The 15th Annual New York City Poetry Festival

This summer, join thousands of poets & poetry lovers at the 15th Annual New York City Poetry Festival as we cross the wine-dark sea of New York Harbor & invoke the muses on Governors Island—our poetic Ithaca.

On July 18–19, 2026 from 11 am - 6pm, NYC PoFest returns to Nolan Park for a two-day celebration of poetry, community, & creative homecoming! For one glorious weekend, Governors Island transforms into a vibrant poetry village—a place where poets & poetry lovers gather to read, listen, collaborate, daydream, & revel among picturesque Victorian houses & beneath the wide green canopies of century-old trees.

Join us! Cross the harbor & come home to poetry.

• Back-to-back 30-minute readings on our five stages: The Brinkley, The White Horse, The Algonquin, The Blackbird, & The Beckett, featuring a non-hierarchically curated schedule of groups alongside headlining poets (TBA)
• Back-to-back 30-minute readings at our Youth Festival, featuring youth poets & headlined by PSNY’s Youth Poetry Contest winners
• The Poetry Brothel Stage, featuring private readings from PSNY’s infamous literary cabaret
• The Ring of Daisies Open Mic, a safe, joyful, & gloriously unpretentious space where anyone can perform inside a giant, literal ring of daisies
• 100+ independent vendors in our Vendor Village, featuring poetic treasures ranging from books to vintage clothes to jewelry
• Interactive art installations, including the Unsent Letter Mailbox, poetry films, & typewriter poetry
• Smorgasburg-worthy food trucks
• Harbor views, open lawns, & sprawling picnic vibes
• A snazzy VIP area for PSNY members
• A vibrant community of poets & poetry lovers from across New York City & beyond

The New York City Poetry Festival unites the vibrant & wildly diverse poetry community of New York City & beyond, inviting poetry organizations & collectives of all kinds to bring their unique styles & voices. At the heart of the festival is a deeply held belief that poetry should be free & for all. We believe poetry belongs everywhere—in parks, ferries, gardens, & public squares—not just in bars, bookstores, & universities.

For one weekend each summer, the festival brings poets out into the daylight to gather, read, teach, listen, perform, experiment, collaborate, & celebrate the strange, beautiful art of language together.

By gathering the largest community of poets in the country, The New York City Poetry Festival is a weekend of literary magic that shines a bright public light on poetry!

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Harper Zacharias at [email protected].

Join The Poetry Society of New York (PSNY) & enjoy free access to our exclusive VIP tent at the festival, along with year-round invitations to PSNY events, workshops, & literary adventures. Explore our membership levels here!

NYC PoFest is for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned poet, a casual poetry fan, or simply looking for an inspiring weekend outdoors. It’s a place to discover new voices, share your own, & experience poetry in ways you never have before. With no barriers to entry (beyond a $2.75 ferry ride) & absolutely no rules about what poetry should sound like, this festival truly belongs to the people.

For more details, visit:
newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com
poetrysocietyny.org

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Nolan Park, Governors Island, New York, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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