FREE EVENTS & COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING JULY 16-22

The Sun Valley Writers’ Conference (SVWC) is excited to bring some of the country’s brightest minds and most influential authors, innovators, scientific experts, playwrights, poets, and policymakers to Sun Valley each summer. While we are a nonprofit that relies on pass sales and donations to operate, a large part of our mission is to expand access to our content and outreach programs within local schools, libraries, and the broader community. We have developed many products and events aimed specifically at these goals, but our offerings continue to sell out and fill up at record-setting rates. Not wanting to turn away eager booklovers, we have opened its doors even wider, both virtually and in-person.

“We are developing programs for all types of people who want to enjoy SVWC,” says Marketing & Communications Manager Kate Elgee Haase. “For the hundreds of people who try to buy passes but they sell out, for the people who can’t afford to buy a full pass, but also for students and kids, young adults, Spanish-speakers, and those with health concerns or hearing impairment.”

For the past several years, both the Full Conference Pass ($1,100) and Next Generation Pass ($550 for those 35 and under) have sold out within minutes. “It’s a wonderful problem to have,” says Elgee Haase. “We love that there is so much enthusiasm to join our event and we never want to turn people away. We hope these programs will help make our content even more accessible.” With free livestreaming and lawn talks as well as a Live Watch Party in downtown Ketchum, we offer something for every type of bibliophile.

See below for all the exciting ways to join SVWC in 2025, including free events and community programming, none of which require a full pass or donation. We recommend signing up for our email newsletter to receive important updates and information about these events.

Ciclo de conferencias comunitarias GRATUITO

SVWC is again partnering with The Community Library to host free lectures for the local community, with two speakers bookending this year’s Sun Valley Writers’ Conference—Ruth Reichl on July 16 and Sonia Purnell on July 22. Both talks will be held at 5:30pm at The Community Library. Registration opens May 5 at 9am at The Community Library website. Visit svwc.com/community-speaker-series for more details.

Charlas GRATUITAS sobre el césped del pabellón

Bring a picnic, blanket, and low-back chair and join us on the Sun Valley Pavilion lawn July 19-21—select presentations will be broadcast live to the large jumbotron. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and no ticketing or registration is required. You can browse the Bookstore Tent to purchase books by each author and attend book signings following each talk. For a complete schedule and more details, visit svwc.com/free-lawn-talks.

Retransmisión en directo GRATUITA

Can’t join in person? No problem—you can livestream select talks from SVWC from anywhere in the world. You don’t have to leave your home to enjoy presentations by some of the country’s—and the world’s—best writers and thinkers. Free virtual talks will take place July 19-21. Registration will not be required this year. For more details and information, visit svwc.com/livestream. Check back regularly as new talks are added.

FREE Pavilion Talks for Local Students, Teachers, and Library Staff

SVWC invites local Wood River Valley students, teachers, and library staff to attend Pavilion Talks for free. As long as there is space available and the talk isn’t at capacity, you can check in at the Bookstore Tent’s Info Desk 30 minutes prior to each talk to get your pass. Please bring proof of identification in the form of a school or library ID.

Contenido digital GRATUITO

Did you know that we have a free digital media library on our website? Everything from Beyond the Page podcasts and SVWC audio and video recordings to of some of the most popular Pavilion Talks throughout the years. You can experience all the best of SVWC at your leisure—anytime, anywhere. Explore the entire digital media library at svwc.com/media.

Live Watch Party at The Argyros

For the second year in a row, SVWC will be hosting a Live Watch Party at The Argyros theater in downtown Ketchum! This July 19-21, we will broadcast select talks from the 2025 Conference throughout the day. Passes are only $25 per day, available for purchase at the SVWC website on June 23. We will have a bookstore on-site as well as SVWC gift items, special guest appearances, drinks, music, and more. For details and information, including available talks and how to purchase passes, visit svwc.com/watchparty.

Special Series Pavilion Pass (NEW!)

This year, in place of single event tickets, SVWC has a new offering—the Special Series Pavilion Pass! You can purchase passes to the Sun Valley Pavilion for a series of three afternoon talks each day on July 20 & 21 ($150 per day) and for one very special talk on July 19 ($50). Passes will be on sale June 2 at the SVWC website. For more information and to see the lineup, visit svwc.com/pavilion-pass.

Fotografía: Ray Gadd