USA Poetry Events

A Poetry Kit guide to poetry readings, spoken-word nights, open mics and poetry slams across the United States. Listings are arranged alphabetically by state and then by city.

Rebuilt October 2026: 101 current or currently evidenced event series and poetry resources across 50 states/districts.

Please check before travelling. Independent poetry events can change venue, frequency or admission arrangements at short notice. Follow the event link for the latest information. “Check current dates” means the organisation is active but does not guarantee the same date every month.
Jump to a state:
Alabama Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Alabama

City / areaWhenEvent details
Birmingham Fourth Saturday Birmingham Poetry & Coffee
Seeds Coffee Co.; poetry open mic. Check organiser/venue before travelling.

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Alaska

City / areaWhenEvent details
Anchorage Check current dates 49 Writers Events
Alaska literary organisation with readings, workshops and community events; use the calendar for current public readings.

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Arizona

City / areaWhenEvent details
Flagstaff Bi-weekly / check dates FlagSlam
Long-running Flagstaff poetry slam with open mic, slam and featured performers.
Flagstaff Every Tuesday Poet Brews
Flagstaff Brewing Company; free open mic for writers, including poetry, fiction and nonfiction.
Mesa First & third Sunday Open Mic Poetry at Jarrod's
Jarrod's Coffee, Tea & Gallery; poetry, spoken word, flash fiction and short creative work.
Phoenix Third Sunday Esso Poetry Open Mic
Esso Coffeehouse; recurring community poetry and spoken-word open mic.
Tucson Recurring — check dates Write N Tell Poetry Open Mic
Hotel Congress; community poetry, storytelling and performance night.

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California

City / areaWhenEvent details
Los Angeles Weekly / check current schedule Da Poetry Lounge
One of Los Angeles' best-known spoken-word and poetry open-mic communities.
Los Angeles Second Tuesday LAPL Poetry Open Mic
Westwood Branch online poetry open mic; original poems or favourite poems welcome.
Sacramento Regular — check calendar Sacramento Poetry Center
Readings, workshops and community poetry events in Sacramento; check current calendar for open readings.
San Diego Check current dates San Diego Poetry Annual / community events
Poetry readings and community events around San Diego; useful current hub for local poets.
San Francisco Check current dates The Beat Museum Poetry Events
Poetry readings and literary events in North Beach; check current programme.

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Colorado

City / areaWhenEvent details
Boulder Fourth Friday Open Poetry Reading & Acoustic Open Mic
Unity of Boulder; monthly poetry reading plus acoustic open mic, all experience levels welcome.
Colorado Springs Recurring — check dates Coyoetry
Concrete Coyote; poetry open mic, slam and featured poet.
Statewide Continuously updated Open Mic Colorado
Community-built directory including poetry nights, open mics and other open stages across Colorado.

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Connecticut

City / areaWhenEvent details
New Haven Check current programme Institute Library Poetry Events
Independent library literary programme; check calendar for readings and poetry events.

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Delaware

City / areaWhenEvent details
Newark Fourth Saturday Poetry, Prose & Performance Open Mic
Newark Arts Alliance; monthly open mic, 5–7pm, sign-up at the door.
Wilmington Selected Wednesdays Open Mic Nights with Anthem
The Grand; poetry, lyrics and short stories welcomed. Free; check season dates.

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District of Columbia

City / areaWhenEvent details
Washington Every Tuesday Busboys and Poets — 14th & V
Weekly poetry/spoken-word open mic, 8–10pm; check current event list.
Washington Every Wednesday Busboys and Poets — 450K
Weekly open mic with professional spoken-word performers and open-mic readers.
Washington Selected Fridays/Saturdays Busboys and Poets — Anacostia
Recurring open-mic programme; check calendar for current dates.
Washington Fridays Busboys and Poets — Brookland
Regular Friday open mic; check current weekly host and time.

