Organisers have lined up a fantastic programme for the Nottingham Poetry Festival with more than 40 events packed into two weeks from 13 to 22 June 2025.
The festival will once again showcase poetry in all its forms from emerging artists at open mics to nationally acclaimed poets, poetry set to music, poetry slams, workshops, debates and so much more across 50 plus venues.
Headline acts this year include the Ambassador for Independent Bookshop Week, Michael Pedersen, award winning trans writer, RJ Hunter whilst three of the country’s finest hip hop acts and lyricists, Jah Digga, JayaHadADream and Cappo will perform at Metronome with full live bands.
Tickets are available for a select number of performances while the majority of the festival programme remains free to access. This all comes against a challenging funding backdrop, with the festival still reeling from losing 100 percent of its funding from Arts Council England as it prepares to celebrate its tenth year.
Tommy Rosley, Nottingham Poetry Festival director, said: “Nottingham Poetry Festival is celebrating its 10th year and we are absolutely committed to making it the best we can. It was a huge shock not to receive the ACE funding after ten years of running this very successful nationally lauded event.”
While this year will go ahead as planned, the long-term future is more uncertain unless alternative funding can be secured.
Tommy added: “Nottingham is being hit hard right now by cuts to services across the city, the arts, and much more. Many across the city and the arts sectors are feeling the pressure.
“This is the same for countless projects and organisations across the city. There has been very little grassroots arts funding in Nottingham this year and many creative industries, organisations, venues and individuals are feeling huge pressure across the city and country. Thanks to sponsors It’s in Nottingham and Castle Rock Brewery, Nottingham Poetry Festival will still go ahead in June, it is too precious a thing to let fade. The show must go on! ”
The team is working hard to make sure this year’s festival still packs a punch and is calling on everyone to come and out and show their support – whether that’s buying a ticket, attending a free show, performing at an open mic or signing up to be a volunteer.
Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham commented: “Nottingham Poetry Festival is vital to our city’s creative and cultural life. Supporting it means backing the voices, stories and talents that make Nottingham unique. In the face of funding challenges, we’re proud to stand behind this festival and help ensure it continues to inspire, connect and uplift our communities.”
Festival creative director Alma Solarte-Tobón said: “We take great pride in our city’s vibrant poetry scene, and this year is no exception. Despite the challenges, we have some great headline acts visiting our city, but it is mainly our local poets and the community that inspire us to continue this celebration. Recognising groups such as DIY Poets, GOBS, Poets Off the Endz, Young Carers, and many other wonderful, talented poets is what this festival is all about. Our city, our words—We are Nottingham!”
Here’s a few key highlights:
Thursday 12 June
Nottingham Poetry Festival Launch at Fox and Grapes pub, Sneinton, FREE
For 10 years, NPF has celebrated Nottingham’s spoken word scene – bringing together local artists and national name performers. This open mic night gives everyone a turn on stage as the festival kicks off. Bring your own writing, one of your favourites from someone else or just turn up to listen. Want to take part? Sign up on the night!
Friday 13 June
Jah Digga, JayaHadADream and Cappo perform with full live bands, Metronome, £10-£15
Three of Nottingham’s finest lyricists come together for an unforgettable evening of poetry and live music. All performing with full live bands.
Saturday 14 June
Queer friendly show with trans performer RJ Hunter, Fisher Gate Point, £10-£12
RJ Hunter (they/she) is an award-winning writer, theatre-maker and performance poet based in Scotland. RJ Hunter writes with urgency yet empathy, and is known for blistering performances that exhilarate any audience. Hunter’s first full-length solo show has been performed to sold-out crowds across the country and was met with critical acclaim, including being deemed ‘the future voice of the medium of spoken-word’ (Corr Blimey). RJ Hunter is the 2023 Loud Poets Grand Slam Champion and the Runner-Up at the Scottish Slam Championship 2024.
Saturday 21 June
Michael Pedersen, Five Leaves bookshop, £5-£8
Poetry Ambassador for Independent Bookshop Week, Michael Pedersen will be at Five Leaves bookshop. A prize-winning author, the Edinburgh Makar / Poet Laureate and Writer in Residence at Edinburgh University. Michael’s prose debut, Boy Friends, was published by Faber & Faber to rave reviews, and was a Sunday Times Critics Choice. His third collection, The Cat Prince & Other Poems, won the Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Best Poetry 2023. Pedersen has been shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Poetry and The Saltire Scottish National Book Awards, and won a Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship. His work has attracted praise from the likes of: Stephen Fry, Bernardine Evaristo, Irvine Welsh, Kae Tempest & many more. His debut novel, Muckle Flugga, is published by Faber in May 2025.
Sunday 22 June
Poets Off The Endz followed by the festival closing party and open mic at Peggy’s Skylight, FREE
Poets Off The Endz are going from strength to strength. Multiple sellout shows and a collaboration with The Hustle Collective and Nottingham Poetry Festival led to Jah Digga’s brilliant collective penning their first spoken word theatre show in 2024, performed to a sellout audience receiving rave reviews. Come and join them for poems, songs and stories of living, surviving and growing through the world we live in – ‘A phenomenal success’ – Left Lion.
Keep an eye on the festival socials for updates, and don’t forget to download the Castle Rock app for special offers and more at their participating pubs.
Tickets will also shortly be released for a special show Celebrating Ten Years of Nottingham Poetry Festival at Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday 22 November, with a line up featuring the original festival founder Henry Normal along with Lemn Sissay, Joelle Taylor and Salena Godden.
The festival is sponsored by It’s in Nottingham and Castle Rock Brewery, and supported by Nottingham College and NUCOL.
Posted on 16 May 2025
