The Festival

The Massachusetts Poetry Festival returns to Salem May 5-7, 2023. The amazing Massachusetts community, and beyond, has helped us make the Festival one of the premier poetry events in the nation. Please help us in our work by making a donation, or scroll down for more information on submitting an event proposal or applying to join our Programming Committee. Festival Registration will open in Spring, 2023.

The 2021 Festival was the first since our 10-year anniversary celebration in 2018. The Festival showcased an all-star roster of poets from across the Commonwealth and the country, including more than 80 events featuring well over 100 poets.

Headline poets included Victoria Chang, Jos Charles, Martín Espada, Tyehimba Jess, Patricia Spears Jones, Lang Leav, Khadijah Queen, Naomi Shihab Nye, Ariana Reines, Dara Wier, and more. You can learn more about these poets by going to our headliners page.

In addition to headline readings, panels, workshops and performances, 2021’s Festival included some past favorites, such as the State of Poetry Panel, Small Press Fair, Workshops, Poetry and Yoga, along with new events such as an audio walking tour, a Poetry and Pets event, the 2020 Redo Celebration Ceremony, and an online ekphrastic poetry gallery.

The Student Day of Poetry also returned in 2021, with over 600 students scheduled to participate in writing-generative workshops with the region’s top poets and educators. Read more about the Student Day of Poetry and Festival events for teachers.

Want to get involved? Have questions? Email [email protected].