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Florida

City / areaWhenEvent details
Coral Gables / Miami Third Monday Palms & Poetry
Miami Poetry Club with Books & Books; monthly open mic, 8–10pm.
Miami Regular monthly programme Miami Poetry Club
Writing prompts, workshops and poetry open mic activity; see current programme.

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Georgia

City / areaWhenEvent details
Athens Recurring — check dates ATHICA Poetry Open Mic
DIY arts space poetry open mic; first-come sign-up, welcoming new and established voices.
Atlanta Tour dates — check schedule Voices In Power Poetry Open Mic Experience
Large poetry open-mic experience with featured poets and raffle-style open-mic places.

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Hawaii

City / areaWhenEvent details
Honolulu Check current dates Hawai'i Writers Guild Events
Public literary events and readings; use current events listing for poetry opportunities.

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Idaho

City / areaWhenEvent details
Boise Recurring — check dates H.O.T Poet Open Mic
She Is Poetry community open mic and book-club event; check current Boise dates.

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Illinois

City / areaWhenEvent details
Chicago Sundays / check Green Mill schedule Uptown Poetry Slam
Historic Chicago poetry slam at the Green Mill; check current Sunday programme.
Online / Springfield Third Wednesday Poetry in Cyberspace
Springfield Poets & Writers virtual poetry open mic.
Springfield First Wednesday Springfield Poetry Open Mic
Historic Edwards Place, 6–8pm; read your own work or a favourite writer.

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Indiana

City / areaWhenEvent details
Indianapolis Various Indianapolis Poetry Open Mics
Current local guide to several established and newer poetry open mics around Indianapolis.
Indianapolis First Thursday Kafe' Kuumba
Kheprw Institute; long-running Indianapolis poetry open mic, free.

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Iowa

City / areaWhenEvent details
Iowa City Regular Iowa City Poetry Events
Open mics, generative sessions and community readings; check current calendar.

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Kansas

City / areaWhenEvent details
Lawrence Check current dates The Raven / Lawrence literary events
Independent-bookshop literary events; check current calendar for poetry readings.

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Kentucky

City / areaWhenEvent details
Louisville Check current dates Louisville Literary Arts events
Readings and literary community events; check programme for poetry opportunities.

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Louisiana

City / areaWhenEvent details
New Orleans Check current dates Maple Leaf Bar Poetry Series
New Orleans venue with a long association with poetry and spoken word; confirm current programme.

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Maine

City / areaWhenEvent details
Portland Check current dates Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance Events
Statewide literary calendar including readings and poetry events.

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Maryland

City / areaWhenEvent details
Baltimore Second Tuesday Afterlight Poetry Open Mic
Monthly poetry open mic; check current Baltimore listings/organiser before travelling.
Hyattsville Every Thursday Busboys and Poets Open Mic
Weekly poetry/spoken-word open mic at Busboys and Poets Hyattsville.
Monkton First Monday Manor Mill Poetry Open Mic
Monthly poetry open mic at Manor Mill, 6:30pm; current listing confirmed by Baltimore County Public Library.

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Massachusetts

City / areaWhenEvent details
Cambridge Every Sunday Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam
Open mic followed by poetry slam and featured poet; 21+.
Cambridge / Boston Regular Boston Poetry Slam
Boston-area slam and open-mic community; check current venue/event schedule.
Worcester Every Monday Dirty Gerund Poetry Show
Ralph's; open mic list from 8pm, show later; 21+.

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Michigan

City / areaWhenEvent details
Detroit Check current dates InsideOut Literary Arts Events
Detroit literary arts organisation with poetry programmes and public events.

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Minnesota

City / areaWhenEvent details
Minneapolis Fourth Monday Poetry Open Mic Mondays
American School of Storytelling; monthly poetry and spoken-word open mic.

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Mississippi

City / areaWhenEvent details
Southaven Third Saturday The Poetry Club
Coffee Central; original poetry or short prose, with listeners welcome.

