31 (Plus One) Ways to Celebrate Poetry Month 2026

Poetry Month

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Your poetic Advent calendar is ready!

Words matter. Poetry is the perfect way to write the lines for these times.

From 1 to 31 August — plus one very special finale on Saturday, 5 September — Poetry Month returns for its sixth year, celebrating poetry in all its forms. Whether you love words on the page, live performances, spoken word, workshops, music or unexpected poetic encounters, there's something for everyone in this year's program.

To keep with the Red Room Poetry tradition, our annual Poetry Month Advent Calendar is back, offering a poetic prompt or event for every day of August (plus one extra). Explore the list below, fill your diary, and join us for a month-long celebration of poetry across the Continent.

On 1 August, start engaging with our beloved 30in30 daily poetry competition. Each day in August, a new commissioned poem is published by one of our 30in30 poets. Simultaneously, you are invited to interact with our daily writing prompts in our 30in30 Writing Competition and have the chance to win fabulous book prizes brought to you by our partner, Dymocks.
On 2 August, tune in to Line Break's weekly poem, our weekly curation of contemporary poetry on ABC Radio National — every Wednesday between 12:50 and 1:00 pm — and experience a contemporary poem read live by the poet.
On 3 August, come along to The Next Big Thing in Melbourne — a showcase of six outstanding emerging poets sharing bold new work that explores the possibilities of language and the future of Australian poetry.
On 4 August, find a poetic event in your community via our Poetry Month Calendar. If you're hosting a poetry contest in August, you can share your event via the Community Calendar.
On 5 August, from the comfort of your home, join celebrated industry leaders at the online panel event Poetry and the Australian Publishing Industry: A 2026 Snapshot.
On 6 August, experience a hands-on online masterclass with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Jericho Brown exploring The Duplex — his innovative poetic form blending the ghazal, sonnet and blues — through guided writing and creative experimentation, all from the cosiness of your sofa. For those in WA, on 6 August, you can join us at Blak Ink: First Nations Showcase for a powerful evening of poetry, performance and truth-telling celebrating the richness and diversity of First Nations voices, led by Blak poets sharing stories of Country, culture, identity and community. Also on 6 August, if you're either in Adelaide or Cairns, come join us at our community-led events, Poetry Month X Interplay: Conversations (Adelaide) and Poetry Month X This Fresh Hell - Feminist Poetics (Cairns).
On 7 August, our partners Dymocks Sydney invite us to their place for Poetry, After Dark. Come along to watch award-winning poets and writers in an evening of conversation, live readings and reflections on the collections that illuminate the darker moments of life.
On 8 August, check out Poetry Month's learning resource. Perfect for teachers, parents and students, these free exercises and prompts can help poetry expand beyond the classroom.
On 9 August, it's Sunday! Invite your friends for a picnic where each one of you reads your favourite poem. Pastries and poetry: what's not to love?
On 10 August, share your love for poetry by gifting someone a poetry book you loved reading or add one to a street library near you.
On 11 August, make your inbox more poetic by subscribing to our most beloved newsletter, Friday Poem.
On 12 August, join Animals of Love with Michael Pedersen online to explore love in all its strange, tender and unexpected forms through close readings of contemporary poems, playful writing prompts and creative experimentation. If you're in VIC on 12 August, Fire Moves Faster (Geelong) invites you to an evening of poetry, performance and conversation exploring the power of language, storytelling and community through live readings from acclaimed poet Maxine Beneba Clarke accompanied by original compositions from Amaya Laucirica.
On 13 August, encourage young writers in your life to enter the Poem Forest Prize. Since 2021, Poem Forest has planted a tree for each poem submitted by students across the continent.
On 14 August, VIC people strike luck twice! Join us at Fire Moves Faster (Bendigo) to experience Maxine Beneba Clarke and Amaya Laucirica's magic live on stage.
