Melbourne Rare Book Week returns in 2025 with an extraordinary lineup of events, exhibitions, and lectures that celebrate the fascinating world of rare and collectible books.
Since its inception in 2012 as the world’s first dedicated rare book week, the beloved event has grown into an international drawcard, attracting bibliophiles, scholars, and collectors from around the globe.
Running from 24 July to 2 August, this year’s program features 43 free events hosted across Melbourne in collaboration with Victoria’s leading cultural institutions.
Highlights include thought-provoking lectures and panel discussions on a wide range of topics—from significant women in the natural sciences and the English Civil War to the history of free speech, balladeers who sang the news in premodern times, the evolution of medicine from witchcraft to science, and Australia’s first woman crime writer.
A centrepiece of the week is the 55th Melbourne Rare Book Fair, held at Wilson Hall, University of Melbourne, from 31 July to 2 August. Organized by the Australian and New Zealand Association of Antiquarian Booksellers (ANZAAB), the fair will showcase rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera from more than 30 leading local and international dealers.
Melbourne Rare Book Week 2025 promises a rich, educational, and engaging experience for anyone intrigued by the power and history of the written word.
