Polari Events
Here you'll find information about upcoming events produced by the UK's leading live platform for LGBTQ+ writers and spoken word performers.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Discover the vibrant voices shaping LGBTQ+ literature today at our upcoming Polari events. From captivating readings to engaging panel discussions, each Polari event celebrates creativity, diversity, and the power of storytelling.
Join us at a wide variety of venues across the UK – from bars to bookshops, arts centres to libraries, nightclubs and Pride festivals – for events filled with inspiration and community spirt. Whether you're a lifelong lover of live literature or have never attended a literary event before, there's something for everyone.
"Always fun, always thought-provoking" - Sarah Waters
"The most exciting literary movement... crackling with energy, ideas, excitement" - Huffington Post
"Polari provokes the strongest responses from its audience – love, laughter, tears but most of all, thought" - Val McDermid
Upcoming events are part of The Polari Prize 15th Birthday Showcase, funded by Arts Council England.
Wed Oct 28. 6.30-8.15pm. £10
With Leon Craig, Fiona Keating and John McCullough.
Polari at The Dragonfly Lounge
Mon Nov 9. 7.30-9pm. £6-£8
With JP Seabright, Joelle Taylor and Katy Jon Went.
Polari at North Edinburgh Arts
Nov 12. 6.30-8pm. £6-£10
With Fiona Mozley, Chitra Ramaswamy and Alessandra Thom.
Polari at Newcastle City Library
Nov 14. 12noon-1.30pm. £5
With Jay Gadhia, Rosie Garland, Jennifer Ingleheart and Chitra Ramaswamy.
Polari at Pyle Library
Nov 17. Time TBC
With Norena Shopland, Sarah Tanburn and Christina Thatcher.
Polari at Aunty Social, Blackpool
Nov 23. 7.30pm. £5-£7.50
With Hook, Stephen May and Joelle Taylor.
Nov 24. 7.30pm. £6-£10
With Clare Beloved, Natasha Devon, Rosie Garland and Joelle Taylor.
Nov 26. 7.30pm. £6-£10.
With Will Belshah, Jay Gadhia, Rosie Garland and Hook.
Nov 30. 7pm for 7.30pm. £10-£15
Hosted by Paul Burston, with Dee Chanelle, Son of a Tutu and more TBA. Maur Valance on the door.
Polari at Bert's Books
Dec 9. 7pm.
With Paul Burston, Casey Garfield and more TBA.
2024-11-29 19:00
Polari Prize 2024 at the British Library
The British Library
With Julia Armfield, Paul Burston, Jon Ransom, Hifi Sean and David McAlmont. T his is an in-person only event in the British Library Pigott Theatre. Tonight, the winners of this year’s Polari Prize awards are announced. Host Paul Burston is joined by p
2024-11-23 10:00
Polari at Books on Tyne, Newcastle
Lit & Phil Library
With Paul Burston, William Hussey, Andrew McMillan and VG Lee. Newcastle Libraries and the Lit & Phil are very pleased to be collaborating once more on the 12th Books on Tyne Festival. We hope that our programme offers something for everyone: from the Newca
2024-11-21 00:00
Polari Children's & YA Prize Online Panel
Online Events
Polari Prize Virtual Panel : LGBTQ+ Writing for Kids - Why does it matter? Polari Prize Virtual Panel event: LGBTQ+ Writing for Kids - Why does it matter? Join Jodie Lancet-Grant as she talks to some of this year's shortlisted writers about their bo
2024-11-15 08:00
Polari at Sweatbox Soho
SweatBox Soho
With Neil Bartlett, Alexis Gregory, Piero Toto and Kostya Tsolakis. London's multi award-winning LGBTQ literary salon gets steamy at Soho's multi award-winning, men only gym and spa. Hosted by Paul Burston with Neil Bartlett, Alexis Gregory, Piero Toto an
2024-11-15 00:00
Polari Live Online
Two weeks before this year's Polari Prize winners are announced at The British Library, Polari goes live online with shortlisted authors Nicola Dinan, Viola Di Grado and Paul Stephenson. Viola Di Grado is a London-based Italian author with works published i
2024-11-06 00:00
Polari on Sea
The Printworks
Polari returns to The Printworks, Hastings with Paul Burston, Adam Macqueen, VG Lee, Joelle Taylor and more TBA. Adam Macqueen is the author of the Tommy Wildeblood thrillers in which ex-Piccadilly Circus rent boy Wildeblood finds himself caught up in a ser
2024-10-29 00:00
Polari Prize Shortlist Showcase at Queer Lit, Manchester
Queer Lit
With Rachel Dawson and Orlando Ortega Medina.
2024-10-26 00:00
Polari at Norwich Book Festival
Norwich Book Festival
With Karen McLeod, Jon Ransom and David Shenton.
2024-10-23 00:00
Polari at Uxbridge Library
Uxbridge Library
With Gaar Adams, Karen McLeod and Kostya Tsolakis.
2024-10-15 00:00
Polari at Exeter Phoenix
Exeter Phoenix
With Paul Burston, Joshua Jones, VG Lee, Natalie McGrath and Nicholas Pegg.
2024-09-29 19:00
Polari at Ironworks Studio, Brighton
Ironwork Studio
With Neil Bartlett, Karen McLeod, Orlando Ortega Medina and Joell