Poetry Happens Here
Santa Barbara is a thriving creative community which includes poets and poetry lovers of all kinds. Santa Barbara even has its own poetry press, Gunpowder Press, which includes local poets in its Shoreline Voices series.
Upcoming & Recent Poetry Events
- Carlos Andrés Gomez & Brent Ameneyro reading, SBPL, August 19A reading celebrating the winner of the 2026 Alta CA Chapbook Prize and the winner of the 2025 National Indie Excellence Juror Choice Award.
- The Poetry Club, Goleta Valley Library, August 16A monthly event: read a favorite poem or one of your own, or simply enjoy the voices of others. Sunday, Aug. 16, 2-3 pm.
- Poetry Zone Open Mic, August 13Bjorn Birnir hosts an open mic at the Poetry Zone on Thursday, Aug 13, 4-6 pm at the former Staples, 401 State St., Santa Barbara.
- Lowstate Writing Salon, August 11Writing community w/ big focus on play & sparking something weird. We’re about word games & praise kinks. Tues., Aug. 11, 7pm, at Blue Owl.