2026 Downtown Tucson Haiku Hike Literary Competition Now Open
2026 Downtown Tucson Haiku Hike Literary Competition Now Open
This year’s theme is Connection
DOWNTOWN TUCSON, AZ, January 12, 2026 – Calling all creatives, writers, and aspiring poets from the Old Pueblo and beyond! The Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) together with the University of Arizona Poetry Center are proud to announce the 7th annual Haiku Hike literary competition.
This year’s theme is Connection. Poets are encouraged to submit haiku reflecting on this theme.
“This year’s theme of Connection asks us to think about the things we are connected to—to each other, to our families and friends, to our city, and to the beautiful, powerful Sonoran Desert where we make our lives. What binds and bonds us, and makes possible collective experience? We’re so excited to hear from participants about the things that hold us together,” said Tyler Meier, Executive Director of the University of Arizona Poetry Center.
Haiku entries will be judged by poet Paola Valenzuela, the Event and Development Coordinator at the University of Arizona Poetry Center. Twenty winning haiku poems will be printed on acrylic signage and displayed in planters located on Congress Street and Stone Avenue in Downtown Tucson. All winners will receive public recognition and have their work featured on public signage downtown, online and in the media. These signs will provide visual and cultural interest during the season, beginning on the first day of spring, Friday, March 20.
“As we welcome another year of the Haiku Hike, these poems invite us to slow down and notice the connections between people, place, and the everyday moments we share. By engaging with poetry in our downtown spaces, we deepen our connection to the community and to Tucson itself,” said Crystal Moore, President & CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership.
A haiku is a short form of poetry that originated in Japan; English adaptations of the form often follow a seventeen syllable structure in three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. Haiku depicts a concise sentiment with rich imagery revolving around seasonal topics. Learn more about haiku here.
Interested poets may enter at downtowntucson.org/haikuhike and submissions will be accepted until the end of the day on February 2. Winners will be announced on DTP’s website, social media and via email to the selected winners.
While the Haiku Hike is self-guided and on display throughout the spring, on Saturday, March 21, join Paola Valenzuela, Tyler Meier, the University of Arizona Poetry Center, and the Downtown Tucson Partnership for a community stroll along the Haiku Hike. Details about the meeting location will be announced soon. Be sure to check DTP’s website at downtowntucson.org or follow @DowntownTucson on social media for updates. All winners will be invited to attend.
Last year’s theme was Belonging. 1,954 haiku were submitted from 31 countries, 34 states and 1,187 coming from Tucson.
The University of Arizona Poetry Center is part of the University of Arizona's College of Humanities.
The Downtown Tucson Partnership, or DTP, is focused on providing core services including clean and safe initiatives, beautification, economic development initiatives, marketing, placemaking, and advocacy for projects and resources that support a vibrant and sustainable downtown.
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More information about the Downtown Tucson Partnership can be found online at downtowntucson.org.
Media Contact: Jen Mead, Marketing and Communications Manager
520.268.9034, jen@downtowntucson.org