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Missouri

City / areaWhenEvent details
Kansas City 2nd, 4th & 5th Wednesday Poetic Underground KC
Inside Out KC; free poetry open mic, sign-up in person.
Kansas City Third Thursday Turnsol Books Poetry Open Mic
Monthly poetry open mic at Turnsol Books Writers' Studio.
St. Louis Last Wednesday Heavy Anchor Poetry Open Mic
Monthly poetry open mic; sign-up 7pm, mic 8pm.

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Montana

City / areaWhenEvent details
Missoula Annual + related events Montana Book Festival / local poetry programme
Use festival and local literary calendars for current poetry readings and open events.

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Nebraska

City / areaWhenEvent details
Lincoln First & third Thursday Hub Cafe Open Mic
Mixed open mic explicitly welcoming poets alongside musicians and comedians.
Lincoln Second Thursday Lincoln Poetry Slam
Larksong Writers Place; recurring poetry slam, associated with Nebraska Writers Collective.
Omaha Second Saturday Omaha Poetry Slam
Monthly open mic and competitive slam; sign up at event.

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Nevada

City / areaWhenEvent details
Las Vegas Recurring — check dates The Corner: CommUNITY
West Las Vegas Arts Center; community open mic welcoming poetry, music and other creative work.

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New Hampshire

City / areaWhenEvent details
Manchester Regular — check dates Slam Free or Die
Open mic and competitive slam; current events listed by Poetry Society of New Hampshire.
Portsmouth Third Thursday Beat Night
Regular poetry/literary night at Press Room, listed by Poetry Society of New Hampshire.
Portsmouth First Wednesday, Sep–Jun The Hoot Poetry Reading
Regular poetry reading at Laney & Lu.

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New Jersey

City / areaWhenEvent details
Jersey City Annual Jersey City Poetry Festival
Festival includes a community open mic and showcases of regional poetry groups.
Statewide Continuously updated NJ Poetry Events
Useful current calendar of poetry readings, open mics and slams across New Jersey.

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New Mexico

City / areaWhenEvent details
Albuquerque Check current dates New Mexico Poetry Society Events
Statewide poetry organisation; check calendar for readings, workshops and open events.
Santa Fe First Monday Santa Fe Poetry Trails Open Mic
Teatro Paraguas; three-minute reading slots, all welcome.

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New York

City / areaWhenEvent details
Buffalo Third Thursday OPEN MIC en el BARRIO
El Museo; bilingual/multilingual-friendly monthly poetry and open-mic series.
New York City Every Monday Nuyorican Bowery Slam
Weekly in-person poetry slam at Bowery Poetry Club during Nuyorican reconstruction.
New York City Monday & Thursday Nuyorican Online Open Mics
International online open mics continuing during reconstruction.
New York City Wednesdays except first Nuyorican Open Mic at Loisaida Center
Off-site Nuyorican open mic during building renovation; all art forms welcome.
New York City First Wednesday Womxn Orator Wednesday
Nuyorican open mic by and for womxn and womxn-representing people; Loisaida Center.

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North Carolina

City / areaWhenEvent details
Asheville Third Thursday / check continuation Midnight Draft Poetry Open Mic
West Asheville poetry open mic with featured local poet; confirm current dates.
Asheville First Sunday / check dates Story Parlor All-Arts Open Mic
Mixed open mic welcoming poetry and literature as well as other art forms.

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North Dakota

City / areaWhenEvent details
Fargo Check current dates The Arts Partnership / literary events
Regional arts calendar; check for current poetry and spoken-word events.

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Ohio

City / areaWhenEvent details
Cleveland Monthly One Mic Open
Literary Cleveland; free long-running open mic for poems, stories and essays.
Cleveland Third Thursday Visible Voice Books Poetry Open Mic
Open poetry night hosted at Visible Voice Books.
Columbus Every Wednesday Poetry Cauldron
Kafe Kerouac; weekly poetry open mic, 8pm.
Columbus Third Wednesday Say Word Wednesdays
Monthly poetry night with features and open-mic performers.

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Oklahoma

City / areaWhenEvent details
Oklahoma City Check current dates Red Dirt Poetry
Oklahoma spoken-word and poetry community; check current event schedule.

