An Expert’s Guide To NYC Poetry Festival 2026
In our 15th year, the NYC Poetry Festival: A Modern Odyssey is crossing the wine-dark sea (or, you know, the East River) for yet another epic homecoming to Governors Island.
Feeling overcome with excitement? Fear not! We have put together a special edition of How To Poet to make sure you get the best possible experience at The New York City Poetry Festival. Although the number of events to attend, readings to hear, and vendors to try may seem overwhelming, this guide is sure to help you be prepared!
THE BASICS:
When: July 18-19, 2026 | 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Nolan Park, Governor’s Island
Headliner Readings: Both days, 3-4pm, The Brinkley Stage
Cost: Free to attend! Just register via Eventbrite
Also, we are monitoring the weather and air quality situation and will be providing K95 masks onsite during the festival. Masks are also free at your local library. The air quality is likely to improve, but we encourage you all to take care of yourselves! The event will go on rain or shine.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The Governors Island Ferry leaves from 10 South Street in Manhattan every 15 minutes. The festival begins at 11:00 am, so if you are planning on getting there exactly when the festival begins, we suggest taking the 10:00 am, 10:15 am, or 10:30 am ferry.
Tickets for the ferry are around $5, but all ferries are free for visitors on Saturdays and Sundays before 11 am! It is recommended that all visitors, including those who are eligible for a free fare, reserve tickets in advance.
The NYC Ferry also leaves from Red Hook/Atlantic Basin and Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn at a less frequent cadence.
MAP:
Here’s the lay of the land!
Looking for a specific vendor? We also have a detailed Vendor Village Map available here.
TICKETING:
The New York City Poetry Festival is completely free for anyone to attend! Just remember to register in advance for a free ticket on Eventbrite. We encourage registration so anyone planning to attend can receive emails about the event if there are last minute changes.
You can also consider becoming a PSNY annual Member or upgrading to a VIP ticket to hang out in our VIP Tent, where members, headliners, and sponsors can drink and snack for free all day, both days.
Both ticket options are at the link below!
ITINERARY:
Poetry IS the best attraction at the festival and there are certainly a ton of talented poets to hear and choose from!
Our headliners perform at every stage on both days from 3-4 pm. This year the amazing headliners include Hanif Abdurraqib, Hala Alyan, Fatimah Asghar, and Natalie Diaz.
Headliner Schedule:
Saturday: Hala Alyan & Natalie Diaz
Sunday: Hanif Abdurraqib & Fatimah Asghar
Outside of this hour, our schedule includes different 30-minute to hour-long sessions that are sure to spark your match of inspiration. The reading schedule is the best place to learn about each organization and the featured readers for each slot.
BONUS FUN + ADVICE FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVAL ATTENDEES:
The Youth Poetry Festival has its very own stage schedule!
Refreshments will be available all weekend at our bar & beverage tent, Calypso’s Cove
Looking for the full VIP treatment? Join us in Club Ithaca, our VIP tent! All you need to do is either 1. Upgrade to a VIP ticket on Eventbrite, or 2. Become an annual PSNY Member! Perks include free drinks and snacks, complimentary typewriter poems, and shady seating in ear-and-eye-shot from the Brinkley, our main stage
We have over 75+ vendors stationed in the festival’s Vendor Village.
You can visit the Poetry Fortune Tent to engage in a communal exchange of poetic insight!
In addition, we have multiple art installations scattered across the festival grounds, as well as a poetry film festival, brought to you by the Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation & Filmshop.
There are six food vendors, including Everything About Crepes and Yankee Doodle Dandy’s.
The Poetry Brothel, an immersive literary cabaret show, will be performing both days from 1:30 - 2:30pm & 4:30 - 5pm. Join us in Siren’s Cove for poetry, music, fortune, myth, and intimate encounters.
You can share your own work at The Ring of Daisies Open Mic. Whether you're new to the poetry scene or just looking for a place to share your work, step into our enchanting ring of daisies and let your voice be heard. You can sign up onsite at the Ring of Daisies tent!
Also…
Bring a fan, picnic blanket, sunscreen, and a water bottle!
It is not a bad idea to bring cash. The festival does have WiFi, so cards/Apple Pay should work, but it is best to be prepared.
Don’t forget your notebook and pen! Inspiration is bound to strike during your time at the festival.
The festival is for everyone! Talk to someone new and remember that you are a poet, even if you don’t know it yet.
SEE YOU ALL THERE!!!
Zoë Brita (she/her) is an undergraduate student of English with a concentration in Creative Writing at Barnard College. Zoë enjoys exploring new bookstores with her friends and writing in all different genres.
