Smithdown Litfest reveals Roger McGough as first guest of new-look annual festival

Smithdown Litfest is marking its 10^th anniversary in 2026 with a new format – and a welcome for one of Liverpool’s literary greats.

The annual festival of the written word, which usually runs for a week each September, is now set to become a year-round literary festival which organisers say will enable it to offer even more fascinating events with top authors and rising star writers.

The first event in the new format takes place at Ullet Road Unitarian Church on January 24 when Smithdown Litfest hosts ‘patron saint of poetry’ Roger McGough on a rare return visit home.

McGough was one of the Liverpool poets, alongside the late Adrian Henri and Brian Patten, who influenced popular culture in the Sixties with their landmark anthology The Mersey Sound, published in 1967, selling more than a million copies to date.

He also formed The Scaffold with John Gorman and Mike McGear (McCartney) performing a combination of comic songs, poetry and sketches including Thank U Very Much, Liverpool Lou and the 1968 Christmas number one Lily the Pink.

McGough has published more than 100 poetry books for adults and children, gigs consistently, and is the host of Radio 4’s programme Poetry Please. His poetry remains timely and full of laughs, and he is writing new material all the time.

All profits from ticket sales go to good causes, and for 2026 the Litfest is supporting Smithdown in Bloom.

Smithdown Litfest founder Ian Skillcorn said today: "Our tenth anniversary seemed the perfect time to ask, 'Why stop at once a year?'

"With the Smithdown Litfest now a year-round festival we can invite authors at any time, to coincide with book tours and launches. We know how much audiences enjoy the authors' visits, and this makes Smithdown 'the home of great stories all year round'.

"We couldn't think of a better event to kick off our new format than to welcome home to Liverpool the legendary Roger McGough."

Smithdown Litfest presents Roger McGough at Ullet Road Unitarian Church on Saturday, January 24 2026. Tickets HERE