne; Rare Book Fair at Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne (31 July – 2 August)
  Celebrating antiquarian and rare books with exhibitions and lectures.

• Book Lovers Day

  • Date: 9 August
  • About: A day for readers to celebrate by spending time with their favorite books.
• Children’s Book Week (Australia)

  • Dates: Usually held in August (in 2025, expected 16–22 August)
  • Theme: Set annually by the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA)
  • About: Encourages children to enjoy books through dress-ups, parades, readings, and author visits.
• Indie Bookworm Event (Ch4)

  23 August 2025
  10am – 4pm
  Showtime Events Centre, South Wharf

  https://www.thebookbooth.com.au/events

• Bendigo Writers Festival

  • Dates: August 2025 (exact dates TBC)
  • Location: Bendigo, Victoria
  • Highlights: Bringing together writers, thinkers, and readers for a weekend of conversations, debates, and readings.

  https://www.bendigowritersfestival.com.au/

• Agatha Christie Week

  • Date: Around 15 September (her birthday)
  • About: A week-long celebration of the “Queen of Crime.”
  • Events: Murder mystery parties, book rereads, Christie-themed book clubs.
• Emerging Writers’ Festival

  • Dates: 11–18 September 2025
  • Location: Melbourne & online
  • Highlights: A platform for new and emerging writers to showcase their work, featuring workshops, panels, and performances.
• Jane Austen’s Birthday

  • Date: 16 December
  • Celebrations: Literary talks, Regency-themed teas, costumed events.

2026

• Indie Bookworm Event (Ch5)

  Fantasy edition
  21 February 2026 – 11am – 2pm
  Kryal Castle, Ballarat

  https://www.thebookbooth.com.au/events

• A Thousand Lives Indie Book Convention (ATLCON2026)

  Date: Saturday 18th of April 2026
  Location: Town Square Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds

  A Thousand Lives has announced the very first “A Thousand Lives Indie Book Convention” (ATLCON) for 2026. This is a romance specific signing event, featuring Indie Authors!

  https://www.athousandlives.com.au/pages/atlcon2026