National Poetry Day 2026
October 1
About National Poetry Day 2026
National Poetry Day 2026 is Thursday 1 October 2026. In 2027, it falls on Thursday 7 October. National Poetry Day always takes place on the first Thursday of October each year.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 October | Thursday |
| 2027 | 7 October | Thursday |
| 2028 | 5 October | Thursday |
National Poetry Day 2026 Theme: Wonder
The theme for National Poetry Day 2026 is Wonder, announced by the Forward Arts Foundation. The theme explores the sense of awe, curiosity, and astonishment that poetry can evoke – and the capacity of words to express feelings that resist ordinary language.
National Poetry Day 2026 is partnering with Hot Poets, the UK’s leading climate and literature organisation, and poet Michael Rosen to explore climate science and action through poetry under the theme of Wonder. Free resources including assembly plans, classroom activities, and performance guides are available from the Poetry Society and the National Literacy Trust.
What happens on National Poetry Day?
National Poetry Day is the UK’s biggest annual celebration of poetry. Schools, libraries, bookshops, arts venues, workplaces, and public spaces across the UK hold readings, performances, workshops, and events. Poems are projected onto buildings, read on buses, broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and shared millions of times on social media.
The Forward Arts Foundation coordinates a national programme including live events, poet commissions, and a flagship reading with leading UK poets. Thousands of schools take part through specially designed lesson resources aligned to the annual theme.
How to get involved with National Poetry Day 2026
- Read a poem aloud – to yourself, a friend, a class, or a colleague. Even a short poem read with care makes an impression.
- Write a poem on the theme of Wonder – an observation, a memory, a question. First drafts welcome.
- Visit your local library – many hold free events, readings, and displays for the day.
- Use free school resources from the Poetry Society and National Literacy Trust, available several weeks in advance.
- Share a poem on social media with #NationalPoetryDay and #Wonder.
- Host a reading at your workplace, community centre, or care home – even 15 minutes of poetry can lift a room.
What is National Poetry Day?
National Poetry Day was founded in the United Kingdom in 1994 by the Forward Arts Foundation to celebrate the richness of poetry and promote its place in everyday life. It has grown from a modest event into the UK’s largest annual poetry celebration, reaching millions of people each year through schools, public events, media coverage, and online activity.
Each year, a single theme is chosen months in advance so that teachers, poets, publishers, and organisers can create work and plan events around it. Past themes have included Truth (2019), Vision (2020), the Environment (2021), The Power of Poetry (2022), Time (2023), Counting (2024), and Together (2025).
National Poetry Day in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
National Poetry Day is observed across all four nations of the UK. Scotland celebrates as part of a broader literary culture that includes the Edinburgh International Book Festival. In Wales, it sits alongside Eisteddfod traditions and the long-established culture of Welsh-language poetry. Schools in Northern Ireland use the day to explore poetry from across the island of Ireland.
Frequently asked questions
- When is National Poetry Day 2026?
- Thursday 1 October 2026. It always falls on the first Thursday of October.
- What is the 2026 theme?
- Wonder – exploring awe, curiosity, and the capacity of poetry to express what ordinary language cannot.
- Who organises National Poetry Day?
- The Forward Arts Foundation, working with the Poetry Society, the National Literacy Trust, and a wide network of arts and education partners.
- Is there a World Poetry Day?
- Yes – World Poetry Day, organised by UNESCO, is on 21 March each year. National Poetry Day is a separate UK and Ireland event.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-08. Fixed incorrect date (article said October the 3rd; correct date is Thursday 1 October 2026). Added 2026 theme “Wonder” from Forward Arts Foundation. Restructured to lead with dates and theme before definition; removed generic hashtag section.
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