A unique poetry festival that combines 'celebrity' poets with grassroots spoken word is returning from 18-20 September at Morecambe, with events at the King's Arms pub, the town's famous Winter Gardens, and other venues. The festival's top names include Dr John Cooper Clarke, Salena Godden, Henry Normal, Jackie Kay, Robin Ince, Elvis McGonagall, Luke Wright, and Kate Fox. Award-winning local poet Trystan Lewis, who will be supporting John Cooper Clarke on the opening night, has headlined spoken word nights across the north-west, won the 2024 Plough poetry prize, back-to-back local prizes at Morecambe poetry festival, and was longlisted for the 2026 Forward prize. 

He said: "The first Morecambe poetry festival was the thing that got me writing again for the first time in a very long time and every year it refills the tank with inspiration and enthusiasm."

Action at the King's Arms on the Friday night includes the late-night They Shoot Poets Don't They open mic. Early risers can enjoy a poetry breakfast on all three days leading into the day's activities such as the free Word Walk or the workshop 'So you think you can't write a poem, let us prove you wrong!' at the library on Saturday. 

Each year festival organiser Matt Panesh invotes poets to contribute to a poetry festival anthology. This year's anthology is the biggest yet, with an entertainers and anniversaries theme to mark the centenary of the birth of Eric Morecambe. Copies will be available to buy at the festival, with profits going back into the event. The four winners of the local poetry slam are also preparing for their moment on the main stage with workshops and stagecraft sessions at the Winter Gardens led by Matt Panesh.

Trystan added : "It's great how Matt manages ways of giving local poets the chance to be heard on the same stage as some of the country's biggest names. It's a precious thing."

Matt added: "This is something we've been building on from year one. It's also the reasoning behind our anthologies. It's all about giving people the opportunity and the confidence. I want our local poets to go onto that stage and own it, proving they've every right to be in front of a packed audience at the town's historic performance venue." 

A free children's programme led by Hot Poets, the UK's leading climate and literacy organisation and Carnforth poet laureate Bryan Griffin will showcase the work of children taking part in workshops in the run-up to the event, open mics, and creative events at Morecambe town library. A new 'Poetry for the People' pedal powered stage at the Arndale has been introduced, giving more performance opportunities and open mic slots to accommodate the growing demand. 

Dr John Cooper Clarke, aka the Bard of Salford, will also be joined by Jan Brierton on Friday 18 September. Patience Abgabi and Nick Helm headline the evening Saturday show at 5pm, followed by Salena Godden and Henry Normal - back for the fifth time - at 7.30pm.

The festival closes on Sunday with Luke Wright and Kate Fox at 5pm and Brian Bilston and Attila the Stockbroker at 7.30pm. All individual shows are £25 plus booking fee, with the full weekend pass with access to every show £65.

Comedian, author and broadcaster Robin Ince is returning to the festival on Saturday, taking the stage at the King's Arms at 1pm, before a Burning Eye takeover, Demi Dhotel, Des Mannay, Tim Barlow and a Geordie takeover. The late-night action comes from Pete Ramskill and Dave Viney, followed by more open mic. There's a chance to meet some publishers on Sunday at 11am, before the poetry starts with Jackie Kay at midday, followed by Lisa Moore, Peter Shukie, Elvis McGonagall and two more regional takeovers. The Newton Neurotics and Monkey Poet - performing new poems - take to the stage before the last open mic of the festival weekend brings the curtain down.