Tickets now on sale for the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival! Masterclasses, agent 121s, talks, walks and much, much more!
See the programme here
Evening Events
There's something happening on each of the evenings of the festival - from networking to awe-inspiring words.
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Come and along spend your evening with us.
📆 Download the full line-up in chronological order with prices and times by clicking this link​.
Friday Night Social
Urban Gardens - 7pm to 9pm
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Join us on Friday 24th April 2026 for our evening social event, where you will meet and mingle with other festival attendees, speakers and supporters in our informal networking event.
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Chat about your challenges, successes and bugbears - and pick up friendly tips and advice (as well as a moan about the writers block and apostrophes!)
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Meet new friends, reconnect with others and perhaps carry on the party into the early hours (which has been known!).
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Don't worry if you are shy: festival organisers and volunteers will be on-hand to introduce you and start conversations.
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£15 includes your first drink
Events are subject to change.
Bournemouth Writing Festival is not responsible for the content of the events.
Live band improvisation
“One of the most solidly entertaining, energetic and talented performances.” Exeunt Magazine
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Tongue Fu is built around live band improvisation - poets, writers and storytellers perform on stage as a band creates the music in the moment, responding to every word, rhythm and twist of the performance.
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Hosted by poet and musician Chris Redmond (BBC Radio 4, 6 Music), this Bournemouth Writing Festival special brings together competition winners from the Bournemouth Writing Prize, festival guests, and top comedy-spoken-word performers for a one-night-only showcase.
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With headliners Jonny Fluffypunk and Vanessa Kisuule, expect a high-energy, big-hearted show that’s part gig, part experiment and completely unrepeatable.
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£15
7:30pm, Saturday 25th April 2026
Pavilion Dance
Events are subject to change.
Bournemouth Writing Festival is not responsible for the content of the events.
The Write Move
Arts University Bournemouth presents a Poetry and Dance showcase, celebrating local poetry through words and movement featuring headliner Ashley Hickson-Lovence.
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A showcase of poetry and movement to celebrate the culmination of Bournemouth Writing Festival 2026, hosted by Dr James Cole. The evening will comprise dynamic live movement/dance responses to recordings of poetry by local writers and students.
Headliner Ashley Hickson-Lovence will close the evening sharing work from his new novel, About to Fall Apart, and a sneak peek at his upcoming YA novel Dead Ends published in August.
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If you missed Ashley last year, then this event is a must-see!
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Pay What You Can
Sunday, 7:30pm
Pavilion Dance
Events are subject to change.
Bournemouth Writing Festival is not responsible for the content of the events.