Support the Future of Poetry in Bristol 🎉
Become a Friend of Lyra and help us champion poetry in all its forms – from main stage performances to community workshops, from emerging voices to international headliners. Your membership supports the annual Lyra Festival, the Bristol City Poet scheme, Young City Poet programme, and our ongoing work with local schools and communities. #Poetry #bristol
👀Why We're Here👀
(This pic is from the very first Lyra back in 2019 with Festival Poet @sastrytom ❤)
👉Our aim is to showcase poetry in the widest range of forms possible, including readings, slam competitions, film screenings, walking tours, digital media, panels, open mics, lectures and more.
👉We believe poetry is something for everyone to enjoy and participate in, and our festival aim is to be inclusive, diverse and accessible to all, as well as involving participatory activities. We offer BSL and captioned events, online/digital content, and all of our live activities take place in wheelchair accessible spaces.
👉We aim to connect communities of Bristol through poetry and co-curate experiences, and we welcome partnerships and collaborations from other organisations.
Learn more & book at
#Lyra #LyraFestival2025 #bristol #southwest #Poetry #WeirdAndWild
You can experience the festival from the comfort of your home by purchasing our Digital Events Pass and watching on-demand until May 31st 2026
This includes a live stream / on-demand link for the following events:
Lyra Slam Qualifying Rounds
The Power of Poetry: Panel Discussion
Queer Poetry Cabaret
Michael Rosen
Working Class Poetics
From Dust We Rise: Young Voices of Gaza
Shaping the Wave: Deaf, Disabled & Neurodivergent Poetics
Lyra Bristol Slam Finals
Poetry, AI, Ethics and Inclusion
Domestic Shadows: Wayne Holloway-Smith + Guests
Women Poets Network: Open Mic
Nikita Gill: Hekate & Poems of Mythology
KIN: Tending the Flame
Wonder and Wanderers
Roots, Resonance and African Heritage
Part of Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival 2026
#lyrafest
💚TOMORROW NIGHT💚
Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival 2026 Slam Champion @chloe.tenesha is back performing at @arnolfiniarts with @rtbspokenword for the Poems of Diaspora event!
See you there 👀
💚Enzie is winner of the inaugural Glenn Carmichael Award💚
Glenn Carmichael brought poetry slam to Bristol in the mid 90's and laid the foundation for what the spoken word scene in Bristol is today. In honour of his legacy, we've introduced the Glenn Carmichael award, which goes to the highest audience scored poet which this year goes to @itsenzie for her Top 3 performance at the Lyra Poetry Slam Finals.
Congratulations Enzie - Well deserved 👏
Join Bristol City Poet Sukina Noor during the season of Eid for a poetry workshop exploring voices from across the Muslim world.
Date: Sat 30th May 2026
Time: 15:30 - 17:30
Venue: Arnolfini
Price: FREE
Book now: /e151310
💚🙏Thank you to our volunteers!🙏💚
Our turquoise-clad volunteers are the ones who keep the show on the road. Thank you for answering questions, scanning tickets, and being a friendly face!
P.S. You can make our volunteers happy by filling out an evaluation form if you haven't already
#lyrafest #poetry #bristoluk
If you enjoyed Lyra Festival, you'll love @diverseartistsnetwork 's Diaspora!
From 1–10 May, Bristol and the South West will come alive with a ten-day celebration of global culture. With around 100 events spanning workshops, exhibitions, and world-class performances, this year’s festival is a unified stage for the region’s diverse creative talent.
💚THANK YOU!💚
Lyra wouldn't happen without our audience - it's been lovely to see and share poetry with you.
If you haven't already, please fill out an evaluation form 🙏
a joy to read for @lyrafest right on the water with the marvellous Sophie Dumont, Saili Katebe, Asmaa Jama + The Avonas - especially having just returned from the river Ouse in York for a celebration of creative writing with @englishlityork 🩵🌊
