The 10th Annual San José Poetry Festival ignites the Bay Area’s passion for spoken word and performance poetry. This year’s lineup features iconic spoken word artists: RC Weslowski from Vancouver, Canada, Bao Phi from Minneapolis, and Rachel McKibbens from Rochester, NY, alongside a stellar roster of poets from San Francisco, Oakland, and the South Bay. Join us for a mix of free Zoom events, electrifying in-person performances, and immersive writing workshops. Saturday’s Youth Poets Laureate event will also feature Yosimar Reyes, our new SCC Poet Laureate! Secure your tickets online or at each venue, and be part of this unforgettable celebration of poetic artistry!
Early Bird Festival Passes On Sale June 1, 2025!
The 2025 Festival Performances are free for anyone aged 19 and under.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Each link offers more detail and options to purchase individual tickets.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
8pm – Opening Night: 2025 San José Poetry Festival
Featuring Jan McEwan, José Jiménez, and Keiko O’Leary. Doors at 7:00. Venue TBA, San Jose. Nearest parking garage. This event is free to all youth aged 19 and under and to those with a festival pass. $20 for general public and $15 for PCSJ Members. Admission may be purchased at the door.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
4:00–5:30pm – Friday Fun Youth Poetry Workshop – FREE (No ticket needed!)
Facilitated by Mighty Mike McGee. Willow Glen Library, 1157 Minnesota Ave, San Jose
6:30pm – ¡Cultura Poetry Night! Open Mic – FREE on ZOOM
Features TBA. Hosted by Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo.
8pm – Friday Night Event TBA
Doors at 7:00pm. Venue TBA, San Jose. Nearest parking garage. This event is free to all youth aged 19 and under and to those with a festival pass. $20 for general public and $15 for PCSJ Members. Admission may be purchased at the door.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
10am – Writing Workshop | Palabras & Poetry: TBA
Facilitated by Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo. FREE on ZOOM.
11am – WORKSHOP | TBA
Facilitated by TBA. Venue TBA, San José
11am – TBA – FREE (No ticket needed!)
Hosted by TBA. Venue TBA.
12pm – Beautiful Black Books – FREE on ZOOM
Featuring TBA. Hosted by Tshaka Campbell. Register on Zoom.
2pm – WORKSHOP | TBA
Venue TBA, San José. Street parking available. Not included in Festival Pass. $40 for the general public, $20 for PCSJ members and youth 19 and under.
5pm – TBA
Venue TBA. Register at Link.
8pm – SATURDAY NIGHT | SCC Youth Poets Laureate Commencement
Doors at 7:00PM. SJZ Break Room, 310 South First Street. Nearest parking garage. This event is free to all youth aged 19 and under and to those with a festival pass. $20 for general public and $15 for PCSJ Members. Admission may be purchased at the door.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
10am-1pm – Small Press Fair & Open Mic – FREE (No ticket needed!)
Markham House at History Park, 1650 Phelan Avenue, San José
1:30-3:30pm – WRITING WORKSHOP
Markham House at History Park, 1650 Phelan Avenue, San José. Not included in Festival Pass. $40 for the general public, $20 for PCSJ members and youth 19 and under.
7pm – Closing Night: 2024 San José Poetry Festival
Featuring Rachel McKibbens, Josiah Luis Alderete and Sally Ashton. Doors at 6:30. First Unitarian Church, 160 N 3rd Street, San Jose. Nearest parking garage. This event is free to all youth aged 19 and under and to those with a festival pass. $20 for general public and $15 for PCSJ Members. Admission may be purchased at the door.
Follow Poetry Center San José on Facebook and Instagram for announcements about other amazing South Bay poetry events happening throughout the rest of the year. Help support Poetry Center San José by becoming a member.
San José Poetry Festival 2024 is presented by Poetry Center San José and is sponsored in part by: Festival and Cultural Affairs grants from the City of San José; a grant from SVCreates, in partnership with the County of Santa Clara and the California Arts Council and also supported in part by a SVCreates National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan grant; Literary Arts Emergency Fund supported by the Mellon Foundation; and with support from Anne & Mark's Art Party, and Brandenburg Family Foundation. Many thanks Four Points by Sheraton for hotel accommodations and Robertino R. Ragazza for his guidance and hospitality. We would like to acknowledge and offer our deepest gratitude to past and current venues worthy of your support: San Jose Stage, Central Park Library Santa Clara, Convergence Arts Center, SJZ Break Room, Art Boutiki, Books Inc., Caravan Lounge, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, First Unitarian Church of San José, History/San José, MACLA, Mama Kin, Recycle Bookstore, The School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza, Tabard Theatre (R.I.P.), Willow Glen Public Library and Works/San José. Please support these spaces however you can. And we thank all our volunteers whose time and effort make this festival possible.
You Are Awesome!
All of us at Poetry Center San José are grateful for your support of our “little festival that could” over the years. Thank you so much for showing up and really being present with us, with poetry and with our amazing guest performers.
Most truly,
Mighty Mike McGee
2021-2024 San José Poetry Festival Director