Poetry / Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival
Michael Rosen and Shane Koyczan named as headliners for the 2026 Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival
Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival will make a welcome return to the city on April 17 for 10 days of live poetry and spoken word performances, theatre, talks, open mics, writing workshops, walking tours and one-off events.
Well worthy of its place amongst the recent Bristol24/7 Legends nominations (in the performing arts category), Lyra has cemented its position in the city’s cultural landscape, regularly attracting sellout audiences to its richly varied programme.
For 2026, participating venues will include Arnolfini, St. George’s Bristol and Watershed – and the full programme launch is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
Queer Poetry Special at Lyra Fest 2025 – photo: Charley Williams
Two headliners, however, have already been announced. The first is Michael Rosen, award-winning and celebrated poet, author, broadcaster, academic and former UK Children’s Laureate.
Also joining Lyra this year will be the Canadian spoken word artist and author Shane Koyczan, whose TED talk To This Day… for the bullied and the beautiful has now been seen by over 4 million people.
Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa, Lyra 2025 – photo: Sam Cavender
Danny Pandolfi – a rapper, poet, educator and co-founder of Bristol spoken word institution Raise the Bar – is the artistic director of Lyra.
“We’re really excited to bring yet another buzzing festival programme of poetry activities to Bristol”, he enthuses; “a city with one of the country’s most thriving and dynamic poetry scenes and a rich history of poets and activists, from the Romantic poets to contemporary spoken word stars.
Raise the Bar at Lyra Fest 2025 – photo: Liz Murray
“With the annual Lyra Poetry Slam competition, family friendly events, film screenings, literary/historical walks, panel discussions and welcoming workshops for curious first-timers, Lyra truly has something for everyone.”
For poets, too, the festival has a uniquely special character – 2025 guest poets Susie Wilson and Pascale Petit have both cited the inclusive atmosphere and warmth that pervades Lyra.
As well as helping to ensure the future of the festival – which is also reliant on funding support from Arts Council England – revenue raised through ticket sales is instrumental in the delivery of Lyra’s year-round work.
Alongside school and community projects, Lyra-led schemes including the Bristol City Poet and Young City Poet harness the power of poetry to foster meaningful connection and champion creativity in the south west.
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Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival is back on April 17-26 at multiple venues across Bristol.
The full programme will be announced in the coming weeks at www.lyrafest.com. Follow @lyrafest for festival updates. You can become a supporter of Lyra’s year-round work here.
Main photo: Sam Cavender
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