FAQs for 2026
You’ll receive a booking confirmation by email on purchase. Tickets are emailed one week before the Festival. More about ticketing.
All sales are final. Selected sessions will be available to livestream. Full ticketing terms and conditions
Book 3 or more different paid sessions and receive a 15% discount on all paid tickets in your cart. Free ticketed sessions don’t qualify. More about ticketing.
Yes, but the discount only applies if you’ve also booked at least two other paid sessions too.
No. Free ticketed sessions don’t qualify for the Multipack discount.
Yes, all paid sessions require a valid ticket. Single tickets go on sale in July. Many free experiences also require pre-booking.
All sessions are unallocated seating. Arrive before the start time and join the queue to enter.
Want to jump the queue? Become a Member of The Ethics Centre.
There’s a box office at Carriageworks and Dendy Newtown during Festival hours, but we strongly recommend pre-booking to avoid missing out.
Some free sessions are ticketed – we recommend reserving to help with planning.
July 2026.
All sales are final. Session swaps are not available. Contact us if you have a concern.
Selected sessions may be livestreamed and recorded. These will be announced in August 2026.
Unfortunately Sir Salman Rushdie has withdrawn from his scheduled Australian tour for health reasons. We wish Sir Salman a full and speedy recovery. The full Festival program continues as planned from 20-30 August, at 14 days across Sydney, featuring over 115 sessions and 19 international speakers.
Sir Salman Rushdie says: “It is with real regret that I must cancel my upcoming appearances in Sydney and Melbourne. I need urgent eye surgery, and my surgeon has advised me against long-distance travel while I recover. With only one functioning eye, I have no choice but to prioritise this essential surgery. I am deeply sorry to disappoint the readers and audiences I was so looking forward to meeting, and I hope to make the journey to Australia before too long. My apologies to all.”
Ticket holders for The Price of Ideas will be contacted directly. Killing Culture will continue as scheduled and a new guest will be announced soon to join the existing stellar line up of Maria Alyokhina (RUS), Brook Andrew, John Cameron Mitchell (USA) and Sisonke Msimang. The full Festival – featuring 115 sessions and 19 international speakers across 10 days – remains on sale and selling fast.
Book online: https://festivalofdangerousideas.com/program/
Yes. For wheelchair access, Auslan interpretation, dietary requirements or any other need, contact our access manager at boxoffice@festivalofdangerousideas.com or call/text 0421 748 454. Please include your name, phone number and preferred contact method. Guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome. Note: The State Library and Australian Museum excursions have no wheelchair access.
Latecomers will be given access to the venue during a suitable break in the session. Some sessions will be subject to a lockout. This will be made clear on your tickets, which you will receive 7 days before the Festival.
Sessions may include mature language, adult themes and distressing content. Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Age 16+ is recommended for all general sessions.
The following are strictly 18+: Fake, Meltdown, Stacks of Danger, Holding Hatred, Off the Record, and the screenings of Salò and Shortbus.
HEAP is available to ages 12+ accompanied by an adult.
For schools, a dedicated School Day program is available for Years 9–11. Contact schools@festivalofdangerousideas.com for more information.
Very limited. Public transport or rideshare is strongly encouraged. For accessible parking please contact us.
Very limited. Public transport or rideshare is strongly encouraged. The excursion to Mount Annan includes transport departing from Central.
Yes. Carriageworks has an onsite café serving breakfast, lunch and supper, with a fully licensed bar. Dendy has a candy bar. Sydney Town Hall has a basic theatre bar.
Workshops at The Ethics Centre include light refreshments. Excursions to Mount Annan include a boxed lunch. Other excursions do not have food provided – we recommend bringing your own.
Via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, the On Demand section of our website, and our YouTube channel.
The soil – certified VENM grade – will be redistributed for reuse. Gloves and masks are provided for participants.
REVELATION. From the Latin revelare – to unveil, to uncover. What happens when secrets spill, systems crack and illusions collapse? In 2026, the Festival invites you to face the truths we’re told to ignore. Because once you’ve seen it, there’s no going back.
Thanks for offering – we would love you to join the team that makes it all possible. Register your interest here.
Contact us and we will connect you with the right person.
Ticket sales cover 30% of the cost of delivering the Festival. The rest is funded by donations, grants and partners. Meet our partners
The Festival is presented by The Ethics Centre, an independent not-for-profit. Read their Annual Report.
Contact Caroline Hendry caroline@commonstate.co
Media release available here.
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation - the custodians of the country on which we meet - and acknowledge their Elders, past and present.
The views and opinions expressed by the Festival participants are not necessarily the views of The Ethics Centre and our partners.