Poetry festivals provide the ultimate opportunity to hear poets perform their work, and to enjoy discussing poetry with like-minded folk. So here is a list of poetry festivals taking place in the UK. I have previously attended Cheltenham, Verve and Ledbury myself, and was lucky enough to be invited to perform at the Aberystwyth festival this year(!) but would also love to attend or perform at many of the others (So, if you are a festival organiser, and would like to invite me along to do a reading or deliver a workshop, please do let me know…)

If you know about any other poetry festivals, or if details have changed, please do provide details in the comments section below.

*A Note on Access: I’ve added a * to those festivals that I know usually offer some hybrid or online events, but my own knowledge of this is limited, so please do comment if you know more details.

This list only covers those festivals that focus mainly on POETRY. There are many other wonderful literary festivals in the UK (such as the famous Hay Festival) not included in this list, because their main focus is on fiction or non-fiction, rather than poetry.

Autumn

Tears in the Fence Poetry Festival in Stourpaine near Blandford Forum, in Dorset (September)

Morecambe Poetry Festival (September)

Derby Poetry Festival  an annual four-day festival (October). They also run online events.

The Edward Thomas Literary Festival in Petersfield, Hampshire (October)

Winchester Poetry Festival is running a small one-day event this year (October in 2026) but will be back with a full festival in 2027.

Wirral Poetry Festival (in October)

Poetry in Aldeburgh takes place on the Suffolk Coast each year (early November)

Winter

*Verve Poetry Festival takes place in Birmingham. They also run lots of online events throughout the year. I attended the very first Verve, and love the way they combine page poetry and spoken word in one poetic space. They recently put the festival on hold, until funding could be secured.

Stanza International Poetry Festival takes place in March in St Andrews, on the East Coast of Scotland. This one is very popular, and has been running for many years. I’ve never been to it myself but would love to go one day! (Though I was lucky enough to have my poetry-film screened as part of the 2026 festival).

Teignmouth Poetry Festival in Devon (March)

Spring and Summer

*Cheltenham Poetry Festival usually takes place in April with a 10 day programme of events. I attended this one back in 2016, but it’s grown a lot since then. They also run lots of online events throughout the year, and a competition.

Lyra Poetry Festival takes place in Bristol (late April)

Launceston Poetry Festival (early May) in Cornwall

Stamford Poetry takes place in April – please add details if known.

Newcastle Poetry Festival is normally in May. This is a very popular one.

*Suffolk Poetry Society Festival in May 2025 (hybrid) This is separate to Poetry in Aldeburgh.

Welshpool Poetry Festival is organised by Pat Edwards and has been running for a long time. 6th-7th June 2025

Aberystwyth Poetry Festival is in May this year (8th-10th), on the West Coast of Wales. I was delighted to be invited to read at the 2024 festival, and am returning this year (2026) for an ekphrasis-focused event!

*Ledbury Poetry Festival at the end of June / beginning of July is one of my personal favourites.

Nottingham Poetry Festival took place in June last year, but apparently the dates may change future years.

RS Thomas & ME Eldridge Poetry & Arts Festival is held each year in the Welsh coastal village of Aberdaron (North West Wales) in June.

The Wee Gaitherin Poetry Festival in Stonehaven, Scotland takes place in early August each year.

Other Festivals which don’t appear to have dates yet…

Kirby Lonsdale Poetry Festival – please add details below if you know more

Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival in Edinburgh

Sheaf Poetry Festival takes place in Sheffield, and was previously held in May, but is currently on hold, I think.

General Literary Festivals that include a significant proportion of Poetry-focused events:

Aspects Festival in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. September/October

Gwyl Môn Anglesey Writing Festival offers poetry workshops and readings – in September

Litfest, Lancaster

Thank you to all those who have helped compile this list!

Please do add any further details in the comments below. I’d also love to hear personal recommendations from those who have attended any of these festivals before!