The word is returning to the Brick City. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) have officially announced that Dodge Poetry, the largest poetry festival in North America, will return to Newark from October 15 to 17, 2026.
Since 2010, the festival has called NJPAC home, but the 2024 reimagining shifted the focus toward poetry as a performing art and a potent tool for social justice advocacy. This year’s finale of the year round programming initiative promises to be a celebration of rhythm, voice, and collective action. Over its 40 year history, the biennial festival has welcomed more than 150,000 people to Newark to experience the power of the spoken word.
Headliners and Cultural Anchors
The 2026 lineup is already shaping up to be legendary. Highlights include:
- Patti Smith: Songs and Stories: A performance by the revered punk poet laureate.
- Def Poetry Reunion: A powerful lineup of poets from Russell Simmons’ groundbreaking HBO series.
- Cultural Spotlights: Special readings from Cave Canem (African diaspora), Kundiman (Asian American), and CantoMundo (Latinx).
The roster features heavy hitters like U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, Pulitzer Prize winner Tyehimba Jess, and best selling novelist Elizabeth Acevedo. Local flavor remains central, with a celebration and open mic hosted by Newark’s own EvoluCulture poetry collective.
Poetry for Every Generation
Dodge Poetry is designed to be accessible to everyone, from the seasoned aficionado to the curious newcomer.
- Young Artists Day: Thousands of high school students from across the country will descend on Newark for performances geared specifically toward teen audiences.
- Family Fun Day: A free celebration at Chambers Plaza featuring drumming, dancing, and poetry infused play spaces.
- Poetry Like Bread: An intimate breakfast gathering where readers share a meal and conversation with nationally recognized poets.
As Ysabel Y. Gonzalez, Producer of Poetry and Social Impact, noted, the festival is also a place for discovery. A selection committee has reviewed nearly 200 emerging artists to ensure the full roster—to be announced in June—reflects the diverse and vibrant future of the craft.
Ticketing Information
Three day passes go on sale in June 2026, followed by one day passes in August 2026. For the latest updates, visit njpac.org/series/dodgepoetry.
