Show Tunes and Winter Warmth: Words in Winter Launches 2026 Program
The cooler months are officially here, and the Words in Winter team kicked off the season in spectacular style on Sunday 5 July. A vibrant crowd packed into Back Bar to celebrate the official launch of the 2026 festival program, setting a high bar for the winter arts calendar.
While the winter weather was crisp outside, the atmosphere inside was electric, largely thanks to a captivating performance by Jack Shilvock. The Dja Dja Wurrung, Gunditjmara, and Yorta Yorta singer absolutely stole the show, treating attendees to a brilliant medley of classic show tunes. Moving effortlessly from the smooth crooning of Dean Martin to a show-stopping Elvis Presley finale, Shilvock brought the house down and provided the perfect celebratory energy for the launch.
In between the musical highlights, the official festival lineup was unveiled, offering a first look at the diverse array of writers, artists, thinkers, and performers set to descend on the region this season. From deep-dive panel discussions to hands-on creative workshops, this year’s program promises to be one of the festival's most inspiring iterations yet.
Explore the Program
The full Words in Winter program is now officially live.
- Printed Guides: Pick up a physical copy at Paradise Bookshop, Tourist Info Centre or Daylesford Library.
- Digital & Tickets: View the complete program online and secure your tickets
Popular sessions have limited capacity and are expected to sell out quickly, so early booking is highly recommended.
Photos by: Markie Linhart, Festival Photographer