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.
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 1stat 4:30pm
Manning Branch
Sijo and Sijo-song: Korea’s Poetry Form with Lucy Park
Sat, April 4that 11am at Budlong Woods Branch
Sat, April 25that 2pm at Little Village Branch
Arabic Celebration of Poetry: “To My Mother” with Fidaa Abuassi
Sat, April 4that 1pm
Beverly Branch
Let’s Translate a Japanese Waka Poem! with Naoko Fujimoto
Sat, April 4th at 2:30pm
Richard J. Daley Branch
Poetry Across the Worldwith Beatriz Badikian-Gartler
Tues, April 7that 6pm
Edgewater Branch
No Preguntarme Nada: Bilingual Poetry Workshop with Brighton Park Poets
Sat, April 11that 2:00pm
Archer Heights Branch
The World in our Backyard: Poetry of Place and Resistance with Isaiah “Adverb” James
Sat, April 11that 2pm
Manning Branch
World of Micro Poetry with Regina Harris Baiocchi
Monday, April 13that 6pm
Little Italy Branch
Poetry Open Mic Featuring The P.O. Box Collective
Monday, April 13that 6pm
Rogers Park Branch
Bilingual Workshop: Exploring Your Roots with Luis Tubens
Monday, April 13that 6pm
Portage Cragin Branch
Harmony from Inside: A Poetry Performance and Workshop with Tanae B
Tuesday, April 14that 6:00pm
Logan Square Branch
Adult Listening Circle: Poetry Unbound
Wednesday, April 15that 1pm
Harold Washington Library Center
June Jordan and the Protest Poem led by Musu Bangura
Wednesday, April 15that 4:00pm
South Shore Branch
Letter Poems with Lisa Low
Sunday, April 19that 3:30pm
Chinatown Branch
Poetry, Power, Peace: A Gospel Therapy Experiential Workshop with Willa Moore and Kym Franklin
Sunday, April 26that 2:00pm
North Austin Branch
Film Screenings
Paterson
Saturday, April 4th at 10am at Rogers Park Branch
Bright Star
Monday, April 6th at 2pm at Edgewater Branch
Deaf Jam
Thursday, April 16th at 4pm at Budlong Woods Branch
Open Mics
Open Mic
Monday, April 20th 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