The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) have announced the return of the Dodge Poetry Festival to downtown Newark. North America’s largest poetry festival is scheduled to take place from Thursday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17, 2026.
A Focus on Performance and Advocacy
The 2026 event will maintain a refined focus on poetry “as a performing art and as a tool for social justice advocacy.” This approach will be reflected in a lineup that pairs poets with musicians and other performing artists.
Beyond performances, the festival will offer writing sessions with participating poets and professional development opportunities specifically for working writers. A free outdoor celebration will also be available for families.
Literary Legends and Collaborations
The festival will feature several high-profile figures in the literary world. Confirmed participants include poet and punk rock icon Patti Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner Tyehimbe Jess, and best-selling poet and young-adult novelist Elizabeth Acevedo.
Also appearing is Arthur Sze, the 2025-2026 U.S. Poet Laureate. The event will host a reunion of accomplished poets from the original Def Poetry Jam, the spoken word HBO series created by Russell Simmons.
The festival is coordinating special readings with three major literary organizations: Cave Canem, which supports poets in the African diaspora; Kundiman, which cultivates Asian American creative writing; and CantoMundo, a national organization for Latinx poets.
Accessibility and Participation
According to David Rodriguez, NJPAC’s Executive Producer and Executive Vice President, the festival aims to cater to both “poetry aficionados” and newcomers. This is achieved through a mix of high-level accolades, such as Pulitzer Prize winners, and entry-level events like Young Artist Day and Family Fun Day.
A full roster of participating poets and events may be announced in June. Three-day passes are expected to go on sale in June 2026, while one-day passes could become available in August 2026.
For further updates, interested parties can visit njpac.org/series/dodgepoetry or grdodge.org/our-work/dodge-poetry/.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the 2026 Dodge Poetry Festival take place?
The festival will be held in downtown Newark from Thursday, October 15, through Sunday, October 17, 2026.
Who are some of the featured poets for the 2026 event?
Featured poets include Patti Smith, Arthur Sze (2025-2026 U.S. Poet Laureate), Elizabeth Acevedo, and Tyehimbe Jess, along with poets from the original Def Poetry Jam.
When do tickets go on sale for the festival?
Three-day passes are scheduled to go on sale in June 2026, and one-day passes are expected to be available in August 2026.
Which of the announced literary legends are you most interested in seeing perform live?
