The Cheltenham Poetry Festival returns to the community for its 15th anniversary this spring, with a ten-day programme beginning on 9 April 2026. Running through 18 April 2026, the festival will host a series of poetry readings and workshops at venues including St Paul’s Church Cheltenham and the Cheltenham Friends’ Meeting House.
Founded in 2011 by poet Anna Saunders, the festival operates as a Community Interest Company. The organisation functions without public funding, relying instead on donations and support from sponsors such as the University of Gloucestershire and the event’s headline sponsor, the local law firm Lodders.
The theme for this year’s event is “Be possessed by poems,” featuring a lineup that includes well-known writers such as Rishi Dastidar, Gregory Leadbetter, Fiona Sampson, and Rosie Garland. Mr Dastidar is set to lead a workshop on the theme of memories, as well as a “Possessed by Poetry” event. Beyond the main performances, the festival maintains an outreach programme designed to support individuals who face economic or physical barriers to participating in local arts and culture.
Tickets for all events are currently available for purchase through TicketSource. The festival continues to serve as a platform for both established and emerging poets, building on its history of bringing literary performances to the region.
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