Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival 2026

Taking part in venues across Bristol

Lyra returns in 2026 with a 10-day programme from April 17th to 26th, featuring readings, performances, workshops, poetry slams, walking tours, open mics, family events and panel discussions. The 2026 theme, Wonder & Wanderers, explores migration, movement and multiculturalism through poetry, alongside the wonder and mythology evoked through landscape and nature.

Events will take place across Bristol at venues including St. George’s Bristol, Arnolfini, Watershed, Bristol Old Vic, Loco Klub and SS Great Britain, bringing together international poets, nationally recognised voices and Bristol-based artists.

Headline events include Shara McCallum at the Caribbean Poetry Liming alongside Anthony Joseph and Malika Booker, a performance from Canadian spoken word artist Shane Koyczan, and the Lyra Poetry Slam judged by Musa Okwonga and Caitlin O’Ryan.

Family audiences can see Michael Rosen, while Travis Alabanza headlines a Queer Poetry Cabaret. The programme also includes theatre shows by Joelle Taylor and Inua Ellams, alongside readings from new poetry collections by Nikita Gill, Rishi Dastidar, Karen McCarthy-Woolf, Wayne Holloway-Smith, Matthew Rice and Clare Pollard.