Poetry lovers, aspiring writers, students, and families will once again gather in downtown Newark this fall as the Dodge Poetry Festival returns October 15–17, 2026. Produced by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and supported by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the event remains the largest poetry festival in North America and one of the nation’s most influential celebrations of the written and spoken word.
Since its founding more than four decades ago, the biennial festival has welcomed over 150,000 attendees and featured some of the world’s most acclaimed poets and literary voices. Headquartered at NJPAC since 2010, the festival was reimagined in 2024 to emphasize poetry as both a performing art and a powerful vehicle for social change.
The 2026 edition promises a dynamic lineup of readings, performances, workshops, and community events. Among the featured guests are legendary musician and poet Patti Smith, whose special presentation, “Patti Smith: Songs and Stories,” will blend music, storytelling, and poetry. Other headliners include Arthur Sze, acclaimed poet and novelist Elizabeth Acevedo, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tyehimba Jess.
One of the festival’s most anticipated events is the Def Poetry Reunion, bringing together celebrated performers from the groundbreaking HBO series Def Poetry Jam. Attendees will also enjoy readings featuring poets affiliated with organizations including Cave Canem, Kundiman, and CantoMundo.
Beyond headline performances, the festival offers opportunities for participation and learning. Young Artists Day welcomes thousands of high school students for performances and workshops tailored to teen audiences. Fine-Tune Your Craft, developed in partnership with the Academy of American Poets, provides professional development and writing workshops for emerging and established writers.
Community engagement remains central to the festival experience. Visitors can attend open mic events hosted by Newark’s EvoluCulture collective, connect with fellow writers during the popular Poetry Like Bread breakfast gathering, and enjoy the FREE Family Fun Day, which transforms NJPAC’s Chambers Plaza into a vibrant hub of poetry, music, drumming, dance, and interactive activities.
Adding to the literary atmosphere, Newark’s beloved Source of Knowledge bookstore will host a pop-up shop at NJPAC throughout the festival.
With performances, education, and community at its core, the Dodge Poetry Festival continues to demonstrate the enduring power of poetry to inspire, connect, and transform.