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
- An Evening with Martín Espada, UCSB Campbell Hall, April 29An evening with National Book Award-winning poet Martín Espada, presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures, Wed., April 29, 7:30 pm
- Community Poetry Readings with UCSB Reads & Goleta Valley Library, April 22, UCSB LibraryKicking off with a reading by current Santa Barbara Poet Laureate George Yatchisin and UCSB Professor Emerita Shirley Geok-Lin Lim this event is part of UCSB Reads 2026. Other participants will also read their selected poems, often by other writers.
- Poetry in the Parks at the Presidio Chapel, April 17An evening of music and poetry in Santa Barbara’s only State Park, the Presidio; 5:30 p.m.
- 12th Annual “Spirits in the Air: Potent Potable Poetry,” April 15, The Good LionTen invited poets will read their work, and the work of others, about libations of all sorts. Wed., April 15, The Good Lion.
- Santa Barbara Poetry Series Reading with David Oliveira & Laure-Anne Bosselaar, SBPL, March 27A reading by David Oliveira, SB’s millennium Poet Laureate (1999-2000), and Laure-Anne Bosselaar, SB’s eighth Poet Laureate (2019-2021), March 27, 5:30 pm.
- The Poetry Club, Goleta Valley Library, March 15Read a favorite poem or simply enjoy the voices of others, March 15, 2 pm, Goleta Community Center.
- Poetry, Typewriters and Collage, March 12, Explore EcologyGuest Artist Simon Kiefer will guide you with poetry prompts and creative techniques to help you craft your poems, Thursday, March 12, 6-8 pm.
- New Book Release Reading, Paul Willis at Chaucer’s, March 12Chaucer’s Books hosts poet Paul J. Willis for a reading of his recent chapbook, “Orvieto.” Thurs., March 12, 6 pm.
- Blue Whale Reading, March 11Blue Whale Reading Series, featuring poets Sean Colletti and George Yatchisin. Wednesday, March 11, 5:30 pm, Unity of SB Chapel, 227 E. Arrellaga.
- Lowstate Writing Salon, Tuesday, March 10Writing community w/ big focus on play & sparking something weird. We’re about word games & praise kinks. Tues., March 10, 7pm, at Blue Owl