Nothing illustrates the incredible power of words like the Dodge Poetry Festival — North America’s largest celebration of poems and poets.

Held every other year at NJPAC, this joyful three-day gathering of writers and readers from around the country offers spoken word performances, conversations with poets about their craft, book signings and writing workshops. The Festival will also feature food trucks and a pop-up bookshop (presented by Newark’s beloved Source of Knowledge).

And for high school students and their teachers, it’s all free!

High school groups are eligible to attend all daytime events during the Festival’s Young Artist Day — Friday, October 16, 2026 — at no cost. Teachers or administrators simply need to complete an online registration process. 

The 2026 Dodge Poetry Festival will present state and national Poets Laureate, Pulitzer Prize winners, slam champions and some of the most talented emerging poets working today, including:

U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze; Pulitzer Prize winner Tyehimba Jess; best-selling young-adult novelist and poet Elizabeth Acevedo (The Poet X); poet and youngest-ever Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam Champion, Aja Monet; Palestinian American poet and songwriter Naomi Shihab Nye; and many more.

Get students excited about reading, writing and sharing their stories at the 2026 Dodge Poetry Festival by registering to attend today!

THEME: Youth Artist Day
HOST: NJPAC
FEATURES: U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze; Pulitzer Prize winner Tyehimba Jess; best-selling young-adult novelist and poet Elizabeth Acevedo (The Poet X); poet and youngest-ever Nuyorican Poets Café Grand Slam Champion, Aja Monet; Palestinian American poet and songwriter Naomi Shihab Nye; and many more.
PRICE: FREE RSVP - https://www.njpac.org/education-program/young-artist-day-at-the-dodge-poetry-festival/
CONTACT: IG - @njpac / FB - NJPAC