Attending as a Volunteer
We want you to enjoy the Festival. As a volunteer benefit, you are provided with a variety of attendance opportunities. We also ask that you follow certain guidelines.
Enjoying the Author Talks
Watch from the Volunteer Lounge
All Main Stage sessions are livestreamed in the Volunteer Lounge. You’re welcome to watch at any time, whether or not you have a ticket or are on duty.
To keep the space comfortable for everyone:
Please keep conversations quiet during the talks.
Step outside if you need to talk.
The lounge is reserved for current Festival volunteers only.
Ticketed Admission
Volunteers receive complimentary session access based on their scheduled shifts. This system is designed to be equitable and consistent for all, so please be sure to fulfill the shifts you’ve committed to.
Due to limited seating capacity this year, we ask that volunteers request tickets for personal use only. Before requesting or attending in person, we strongly encourage you to consider watching sessions via the Volunteer Lounge livestream or in the Quiet Listening Room, which offer excellent access without impacting seat availability.
Volunteers will submit a ticket request form in advance. Electronic tickets will be distributed in early May.
Volunteers receive one complimentary session per hour of scheduled service, with access ranging from 3 sessions (for 3–3.5 hours) up to 8 sessions (for 8+ hours). Tickets will not be issued if you are scheduled for a shift that overlaps with the requested session.
Standby Admission
If you did not secure a ticket for a session, you may still be able to attend on a standby basis, depending on available seating.
Please follow these guidelines:
You must be present before the session begins (no late entry permitted).
You must have your volunteer badge.
Add your name to the list in the Volunteer Lounge. and wait there until someone from the Line Management Team retrieves you, immediately before the talk begins.
Do not queue or gather in hallways during guest entry.