Aldeburgh, one of the most prestigious poetry festivals on the calendar, celebrates its 25th anniversary on 8-10 November with a programme featuring 30 poets from seven countries in 55 interconnecting events (13 free) spread across nine venues in Aldeburgh and at Snape in Suffolk.

The main three-poet readings include Alison Brackenbury, Nikola Madzirov (Macedonia), Vera Pavlova (Russia), Karen Solie (Canada), Robin Robertson and four Americans, D. Nurkse, Katha Pollitt, Robert Wrigley and Terrance Hayes. Ian McMillan will be giving a talk on British Surrealist poetry, 'My Euphonium is Made of Cheese', performing a Saturday night solo spot, and unveiling the visual/verbal work 'Pilotage'. Panels of international poets will discuss'Poetry and Beauty (can the two co-exist anymore? does beauty matter?) and Since the Wall Fell (changes to poetry in Europe in the last 25 years). Ben Whishaw is part of a trio of young British actors who'll be 'Performing Christopher Logue', specifically Logue's ferocious and funny masterpiece New Numbers and his 1959 Red Bird jazz suite based on Neruda poems, with live quintet. Throughout the weekend, a free shuttle bus will connect the new venues at Snape Maltings with the festival's first home in the coastal town of Aldeburgh. More details 

NOVEMBER

Aldeburgh poetry festival, 8-10 November 

Humber Mouth literature festival, Hull, 8-13 November 

Plymouth international books festival, until 9 November

Woodstock poetry festival, Oxfordshire, 14-17 November

Chorlton book festival, south Manchester, 15-23 November

Second Light autumn festival, London, 21-23 November 

2014

FEBRUARY

Bishop’s Castle arts festival, Shropshire,  20-23 February

Organisers, send us links to your festivals at news@writeoutloud.net, and we will endeavour to list them here, if they include poetry events. You can also upload individual festival events yourselves on our renowned Gig Guide.