Edinburgh's international poetry festival, Push the Boat Out (PTBO), has announced its 2026 programme featuring over 120 artists across 75 events. The festival, scheduled for November 12–15 at the Pleasance and various satellite venues in the city, will offer a mix of poetry, performance, music, workshops, and creative collaborations. Tickets will be available starting October 1, 2026, aligning with National Poetry Day.
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A preview event will take place on October 31, featuring former national Makar Jackie Kay aboard the Fingal, a luxury floating hotel.
This year's festival theme, "The Space Between," will explore transitional and liminal spaces, both physical and metaphorical, and address the cultural significance of shorelines and their vulnerability amid the climate crisis.
A highlight will be "The Space Between," showcasing three new poetry-led performance commissions in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland. Works include "Terror Error" by Sunnah Khan, which responds to the historic sentencing of four activists as terrorists in June 2026; "Tits" by Gray Crosbie and Guy Woods, blending spoken word with birdsong; and "Spatial Murmurs" by Catherine Street and Nancy Burns, incorporating poetry, voice, and film.
Additionally, a new work by poet Iain Morrison and visual artist Corin Sworn will arise from PTBO's inaugural residency with Little Sparta. The festival's closing event features a collaboration between musician Aurora Engine and writers JL Williams, Dean Atta, and Kirsty Logan, combining music and poetry for a grand finale.
Other festival events include an Opening Night Cabaret headlined by Luke Wright, the Scottish premiere of Joelle Taylor’s "Maryville," focusing on lesbian counterculture, and an evening with poet Henry Normal to discuss his latest anthology.
Anthony Joseph and his band will deliver a performance blending spoken word, Afrobeat, and funk at the festival's Saturday Night Gig, also leading a creative writing workshop. Shoreline-themed events will invite participants to explore the coast's cultural and transformational influence, featuring workshops and performances by poets and musicians.
Curated by Scots Makar Peter Mackay, "Our Many-Voiced Country" will celebrate the diverse languages and perspectives in Scotland's literary landscape, with international poets like Naomi Shihab Nye and Fady Joudah participating.
Festival Director Emma Collins emphasized that PTBO 2026 aims to engage audiences with intimate readings and innovative new commissions, inviting them to experience poetry in varied forms.
Special culinary events will include a Poetry Tasting Menu hosted by food writer Ella Risbridger and a Words and Wine event pairing wine with performances from Kate Ireland.
The festival will also address poetry's role in activism and social justice, featuring panels and discussions on subjects like women's representation and activism. Events for children and families will also be introduced, including a session with former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho.
Alan Bett from Creative Scotland noted the festival's efforts to support writers through various initiatives, while Councillor Margaret Graham praised its contribution to Edinburgh's cultural identity.
PTBO will offer industry sessions on publishing and mentorship, alongside the New Writers Awards in collaboration with Scottish Book Trust. Community engagement efforts will continue through partnerships with local organizations and schools.
The complete festival programme is accessible online at the Push the Boat Out website, showcasing PTBO’s commitment to diversity and innovation in poetry.