On 15 August, meet us in Merimbula for the world premiere of Gaga Wakulda at Far South Film Festival, a powerful documentary film commissioned by Red Room Poetry and directed by Tad Souden celebrating First Nations languages, poetry and the deep cultural connections carried through story and song. If you're in Byron Bay on 15 August, join us at Beyond the Lines: Byron Showcase — an evening of poetry, performance and conversation celebrating emerging voices, creative expression and the power of stories shared aloud.
On 16 August, make a tax-deductible donation to help Red Room Poetry continue bringing poetry to every corner of the country with programs like Poetry Month, Poem Forest, and more.
On 17 August, find your new favourite poem by visiting Red Room's poetry archive — the largest gallery of contemporary poetry in Australia!
On 18 August, everyone's welcome at Accessible Online Open Mic — an inclusive virtual event where poets of all experience levels can share their work, connect with a welcoming community and celebrate the joy of poetry.
On 19 August, explore the art of persona poetry with acclaimed Irish poet, Pádraig Ó Tuama, in a creative workshop that delves into writing from different perspectives, voices and imagined selves through guided prompts and discussion. All online!
On 20 August, host a poetry movie night with your friends. Use the occasion to share your favourite films that remind you of the power of poetry. Have fun!
On 21 August, experience Red Dirt: NT vs SA Poetry Showcase in Alice Springs — a vibrant celebration of poets from the NT and SA, bringing together powerful voices, live performance and unique stories of place and community. If you live in the ACT, there's also something for you on 21 August: Red Room Poetry X NGA: Friday Art Talk invites audiences to an engaging conversation exploring the connections between poetry, visual art and creative expression at the National Gallery of Australia.
On 22 August, don't let yesterday's inspiration go to waste; share your favourite poetic quote on social media using the hashtag #PoetryMonth.
On 23 August, Alice Springs will host a conversation about Love, Empire and Poetry with Poetry Month Youth Ambassador Jihad Yassine and Aboriginal poet and Red Room First Nations Producer Luke Patterson.
On 24 August, get to know Red Room Poetry's projects by visiting our website. From educational projects like Baraya Barray - Whale Song, mental health-focused projects like MAD Poetry, passion projects like Phone-a-Poem, there is something there for everyone!
On 25 August, Bankstown (Sydney) will be effervescent with two poetic events: Bankstown Poetry Month Slam — with a feature set by the acclaimed poet Hasib Hourani — and an in-person free workshop: Writing Poetry with Hasib Hourani and Bilal Hafda. Unmissable!
On 26 August, you can choose between two incredible workshops: Elegy with Tusiata Avia — exploring the art of writing elegies through memory, grief, love and transformation — or Too Much Information with Hera Lindsay Bird — a playful and insightful workshop exploring personal voice, vulnerability and the possibilities of oversharing in poetry.
On August 27, warm up for the poetry night of nights with Luxuriating in Poetry with Evelyn Araluen — a generous workshop exploring the joy, intimacy and possibilities of poetry — before joining us for the much-anticipated National Poetry Month Gala at the State Library of New South Wales, our annual spectacular celebration bringing together poets, performers and poetry lovers for an unforgettable evening.
On 28 August, Friday asks for some poetic flair. Start your first meeting today by sharing a poem with your colleagues.
On 29 August, gather your friends for a Saturday night boogie session filled with poetic tunes, good vibes and the songs that make you want to dance!
On 30 August, head to the Blue Mountains to partake in our annual Red Room Fellows Showcase live at Varuna, the National Writers' House.
On 31 August, the month might be over, but poetry doesn't have to be! Let your words be heard on Share a Poem Day. Share your favourite poem or your own work on social media and use the hashtag #ShareAPoem to celebrate the power of poetry and connection.
On 5 September, for an incredible bonus night, join us for a special screening of Dead Poets Society at Sydney Opera House introduced by legendary Australian filmmaker Peter Weir and Red Room Poetry Artistic Director David Stavanger, celebrating one of cinema’s most beloved tributes to poetry, creativity and the power of finding your voice.

Happy planning! We look forward to seeing you throughout August.

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