The 14th Annual New York City Poetry Festival
- ALL AGES
POETOPIA AWAITS! Free-to-attend NYC Poetry Fest returns to Governors Island July 12–13 with 8 stages, iconic poets, 100+ vendors, & more!
Select date and time
Location
Nolan Park
Governors Island New York, NY 10004Refund Policy
Agenda
11:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Smittyville
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
VONA - Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Italian American Writers Association
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Poets House
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
CavanKerry Press
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Indolent Books
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Milk Press
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Nuyorican Poets Cafe
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Headliner Readings
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
SCRIBES
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
MFA AA (NYU MFA en Español Alumni Association)
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Alex Ann Agency
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Bronx Art & Fun Hub
About this event
POETOPIA AWAITS: The 14th Annual New York City Poetry Festival
- July 12–13, 2025
- 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
- Nolan Park, Governors Island
- FREE-TO-ATTEND
What’s Your Poetopia?
Every summer, The Poetry Society of New York (PSNY) transforms Governors Island into a sun-drenched poetry wonderland for the New York City Poetry Festival (NYC PoFest). For two unforgettable days, poets and poetry lovers of all kinds gather to shout poetry to the skyline, explore interactive art, snack on Smorgasburg-level treats, and immerse themselves in the magic of words.
This year’s theme, Poetopia: Reimagining Poetic Futures, invites festival-goers to co-create a world where poetry is a communal resource, hierarchy dissolves, and language is truly free. With eight stages, headliner readings, live performances, open mics, vendor villages, and immersive experiences, NYC PoFest is a place where poetry comes alive in every form imaginable.
Festival Highlights
- 100+ poetry collectives & organizations performing on five main stages: The Brinkley, The Blackbird, The White Horse, The Beckett, and The Algonquin
- New! Youth Poetry Festival Stage featuring poets under 18, including 2025’s National & State Youth Poet Laureates
- Headliner Readings (3–4 PM daily): Naomi Shihab Nye (19 Varieties of Gazelle, The Tiny Journalist), Eileen Myles (Chelsea Girls, a “Working Life”), Sam Sax (Bury It, Madness), Anne Waldman & Andrew Whiteman (celebrating their new sonic poetry collaboration, Your Devotee in Rags)
- The Ring of Daisies Open Mic – a safe, inclusive space where anyone can perform inside a giant, literal ring of daisies! (Sat & Sun, 12:00–2:30 PM & 4:30–5:30 PM)
- Poetopia Vendor Village – 100+ independent artisans, booksellers, zine makers, jewelry designers, & more
- Immersive poetry-meets-art installations exploring poetry’s intersection with technology, sustainability, music, and movement
- The Poetry Brothel – an unforgettable literary cabaret blending 1920s glamour with modern poetic rebellion
- A space of transformation – NYC PoFest is more than a festival; it’s a place to imagine a more inclusive, equitable, and poetry-filled world!
Why Attend?
NYC PoFest is for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned poet, a casual poetry fan, or just looking for an inspiring weekend outdoors. It’s a place to discover new voices, share your own, and experience poetry in ways you never have before. With no tickets, no barriers to entry (beyond a $2.75 ferry ride), and no rules on how poetry should sound or look, this festival truly belongs to the people.
Mark your calendars. Bring a poem in your pocket. Poetopia awaits!
RSVP now and step into Poetopia!
For more details, visit newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com or poetrysocietyny.org.
Frequently asked questions
Poetry belongs to everyone, and so does NYC PoFest! The festival is wheelchair accessible, with ramps, seating, restrooms & service animal areas. We offer ASL interpreters for headliners, sensory-friendly spaces & accessible ferry service. Need accommodations? Email tova@poetrysocietyny.org!
Yes! Please visit https://poetrysocietyny.org/join-pofests-vendor-village to join NYC PoFest's Vendor Village!
Yes, of course! You can Check-In any time between 11 am and 6 pm both days.
Yes! Sign up for The Ring of Daisies Open Mic (Sat & Sun, 12:00–2:30 PM & 4:30–5:30 PM) on a first-come, first-served basis.
Absolutely! NYC PoFest is for everyone—poets, poetry lovers, and even people new to poetry. With music, art, food, and a vibrant festival atmosphere, there’s something for all.
Yes! The festival features top-tier food vendors serving up delicious bites and drinks.
Definitely! Explore 100+ independent vendors at the Poetopia Vendor Village—including books, zines, jewelry, art, and more.
Yes! Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.
NYC PoFest is made possible by donations and community support! Visit poetrysocietyny.org to contribute.
NYC PoFest takes place at Nolan Park, Governors Island, NYC. Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn!
Yes! NYC Poetry Festival is completely free-to-attend—no tickets required. The only cost is the $2.75 ferry fare to get to Governors Island.
Check govisland.com for ferry schedules and ticket info! Ferries run from: The Battery Maritime Building (Lower Manhattan) Red Hook/Atlantic Basin (Brooklyn, Sat-Sun only) Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park (Sat-Sun only)
Yes, of course! Please fill out the form here (https://forms.gle/7zrvENMB9mAbAYjM9) and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!
NYC PoFest runs Saturday & Sunday, July 12–13, from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM each day.
Yes! $50 VIP Admission covers both days of NYC PoFest. If you buy drink tickets as well, you can use them either day!
Of course! Please reach out to tova@poetrysocietyny.org for more information.