Please join the Chicago Public Library this April to celebrate National Poetry Month. Throughout the month, we will host workshops, performances, and discussions across our library locations as we explore poetry from many cultures and traditions. Together, we will discover poetic forms from around the world, experiment with bilingual writing, and engage with poets and presenters whose work reflects the many languages and communities that shape Chicago. We invite readers and writers of all experience levels to celebrate poetry with us throughout the month. Join us on Saturday, April 25th for our annual Poetry Fest at the Harold Washington Library Center.
Events
See event highlights below and view all Poetry Month events.
Featured
Say it in your own words: a bilingual poetry workshop with Miguel Marzana
Weds, April 1 at 4:30pm
Manning Branch
Sijo and Sijo-song: Korea’s Poetry Form with Lucy Park
Sat, April 4 at 11:00am at Budlong Woods Branch
Sat, April 25 at 3:00pm at Little Village Branch
Arabic Celebration of Poetry: “To My Mother” with Fidaa Abuassi
Sat, April 4 at 1:00pm
Beverly Branch
Let’s Translate a Japanese Waka Poem! with Naoko Fujimoto
Sat, April 4 at 2:30pm
Richard J. Daley Branch
Poetry Across the World with Beatriz Badikian-Gartler
Tues, April 7 at 6:00pm
Edgewater Branch
No Preguntarme Nada: Bilingual Poetry Workshop with Brighton Park Poets
Sat, April 11 at 2:00pm
Archer Heights Branch
The World in our Backyard: Poetry of Place and Resistance with Isaiah “Adverb” James
Sat, April 11 at 2:00pm
Manning Branch
World of Micro Poetry with Regina Harris Baiocchi
Monday, April 13 at 6:00pm
Little Italy Branch
Poetry Open Mic Featuring The P.O. Box Collective
Monday, April 13 at 6:00pm
Rogers Park Branch
Bilingual Workshop: Exploring Your Roots with Luis Tubens
Monday, April 13 at 6:00pm
Portage Cragin Branch
Harmony from Inside: A Poetry Performance and Workshop with Tanae B
Tuesday, April 14 at 6:00pm
Logan Square Branch
Adult Listening Circle: Poetry Unbound
Wednesday, April 15 at 1:00pm
Harold Washington Library Center
June Jordan and the Protest Poem led by Musu Bangura
Wednesday, April 15 at 4:00pm
South Shore Branch
Architects of Memory: A Poetry Workshop and Open Mic Honoring Black Poets
Sunday, April 19 at 1:30pm
Woodson Regional
Letter Poems with Lisa Low
Sunday, April 19 at 3:30pm
Chinatown Branch
Poetry, Power, Peace: A Gospel Therapy Experiential Workshop with Willa Moore and Kym Franklin
Sunday, April 26 at 2:00pm
North Austin Branch
Film Screenings
Paterson
Saturday, April 4 at 10am at Rogers Park Branch
Bright Star
Monday, April 6 at 2pm at Edgewater Branch
Deaf Jam
Thursday, April 16 at 4pm at Budlong Woods Branch
Open Mics
Open Mic
Monday, April 20 at 6pm
Manning Branch
Please visit www.chipublib.org/events for additional Poetry Month film screenings, open mics, and writing groups.
Recommended Reading
Poetry Month 2026: Books for Kids
Poetry Month 2026: Books for Teens
Poetry Month 2026: Books for Adults
Poetry Month: Recent Poetry Highlights for Adults