Thursday 4th June – Sunday 14th June
Nottingham Poetry Festival returns this June and we’re delighted to once again be supporting this brilliant celebration of words, creativity and community across our city.
At Castle Rock, our aim has always been to bring people together, which is why Nottingham Poetry Festival feels such a natural fit. This year’s theme, Rooted in Nottingham, is especially meaningful to us too. Nottingham isn’t just where we’re based, it’s part of who we are. For 25 years we’ve also worked alongside Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to help protect nature and support a wilder Nottingham.
What makes this year’s festival particularly special is seeing those worlds come together: ten days of poetry, conversation, community and nature, all rooted in the same place.
Alongside a packed programme taking place across the city, a number of fantastic events will be hosted in Castle Rock pubs this year:
In keeping with tradition, Nottingham Poetry Festival kicks off at the Fox & Grapes with an evening of open mic goodness and friendship.
Want to perform? Pop your name down upon arrival. Fancy a sneak preview of the amazing talent appearing across this year’s festival? Grab a comfy seat and settle in.
Hosted by the lovely NPF team, this event is the perfect way to begin ten days of words, creativity and community.
Free entry, from 7pm–11pm.
Join the Dandelions poets at the Barley Twist for an evening celebrating familiar favourites and exciting new voices.
This warm and welcoming poetry community invites everyone – from experienced performers to first-time readers – to share poems they love and discover something new along the way.
Free entry, from 5pm–7pm. View the Facebook event here.
Pints n’ Poets returns to the Barley Twist basement for an evening of epic verse, groovy tunes and poetic chaos.
Expect open mic spaces galore, live music, absurdity, emotion and creative brilliance from performers near and far.
There will be Rockin’. There will be Rollin’. There will be Readin’.
Free entry, from 6:30pm–9:30pm.
Poet, comedian, songwriter and glasses-wearer John Hegley brings his wonderfully unique mix of poetry, storytelling and music to the Canalhouse.
From busking outside Westminster tube station to BBC radio specials, Perrier nominations and twelve published books, Hegley has become one of the UK’s most distinctive literary voices.
Expect poems, songs, audience participation and, naturally, potatoes.
Tickets available here. From 7pm–10pm.
We’re delighted to welcome Vanessa Kissule and Cara Thompson for a special joint headline show at the Poppy & Pint, with support from the mighty GOBS Collective.
Vanessa Kissule is an internationally acclaimed writer and performer whose work has appeared with organisations including the BBC, Tate and Glastonbury Festival.
Joining her is Nottingham’s own Cara Thompson – writer, performer, Nature Poet Laureate and interdisciplinary artist whose work explores heritage, memory and the natural world.
Expect an evening of bold voices, brilliant storytelling and unforgettable spoken word.
Tickets available here. From 7pm–10pm.
Henry has long been part of Nottingham Poetry Festival’s story, and ours too. In the early days of Nottingham Poetry Festival, we celebrated the Nottingham-born poet and NPF Co-Founde with a special Castle Rock beer named in his honour. The beer was a 4.2% Golden Mild created as part of our Nottinghamian Celebration Ales range.
Interviewed by LeftLion at the time, Henry was asked whether he’d describe himself as “golden and mild.”
“That don’t sound too bad at this stage in me life,” he replied. “I’ve always been slightly mild – as you imagine most poets to be.”
Back once again for another tour of Nottingham Libraries, Henry Normal and friends treat us to a tour of the book palaces of our city.
From growing up in Nottingham and discovering poetry through Nottingham libraries and pubs, to co-creating The Royle Family, founding Manchester Poetry Festival and helping launch Nottingham Poetry Festival itself, Henry’s career has always championed creativity, accessibility and community. His work moves effortlessly between the hilarious and the deeply heartfelt, often finding wonder in the everyday, and occasionally the wider universe, too.
We’re especially delighted that this year’s festival once again includes a series of free and accessible events across Nottingham libraries, continuing Henry’s long-standing belief that poetry should belong to everyone.
Nottingham Poetry Festival takes place across the city this June, with workshops, performances, talks and open mics happening throughout Nottingham.
We can’t wait to welcome poetry lovers old and new into our pubs once again.
See you there!
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