By The Eye desk · Last verified 28 September 2026
The Singapore Writers Festival runs for about ten days each November, with more than 200 talks, readings, workshops and performances. It’s one of the few literary festivals anywhere to bring English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil together. A single Festival Pass covers most programmes; in 2025 it cost S$30 for adults and S$15 for youth, and Singaporeans could pay with SG Culture Pass credits. Some special events are ticketed separately.
Quick facts
- Held over about ten days in November.
- More than 200 programmes.
- Four languages: English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil.
- 2025 Festival Pass: S$30 adult, S$15 youth.
- SG Culture Pass credits can be used for passes.
- Early-bird passes are sold before the festival.
What is it?
Singapore’s main literary festival. It began in 1986 as a biennial event, and is now organised by Arts House Limited for the National Arts Council. It brings international and Singaporean writers together for panels, meet-the-author sessions, workshops, performances, film screenings and exhibitions, mostly in and around the Civic District.
How do passes work?
The Festival Pass gets you into most programmes across the festival. In 2025, it cost S$30, with a S$15 Youth Pass, and super early-bird passes sold for S$21 until late September. Some programmes, such as family performances, are ticketed separately, at about S$10 in 2025.
When is the 2026 festival?
Check the festival’s website for this year’s dates and line-up. Recent editions have run over ten days in the first half of November; in 2025 it ran from 7 to 16 November.
The WahLiao Verdict
At about S$30 for ten days of talks, it’s one of the best-value culture tickets in Singapore, and cheaper still with your SG Culture Pass credits. Buy the pass early, then pick sessions in a language you don’t usually read in.
Questions people ask
Can I use my SG Culture Pass?
Yes. Festival Passes have been eligible for SG Culture Pass credits.
Is there anything for children?
Yes. Recent festivals have had family programmes, some ticketed separately.
Do I need a pass for everything?
The pass covers most programmes; some events are ticketed separately.
Where does it take place?
At venues across the city, centred on the Civic District and The Arts House.
Sources: Honeycombers, Singapore Writers Festival 2025; The Straits Times via Asia News Network on 2025 passes and programmes; HomeTeamNS on the festival’s history; ArtsEquator on its organisers.
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For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
