A festival built on words, community and the deep cold of a Daylesford winter
Words in Winter has been gathering writers, readers and curious minds in the Hepburn Shire every August for over two decades. It began as a small community gathering. It has grown into something that surprises us every year.
Where it started
Words in Winter was founded in Daylesford in 2002 by David Hall and his late wife Lorelle as a celebration of literature, storytelling and community creativity during the colder months.
What started as a handful of events in a church hall has grown into a five-day festival that continues to honour David and Lorelle’s vision of connecting people through the power of words.
The festival brings together authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers and audiences from our region and beyond to share the joy and power of words in all their forms.
Words in Winter is entirely community run, proudly regional and joyfully itself.
Artists and authors supported to share their work and creativity
Total attendees and tickets sold across the festival's history
Volunteers who have contributed their time, energy and enthusiasm over the years
What we stand for
Community over spectacle
We are not a prestige festival — we are a community festival that takes literature seriously and takes joy seriously, too. Every decision starts with the question: does this serve the people who live here and those who travel to be part of something?
That means prioritising local voices, ensuring access and cultural safety for all, and creating uplifting experiences because belonging isn't just about being invited — it's about feeling welcome.
Emerging alongside established
We have always believed that the most interesting conversations happen when emerging writers share a program with established ones — that mix is not accidental, it is the point.
Debut novelists sit beside Miles Franklin longlisted authors; local poets open for nationally recognised voices. We champion the next generation right alongside today's favourites, because that's how a literary community stays alive and vital.
Built to last, on Djaara Country
When you volunteer, partner, or attend, you're investing in a festival run by locals for over two decades — and built to be here for decades more.
We honour the Djaara people and their long history of storytelling on this Country, and build with care, joy, and belonging — because lasting things are made together, right here.