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Oregon

City / areaWhenEvent details
Portland Last Wednesday Head for the Hills Poetry Series & Open Mic
Hillsdale Library; featured readers plus one-page poetry open mic.
Portland Third Thursday Slamlandia
Literary Arts; monthly poetry open mic and slam, free.

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Pennsylvania

City / areaWhenEvent details
Philadelphia Second & fourth Friday Say It Wit' Ya Chest
Poetry open mic at Malelani Café in Mt. Airy; confirm current date before travelling.
Philadelphia Third Sunday Wild Indigo Poetry Reading Series
Monthly features and, on many dates, an open mic; check programme.
Pittsburgh Most Tuesdays Pittsburgh Poetry Collective Open Mic
Poetry Lounge; open mic almost every Tuesday plus regular slams.

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Rhode Island

City / areaWhenEvent details
Providence Check current dates AS220 Open Mic / literary programme
Providence arts venue with open-stage and literary programming; check current calendar.

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South Carolina

City / areaWhenEvent details
Charleston Annual + year-round activity Free Verse Festival / poetry events
Charleston poetry organisation and festival; check current programme for public events.

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South Dakota

City / areaWhenEvent details
Sioux Falls Check current dates Full Circle Book Co-op Open Mic
Independent bookshop/community venue; check calendar for poetry and open-mic events.

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Tennessee

City / areaWhenEvent details
Memphis Every Thursday Java Cabana Open Mic
Poetry and music open mic, 7–10pm.
Memphis Repeating series — check dates Speaker Box Slam
Hattiloo Culture Box; spoken-word competition and open-mic activity.
Memphis Last Friday Thee Last Friday
Poetry, music and live art; public open-mic sign-up.
Nashville Third Sunday YEAH! Youth Open Mic
Crossroads Cat Cafe; original music and spoken word from young performers.

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Texas

City / areaWhenEvent details
Austin Monthly Bolm Arts Poetry Night
Free monthly poetry open mic; poetry, prose and favourite writers welcome.
Austin Monthly Melanated Metaphors
Carver Museum; free monthly poetry open mic with featured poet.
Austin First three Mondays every.Word Poetry Open Mic
The VORTEX Garden Stage; recurring poetry open mic.

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Utah

City / areaWhenEvent details
Salt Lake City Every Tuesday Stage Presence
Clubhouse; community showcase welcoming poetry, storytelling, music, improv and comedy.

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Vermont

City / areaWhenEvent details
Burlington Fourth Wednesday Lit Club Poetry Open Mic
Phoenix Books Burlington; monthly mostly-poetry open mic.

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Virginia

City / areaWhenEvent details
North Chesterfield Last Monday / selected dates Chesterfield Poetry Collective Open Mic
Welcoming community poetry open mic; check current location and dates.
Richmond Second & fourth Wednesday Poems for People Literary Open Mic
Pandora Cafe; poems, flash fiction, lyrics and other short prose welcome.
Richmond First Sunday The Writer's Den Poetry Slam
Monthly spoken-word competition; sign up at the door.
Richmond Every Tuesday Three Notch'd Open Mic
Mixed music and poetry open mic; sign-up from 6pm.

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Washington

City / areaWhenEvent details
Seattle Regular Hugo House Events
Seattle literary centre with readings, open community events and writing programmes; check calendar.

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West Virginia

City / areaWhenEvent details
Morgantown Check current dates West Virginia Writers events
Statewide writers' organisation; check calendar for poetry readings and public literary events.

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Wisconsin

City / areaWhenEvent details
Madison Check current dates Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets events
Statewide poetry readings and events; check current calendar.
Milwaukee Regular Woodland Pattern Events
Major independent poetry centre; frequent readings, workshops and community poetry events.

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Wyoming

City / areaWhenEvent details
Cheyenne Second Sunday Hawthorn Tree Poetry Open Mic
Monthly poetry open mic; five minutes per poet, free.

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