Spring Poetry Contest

Submission Dates: Jan 5-Feb 15

Calling All Poets!

Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s time for Red Butte Garden’s 12th Annual Spring Poetry Contest. Poets of all ages are invited to submit original works inspired by spring and the Garden from January 5 to February 16.

Eleven winning poems will be displayed throughout the Garden in April as part of our celebration of National Poetry Month. Winners will also receive a special prize package designed for aspiring authors and poets of all ages.

Take a Garden Poetry Walk this April and May to find our poetry boxes throughout the Garden and the 2026 winning poems.

Poetry Submission Guidelines

Categories: Adult (ages 18+), Teen (ages 13-17), and Youth (ages 5-12)
Open to Utah residents only
No more than 24 lines
Must be the original work of the author
Must be themed around springtime or relevant to Red Butte Garden
Must be appropriate for all ages
Must be submitted by the published deadline
One entry per person
By submitting a poem, the author grants Red Butte Garden a license to publish and reproduce the poem online and in other media.

Poems will be judged according to the following criteria:

Inspired by nature
Relevant to the spring season or Red Butte Garden
24 lines or shorter
Appropriate for all ages
All entries judged blind with authors' names removed from each entry before judging.