What's On
Play on Words: for readers, writers and lovers of words
See what's on next! Click through for the full list of events and activities in date order.
Find a multitude of ways to use and experience words, whether using the outdoors for inspiration, reimagining your relationship with poetry, or exploring stories through making art.
Support, advice and networking for writers at all levels themed around community, with opportunities to share your work with others.
Enjoy live poetry, storytelling, readings, a pub quiz and talks from writers from across the New Forest and beyond, featuring Liz Amos, Stephen Boyce, Elvis McGonagall, Yarrow Townsend and more.
Storytelling, illustration and playful exploration of words for children and families
Discover poems as friends, words in a train station, a new author in the Imaginarium bookshop or support others to love words with Read Easy.
Join us for Play on Words 2026: a condensed edition over a long weekend, with a lively programme of literature events and workshops across the New Forest. This year's festival celebrates local voices and the power of community, with opportunities to share your work, support the festival and help to plan the future.
Download a digital pdf of the full programme here (physical copies are available at Forest Arts Centre, New Milton and St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery, Lymington) or browse through the listings below.