All About Women Festival Reveals First Speakers On The 2026 Lineup
Image: Image: Sydney Opera House
The All About Women festival is set to take over the Sydney Opera House again in 2026 when it returns to Sydney for its fourteenth edition.
The Sydney Opera House has just announced the first headliners of the 2026 edition of the popular festival, and it is jam packed with prominent names.
Most significantly set to make an appearance is former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern. Coming fresh from the 2025 release of her autobiographical documentary Prime Minister, Arden will also draw from her bestselling memoir A Different Kind of Power, discussing subjects like redefining leadership and the future for women in power.
Arden will be accompanied by BBC journalist, now podcast host Emily Maitlis who conducted the infamous Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor interview in 2019 as well as award-winning author Zadie Smith and novelist and essayist Laila Lalami.
“These first four speakers demonstrate the program’s prodigious range, with literary powerhouse Zadie Smith, who always shows us our world in a new way; former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who gives us new ways to wield power; journalist Emily Maitlis, who fearlessly holds power to account; and author Laila Lalami, who offers unparalleled insight into the immigrant experience in the US,” said Sydney Opera House Head of Talks & Ideas, Chip Rolley.
Symbolically held on International Women’s Day on 8 March, the 2026 festival will also include conversations, panels, and workshops exploring gender, justice and equality.
Since debuting in 2013, the All About Women Festival has grown from being a small, primarily talks event to having evolved into a recognised celebration of feminism. Attracting millions each year either in physical appearance or online, the festival now features big international and local headliners, inspiring workshops and visual art, making it a highlight event.
The full program for All About Women 2026 will be announced in January.
Tickets for All About Women 2026 go for sale on 4 December 2025.
