The Golden Haiku Poetry Competition 2026 is now open, and it is one of the most joyful and welcoming poetry contests you can enter. Every year, this international contest brings poets from all around the world together to celebrate short, powerful poems inspired by nature. If you love writing haiku or you want to try something new and simple, this is a great opportunity.
For 2026, the theme is “The Joy of Nature.” Poets are invited to submit up to two original haiku for a chance to win cash prizes and have their poems displayed on colorful signs around Washington, DC. The deadline to enter is January 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
This contest is perfect for beginners, students, experienced poets, and anyone who enjoys expressing feelings in a few beautiful lines.
What Is the Golden Haiku Competition?
The contest is organized by the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) in Washington, DC. For more than ten years, they have used poetry to brighten the winter season by displaying haiku on signs in tree box gardens throughout the neighborhood. These poems appear on busy streets, sidewalks, and public spaces, bringing color and warmth during the cold months.
The goal of Golden Haiku is simple:
to inspire people and help them notice the small beauties around them.
Haiku comes from Japan and is known as the shortest form of poetry. A haiku usually captures a moment, an image, or an emotion. It often highlights nature, seasons, or simple everyday experiences. Although traditional haiku follow the 5–7–5 syllable pattern, this contest uses modern haiku rules, which means you don’t need to follow that strict structure. You can focus instead on clear images, emotions, and beautiful language.
The contest is open to all ages and to people from any country. In 2025, more than 4,750 haiku were submitted from 66 countries, which shows how much people love this event.
What You Can Submit
Each person may submit:
- One submission form
- Up to two original haiku
- Haiku that may or may not follow the 5-7-5 pattern
- Haiku that can be previously published or under consideration elsewhere
What matters most is that the poem is your own work and it connects to the theme “The Joy of Nature.”
What You Can Win
The Golden Haiku contest offers several prizes for different age groups.
Adult Category
- First Place: $500
- Second Place: $200
- Third Place: $100
- Regional/DC Favorite: $200
Youth Category
- High School: $150
- Elementary/Middle School: $75
- Regional/DC High School: $150
- Regional/DC Elementary/Middle School: $75
In addition to the cash prizes, many selected haiku—both winners and non-winners—are displayed around Washington, DC from March through May, turning the city into an outdoor poetry gallery.
Imagine seeing your poem in a public space where people from all over the world can read and enjoy it. That alone makes entering worthwhile.
Submission Deadline
The submission period is open until:
January 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Winners will be notified by email and the results will be announced publicly in mid-March, just as spring begins to arrive.
Who Judges the Contest?
A team of respected and experienced haiku writers review all submissions. Judges include:
- Abigail Friedman — Author of The Haiku Apprentice and other well-known works.
- Lenard Moore — A major figure in American haiku, with 40+ years of experience and many published books.
- Kit Pancoast Nagamura — Internationally recognized poet, columnist, and haibun writer who has won major Japanese haiku awards.
These judges understand haiku deeply and look for poems that are fresh, sincere, and emotionally true.
Free Haiku Workshop
If you want help or want to learn more about haiku, a free writing workshop will be held on:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
1120 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC
The session will be led by judge Abigail Friedman, who will teach the basics of haiku, guide writers through exercises, and offer feedback. It’s a friendly way to grow your skills.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Haiku Poetry Competition 2026 is a beautiful chance to slow down, observe your world, and express a moment of joy through poetry. Whether you are new to haiku or already love writing short poems, this contest welcomes you. With international recognition, generous prizes, and the possibility of seeing your poem displayed across Washington, DC, this is a contest worth entering.
If you enjoy writing, or if you want to try something new and simple, now is a great time to begin.
Visit the official website to read the full guidelines and submit your haiku before January 11, 2026. Don’t miss this chance to share your words with the world.
