A Day in Carlton is back for 2025 and this year it’s even bigger and better!
We're bringing you (just over) 24 hours packed full of literary goodness! Eavesdrop on conversations at La Mama; hear music and poetry at the Church of All Nations, celebrate food at CO.AS.IT.; listen to storytellers and creators at the Carlton Courthouse; and indulge in romance in the aisles at Cinema Nova.
Carlton already holds many lifetimes of stories: friendships formed here have changed language, food, politics and culture. We have curated the A Day in Carlton program to varied interests – from politics to romance, food to poetry, global affairs to walks through history, and on to language and passion, music and art, and, last far from least, giant pigeons and wombats. A Day in Carlton celebrates Carlton’s past and its right now.
'Working with Mark Rubbo and the entire team at Readings to pull together a program that celebrates ideas and imagination is a joy. What unites those of us who work at Readings is that we all truly love writers, poets and musicians, and therefore the planning of this special day gives us a chance to celebrate them. It's a gift. I hope our program makes YOU want to join in.’ —Chris Gordon, Readings community engagement and programming manager
Explore the full program here!
Good things to know:
Keep an eye on our socials for local deals on the day!
Coffee & Sweet Treats
Perk yourself up before a day of literary fun with delicious Eritrean coffee and sweet treats, in support of local migrant and refugee women and their families. Serving at Church of All Nations Community Centre from 9.30am–12.30pm. Cash preferred.
Pop-up Readings shops
La Mama HQ
The Carlton Courthouse
Church of All Nations
The Readings Church Bar
Friday 14 November, 5.00pm–10.00pm
Saturday 15 November, 1.00pm–7.00pm
For kids, big and small!
Watch out for a giant pigeon causing mayhem on Lygon Street on Saturday 15 November from 10.30am to 11am.
