Veteran Northern poet James Nash launches his fourth collection of sonnets (and more). Notes of Your Music sets out to celebrate what may be gone, or flag up what might be celebrated before it goes.

Learn about the history of queer poetry, and using inspiration from the workshop, produce your own works of poetry reflecting on your LGBTQ+ identity. All ages and previous experience levels welcome. All materials provided.

Opportunities to share your work afterwards, including contributing to the Leeds Zine Library and performing your work at an event in the future. 

Learn about the history of queer poetry, and using inspiration from the workshop, produce your own works of poetry reflecting on your LGBTQ+ identity. All ages and previous experience levels welcome. All materials provided. 

Opportunities to share your work afterwards, including contributing to the Leeds Zine Library and performing your work at an event in the future. 

Live in the Assembly Bar + Kitchen!

Readings by a different local published poet each month and this month we’re delighted to welcome Doug and Maria Sandle

A PAIR OF SANDLES – POETRY AND SONG

Doug has been published  in several publications, including Poetry and Audience, Poetry and Covid, The New European, The Ekphrastic Review, The Psychologist, Manx Reflections, Orbis, and most recently The  High Wolds Poetry Collection 2023 and 2024.  

Instituto Cervantes Leeds is delighted to announce a unique literary event, "An Encounter with Journeying Poetry" featuring acclaimed Spanish poet and translator, Verónica Aranda.

Join local poet, Clare Wigzell, for an hour of quiet contemplation. We will listen to some poems, walk in silence within the abbey and grounds, connect to our inner selves.

Pre booking advised. Normal admission applies.

Chemistry is back on Friday 30 May, with another night of poetry and spoken word, two brilliant headliners and our amazing open mic. This time round our headliners are renowned Bloodaxe poet Helen Ivory, and former Poetry Business prize-winner Luke Samuel Yates.

The events are themed on the elements of the periodic table, so this time it’s element number 19, which is K for Potassium. The theme is entirely optional, but we hope you might use it as a creative prompt to come up with some new work to reveal on the night.

Reading doesn’t have to be a lonely hobby – Chapel FM Arts Centre is here to prove it! 

Readathon is an overnight reading event. Come for all or part of this Midsummer's Night and help read an entire book out loud, or just listen. 

Watch the sunrise through the stained glass in Chapel FM's beautiful radio theatre, followed by a Readathon Big Breakfast.

Blur the Lines returns for a special event celebrating their 10th show since their very first one which took place at the inaugural Leeds Lit Fest. 

Expect a night of powerful performances featuring poetry, rap and more! It’s been quite the journey, with two sold out shows at Leeds Playhouse plus an event in association with Come Play With Me, this year they’re also at Howard Assembly Room for Leeds Jazz Festival 2025. 

SI Leeds Literary Prize is the biennial award for unpublished fiction by Black and Asian women writers.

A national award with proud Yorkshire roots, the Prize has supported the careers of many successful writers, including Bradford's Saima Mir, Kit de Waal, Mahsuda Snaith, Amita Murray, Season Butler and Stella Oni.