Pen + Brush Reads at the New York City Poetry Festival!

Where: The Blackbird:

When: Saturday, July 18th

Duration: 2:00- 2:30 Readers: Afua Kafi-Akua, Jesse Paris Smith, Kerri Schlottman

The New York City Poetry Festival Presents: A Modern Odyssey

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.

What to Expect

• 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

About NYC PoFest

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 harper@poetrysocietyny.org.

Become a PSNY Member!

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!

Why Attend?

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.

Learn More

For more details, visit:

newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com

poetrysocietyny.org

Terms & Conditions

Tickets & Entry

All ticket sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, except in the event of a cancellation by the organizer.

Tickets may be transferred to another guest prior to the event, but each ticket grants admission to one person only.

Admission is subject to venue capacity and compliance with all event policies.

Age Requirement

If this event is listed as 18+ or 21+, as specified on the event page, a valid government-issued photo ID may be required for entry.

No exceptions will be made for underage guests.

Event Format & Content

PSNY events are often immersive experiences and may include adult themes, intimate conversation, and explicit language. By attending, you acknowledge and consent to participation in an immersive environment. No physical contact is required, and guests are always free to opt out of any interaction.

Photography, Video & Recording

Photography, audio recording, and video recording are strictly prohibited, unless explicitly permitted by the organizers.

By attending, you consent to being photographed or filmed by the event organizers for promotional or archival purposes, unless otherwise stated.

Code of Conduct

Guests are expected to behave respectfully toward performers, staff, and fellow attendees.

Harassment, inappropriate behavior, or failure to follow staff instructions may result in immediate removal without refund.

Performers’ boundaries must be respected at all times. PSNY full code of conduct can be found here: https://poetrysocietyny.org/code-of-conduct

Accessibility & Special Needs

Please contact the organizers in advance with any accessibility needs or questions so we can do our best to accommodate you.

Health & Safety

Attendees agree to comply with all venue rules, local regulations, and health and safety guidelines in effect at the time of the event.

The organizers reserve the right to refuse entry or remove any guest whose presence poses a safety risk.

Event Changes or Cancellation

The Poetry Society of New York reserves the right to modify the event format, performers, schedule, or venue as necessary.

In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified and refunds will be issued according to Eventbrite policies.

Assumption of Risk

Attendance is voluntary, and guests assume all risks incidental to participation in a live, immersive event. By attending this event, you agree to hold harmless and indemnify The Poetry Society of New York, Inc. and its affiliates from any claims or liabilities arising from your participation in the event, including but not limited to violations of event policies or harm caused to others.

Mailing List

By registering for this event, you are opting into The Poetry Society of New York’s mailing list and those of its affiliates. You may unsubscribe at any time.