Perth Poetry Festival’s flagship Gala brings together poetry, performance, music and community for one extraordinary evening beneath the soaring roof of Perth Town Hall.

Under the 2026 theme Ear to the Ground, the Gala listens closely to the world around us: to place, culture, conflict, belonging, memory and the stories carried across generations and borders.

• Welcome to Country: Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest & Dylan Collard
• Opening performance: Miranda Aitken
• Keynote: Festival Patron Cyndy Moody
• National Guests: Emilie Collyer, Alex Creece, Oormila Prahlad & Ender Başkan
• Regional WA Poets: Reneé Pettitt-Schipp & Giles Watson
• Perth Poets: Jack Collard, Coral Carter, Luisa Mitchell, Patrick McCarthy & Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes and a featurette by the Shadow Walk Poet Troupe.

Hosted by Lakshmi Kanchi & Manveen Kohli, the evening includes light refreshments, book sales and signings.

Proudly sponsored by the City of Perth