Push The Boat Out poetry festival has unveiled the programme for its next instalment, alongside a new home at Pleasance. Taking place from Thursday 20–Sunday 23 November, this year’s programme will grapple with three themes: the strong ties between poetry and punk, the human impact on our planet, and an exploration of belief and imagination beyond the everyday. 

More than 60 events will take place during the three day celebration of spoken word, including poetry and performance from Leena Norms, Luke Kennard, Anthony Anaxagorou, Marjorie Lotfi, Zinnie Harris, Karen McCarthy Woolf, Victoria Chang, Lorna Goodison, Anthony Vahni Capildeo, Najwan Darwish, Noor Hindi, Roseanne Watt, Michael Mullen, and more. 

Amongst the almost-household names visiting the festival is Len Pennie, the champion of the Scots language whose new collection Poyums Annaw was released last month. Big-hitters will also be present during a pre-launch event on The Fingal (a floating hotel anchored in Leith), which will feature Hollie McNish and Edinburgh’s Makar Michael Pedersen. 

Cross-disciplinary work will receive a strong showing at the festival, with performances from poets like Iona Lee, Taylor Dyson, Craig Aitchison and Garry MacKenzie. Also on the bill is work from theatre collective What Now?, a gig from local favourites Tinderbox Collective, an ‘alternative gig night of poetry, pedals and synths’ from Acolyte, RJ Hunter and Gray Crosbie sharing new work in Scratch Night, and an exhibition celebrating Ian Hamilton Finlay, one of the Edinburgh’s best known poets. 

Emma Collins, director of Push The Boat Out, said: ‘From high-energy poetry slams and late-night scratch performances, to thought-provoking panel discussions, immersive workshops, development days and genre-blurring collaborations, PTBO continues to push poetry far beyond the page. 

‘We’re really looking forward to delivering this year’s programme at the Pleasance, one of Edinburgh’s most beloved festival venues and once again, the billing offers variety through its cross-art form experiences. The 2025 festival reaffirms its commitment to showcasing iconic poets, fresh voices, radical perspectives, and unexpected intersections between poetry and other art forms, including spoken word, music, and theatre. Whether you’re a lifelong poetry lover or a curious newcomer, there are multiple ways to engage with the poetic form via a true celebration of words on and off the page across the weekend.’

Push The Boat Out, Pleasance, Edinburgh, Thursday 20 –Sunday 23 November; main picture: Neil Hanna.