London Word Festival – Cross art form programming, commissioning of new work and exploring non traditional spaces.
When: 7th April – 5th May
Where: 22 Tonybee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London E1 6AB
Contact: 020 7375 0258
Info: www.londonwordfestival.com
Bristol Poetry Festival –Brings together poets from Bristol, the South West, the UK and the world.
When: 15th – 17th April
Where: Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA
Contact: 0117 917 2300
Info: www.arnolfini.org.uk
Hexham Book Festival – Small festival featuring talks, high profile authors, workshops and independent publishers stalls.
When: 4th May – 12th May
Where: Queens Hall Arts Centre, Beaumont Street, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3LS
Contact: 01434 652 477
Info: www.hexhambookfestival.co.uk
Brighton Festival Fringe – Open access arts festival open to showcasing every art form.
When: 7th – 30th May
Where: 5 Palace Place, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1EF
Contact: 01273 764 900 / info [at] brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk (info[at]brightonfestivalfringe[dot]org[dot]uk)
Info: www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk
Battersea Arts Centre Scratch Festival – International festival showcasing new theatre work.
When: May
Where: BAC, Lavender Hill, Battersea, London SW11 5TN
Contact: 020 7223 6557
Info: www.bac.org.uk
Redbridge Book and Media Festival – Workshops, seminars and events across libraries and community centres.
When: 14th April – 30th May
Contact: arts&andevents [at] redbridge.gov.uk (andevents[at]redbridge[dot]gov[dot]uk)
Info: www.redbridge.gov.uk
Pulse 10 Ipswich Fringe Festival – Taking theatre to alternative venues.
When: 27th May – 12th June
Where: Civic Drive, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2AS
Contact: 01473 295 911 / info [at] wolseytheatre.co.uk (info[at]wolseytheatre[dot]co[dot]uk)
Info: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Lymm Festival –Celebrates visual and performance arts.
When: 23rd June – 3rd July
Where: St Mary’s Church, Church Road, Lymm, Cheshire
Contact: info [at] lymmfestival.org.uk (info[at]lymmfestival[dot]org[dot]uk)
Info: www.lymmfestival.org.uk
Ludlow Festival – Arts festival which includes literature and poetry strands.
When: 25th June – 10th July
Where: Castle Square, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1AY
Contact: 01584 875070
Info: www.ludlowfestival.co.uk
London Literature Festival – Southbank Centre festival exploring the creative use of words in all platforms includes comedy, music and documentaries.
When: 29th June – 14th July
Where: The Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX
Contact: 0871 663 2501
Info: www.londonlitfest.com
Ledbury Poetry Festival – Biggest poetry festival in the UK, it has an exciting programme including live readings, performances, workshops and exhibitions.
When: 1st – 10th July
Where: Church Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1DH
Contact: 0845 458 1743 / admin [at] poetry-festival.co.uk (admin[at]poetry-festival[dot]co[dot]uk)
Info: www.poetry-festival.co.uk
Latitude Festival - Annual music festival that now has a strong performance poetry presence.
When: 14th – 17th July
Where: Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk
Contact: 020 7009 3001 / wanttoplay [at] latitudefestival.co.uk (wanttoplay[at]latitudefestival[dot]co[dot]uk)
Info: www.latitudefestival.co.uk
Port Elliot Festival – Music, literature and poetry festival.
When: 21st – 24th July
Where: St Germans Cornwall, PL12 5ND
Contact: 01503 232783 / info [at] porteliotfestival.com (info[at]porteliotfestival[dot]com)
Info: www.porteliotfestival.com
The Big Chill – Alternative music festival which includes poetry and comedy.
When: 5th – 8th August
Where: Eastnor Castle, Deer Park, Herefordshire
Contact: 020 7009 3001 / info [at] bigchill.net (info[at]bigchill[dot]net)
Info: www.bigchill.net
Edinburgh International Festival - One of the most innovative and exciting festivals, it showcases artists from all over the world.
When: 12th August – 4th September
Where: The Hub, Castle Hill, Edinburgh UK EH1 2NE
Contact: 0131 473 2099
Info: www.eif.co.uk
Bristol Poetry Festival –Brings together inspirational poets from the UK and around the world.
When: 15th – 17th April
Where: Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA
Contact: 0117 917 2300 / boxoffice [at] arnolfini.org.uk (boxoffice[at]arnolfini[dot]org[dot]uk)
Info: www.arnolfini.org.uk
Aldeburgh Poetry Festival – High quality festival open established and emerging writers from all over the world.
When: 4th – 6th November
Where: Aldeburgh, Suffolk
Contact: The Poetry Trust, 9 New Cut Halesworth, IP 19 8BY / 0198 835 950
Info: www.thepoetrytrust.org
Cheltenham Literature Festival – One of the world’s oldest and biggest literature festivals.
When: 8th – 17th October
Where: Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA
Contact: 01242 505 444
Info: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com
Ink Festival – Promotes exciting new writing from the north east region and beyond. A showcase of mini plays short stories and poetry.
When: 18th – 19th November
Where: Jesmond British Legion, 3 West Jesmond Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 3EX
Contact: inkfestival [at] hotmail.co.uk (inkfestival[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk)
Have a great time! :)