The Singapore Writers Festival returns for its 29th edition from November 13 to 22, 2026, bringing more than 300 writers, speakers, and moderators to over 200 programmes under the theme Hidden in Plain Sight, according to festival organizers Arts House Group.
Festival Theme and Major International Keynotes
Festival Director Yong Shu Hoong stated in source material that the theme applies as much to contemporary artificial intelligence and scams as it does to literature.
Award-winning American novelist Amitav Ghosh will deliver a keynote address on imagining the planet’s future amid intensifying global crises. Mexican-Canadian horror author Silvia Moreno-Garcia will examine truth, deception, and artificiality in her keynote speech. Meanwhile, American sociologist and MacArthur fellow Ruha Benjamin will focus on hidden biases in the digital world.
Global Journalists and Non-Fiction Voices
Indonesian gender equality advocate Kamala Chandrakirana will speak on cultural memory and gender equality. The Thinking Machine author and journalist Stephen Witt will explore the growth of Nvidia alongside its leader Jensen Huang.
Additional notable international participants feature Malaysian novelist and Booker Prize nominee Tan Twan Eng, Lore Olympus creator Rachel Smythe, Chinese author Shuang Xuetao, Nevermoor writer Jessica Townsend, and Robin Stevens, who penned Murder Most Unladylike.
New Crime and Mystery Spotlight Track
SWF 2026 introduces a dedicated Crime & Mystery Spotlight track covering thrillers, true crime, horror, and detective fiction. Robin Stevens and Irish writer Louise Hegarty will explore the legacy of Agatha Christie. Silvia Moreno-Garcia will join Singapore writers Jean Tay and Ovidia Yu to discuss crime fiction. South Korean crime writer Seo Mi-ae, Rueben Dass, and Jocelyn Suarez will host sessions on crafting compelling killers and predators on the page.
Did you know? Festival Director Yong Shu Hoong’s final year at the helm of the Singapore Writers Festival is 2026, with the 29th edition exploring how the concept of “Hidden in Plain Sight” applies to modern technology and literature alike.
Singapore and Southeast Asian Programming
Local authors appearing at the festival include Jemimah Wei, Balli Kaur Jaswal, Pooja Nansi, Jeremy Tiang, Myle Yan Tay, Wen-yi Lee, Suffian Hakim, and Daryl Qilin Yam. Ghosh, Wei, and Jaswal will appear together for a panel titled What the Family Doesn’t Say, discussing family secrets, migration, and ambition.
The festival’s SEA xChange track focuses on regional writing, featuring Thai architect and writer Chatchavan Suwansawat and Filipino author Caris Avendano Cruz. Guest curators Chan Cheow Thia, Muhammad Ilyia Kamsani, and Neelakandan Sivanantham shaped the Chinese, Malay, and Tamil programmes respectively. Highlights include a coastal walk at West Coast Park led by Orang Laut SG founder Firdaus Sani, Mandarin literary walks through Yunnan Garden, and a Tamil-language conversation with poet Yuvan Chandrasekar.
This year’s SWF Homage focuses on literary translation, tracing how Singapore literature has moved between languages from the 18th and early 19th centuries to the present day through an online microsite and travelling public installations.
Family and Youth Engagement
SWF Playground caters to children aged 12 and under with appearances by Jessica Townsend and Robin Stevens. Events include live drawing, a comics workshop, and Bring Your ‘Chou Chou’ Day!, where children aged four to six turn soft toys into illustrated stories. The Youth Fringe engages participants aged 13 to 25, featuring Rachel Smythe discussing the digital reimagining of Greek mythology.
Ticketing and Discounts
Festival passes cost S$30, youth passes are priced at S$15, and individually ticketed programmes start from S$5. A 20 per cent early-bird discount runs from September 29 to October 18, 2026. Concessions of 20 per cent are available from October 19 for students, full-time National Servicemen, and seniors aged 55 and above. SG Culture Pass credits are also accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions About SWF 2026
When does the Singapore Writers Festival 2026 take place?
The festival runs from November 13 to 22, 2026, across various venues in Singapore.
Where can I buy tickets and check full schedules?
Tickets and complete programme details are available on the official Singapore Writers Festival website.
Are there free events available at the festival?
Yes, the festival includes a range of free programmes alongside ticketed sessions and passes.