Our much-loved festival returns. Join us for Derby Poetry Festival 2025 (abridged)
- derbypoetryfest
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 12
Derby Poetry Festival is returning for 2025 with an 'abridged' version of our much-loved festival, a 48-hour celebration on Thursday, 2nd and Friday, 3rd October, with workshops, events, and a Slam.
Earlier in the year, we shared that Derby Poetry Festival CIC was unsuccessful in our application to Arts Council England, and shortly after, due to technical issues, ACE project grants closed to new applications.
Although it's been an extremely difficult time, we're aware that this feeling isn't exclusive to us, as many brilliant projects have been unable to secure funding. We did promise we'd do something, and something we are doing, we're back for a 48-hour extravaganza, or as some would say, an abridged version.
The festival team will be back on the 2nd (National Poetry Day) and the 3rd of October with a spectacular Bad Betty collaboration, two workshops and the Slam on Friday night.
Tickets are available now on our website, with applications for the slam closing on the 14th of September.
So, who will you see at the festival? With the applications for the slammers not closing until the 14th, we aren't able to announce the competitors just yet; however, it will be a brilliant one with some familiar faces returning to judge and Dan Webber back on hosting duties after DPF Young Producer Tilly Wiggins and Aoife O'Connor's takeover last year.
To celebrate National Poetry Day, a 2-hour workshop on Thursday with Desree that promises to be energising and get your creative juices flowing, which will be inspired by her collection Altar (Bad Betty Press). From playing around with lists to building imagery, unexpected connections, and powerful storytelling.
You'll be able to catch Desree perform later that day at the Old Bell Hotel as part of the DPF x Bad Betty Live feat. Agata Maslowska, Antosh Wojcik & Desree, a night that promises to be entertaining.
Friday morning will kick off with a workshop from Antosh Wojick, an exploratory workshop on image. Both of the workshops will take place in the Riverside Library (Council House, Corporation Street).
That evening, we will host the 7th annual Derby Poetry Festival Slam, where the 14 poets will go head-to-head for the title. Follow us for the slammer announcement and grab tickets to see who will be crowned this year's slam champion.
During the festival week, we will also make a few announcements and close our crowd funder, which is currently open and raising money to help us through the next few months of delivery, including our Derby Young Writers Group for 10-17-year-olds.
This year's festival has been made possible with all the support and love from our community and cultural partners, especially Derby Museums and Bad Betty, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you. Click below for the full programme and tickets.
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