Curious

Curious, the Sydney Opera House Ideas Festival unpacks the ideas shaping headlines, sparking debate and changing the way we see the world. 
A culture-shaping intellect who makes us look anew at ourselves, one of Australia’s most-cherished comedic performers and an internationally celebrated chef lead the line-up of influential thinkers from across the country and the world at the Sydney Opera House’s ideas festival, Curious.
Set across two dates, this year’s program will unpack the human experience, dismantle the past and make prophecies for the future. It spans the mysteries of consciousness to a childhood on the run with one of the FBI’s most wanted women to the family drama tearing apart a powerful media empire.  
The Curious 2026 program includes:

Michael Pollan’s Journey into Consciousness

Magda Szubanski: I Can’t Tell You, But I Will

Sami Tamimi’s Garden

Bonfire of the Murdochs

Can it Happen Here?

Octavia Butler Told You This Would Happen

One Revolution After Another

Caligula on the Potomac

Where’s the AI Off Switch?