Leonard Cohen Festival

A unique festival celebrating the life and enduring influence of Leonard Cohen will be held at Bondi Pavilion on November 8, 2026, marking the 10th anniversary of the legendary artist's death.

Running from 2pm until 9pm, the Leonard Cohen Festival will bring together acclaimed writers, playwrights, performers and musicians for an afternoon and evening of theatre, conversation, reflection and live music inspired by one of the most significant cultural figures of the twentieth century.

The event will explore the extraordinary breadth of Cohen's artistic legacy, including the themes of faith, love, identity, mortality and spirituality that ran throughout his work.

The festival program includes a keynote address by acclaimed Canadian author Michael Posner, whose three-volume oral biography, Leonard Cohen: Untold Stories, draws on hundreds of interviews with people who knew and worked with Cohen.

Audiences will also experience the world premiere of a new Leonard Cohen play by renowned Australian playwright Timothy Daly, directed by celebrated theatre-maker Moira Blumenthal.

The program will feature a panel discussion with artists and writers whose work has been influenced by Cohen, including author Joanne Fedler.

The festival will conclude with an evening of live music exploring the poetic, emotional and spiritual themes that made Cohen's songs and writing so distinctive and enduring. Cohen's Jewish heritage and spirituality will also form part of the festival, reflecting an important influence on both his life and creative work.

The Leonard Cohen Festival promises to be a memorable experience for anyone who admires Cohen's work, while offering new audiences an opportunity to discover the artistic, philosophical and cultural themes that continue to make his legacy so relevant today.

Age Suitability: All Ages