We hope you join us.

Your Guide to Events at the 2026 Camden Festival of Poetry

Program Overview

Kickoff Tuesday May 12

  • Public Reading and welcome
    6:00 - 7:15pm at the Camden Public Library 55 Main St . Limited seating, get there early!

Thursday, May 14

  • The Sonic Cafe: Singer-Songwriter Open Mic • 7:00 - 9:00pm in the Pilgrim Room, First Congregational Church of Camden, 55 Elm Street FREE and Open to the Public.

Friday, May 15

  • “How to Fall Down Into the Grass: Writing from the Natural World”, a Craft Talk with Aimee Nezhukumatathil • 2:00 - 4:00pm at the Camden Public Library 55 Main St. Information about tickets coming soon.

  • Poetry Open Mic 7:00 - 9:00pm at the First Congregational Church, Camden.

Saturday, May 16

  • The Poetry Walk 10:00 - 11:00am Meet at the Town Hall at 29 Elm Street at 10 am.

All other events on Saturday will take place at the Congregational Church at 55 Elm Street.

  • Workshops 10am - 12:00pm. Sign up ONLINE, details coming soon.

  • Welcome by Festival Chairs 2:00pm

  • Maine Poets & Musicians 2:10 - 3:10pm

  • Refreshments and Book Fair 3:15 - 3:45pm

  • Awards presentations 4:00 - 4:15pm

  • Keynote address “Notes from a Night Owl: Learning to Glow When the World Goes Dim” with Aimee Nezhukumatathil 4:15 - 5:15pm.

Festival Highlights • More Details Coming Soon!

  • Tuesday May 12 • Public Reading at the Camden Public Library

    6:00 - 7:15pm. Limited seating, get there early!

  • Thursday May 14 • The Sonic Café

    7:00 - 9:00pm Singer-Songwriters perform, in the Pilgrim Room, First Congregational Church of Camden, 55 Elm Street • FREE and open to the public!

  • Friday May 15 • Aimee Nezhukumatathil Craft Talk

    2:00 - 4:00 pm
    Sign up for tickets, there are 65 seats available.

  • Friday May 16 • Poetry Open Mic at the First Congregational Church

    7:00 - 9:00pm.

  • Saturday May 17 • Workshops

    7 Workshops will be held between 2:15 - 3:10pm. Sign up will be in-person on Saturday.

  • Saturday May 16 • Keynote Address

    by Aimee Nezhukumatathil 4:15 - 5:15pm

Book Tables at the Festival

Do you have a book you’d like to sell? Do you have a small (or medium-sized) press with books to sell? Limited to 20 Book Sellers! Sign ups will open soon!

Volunteer for the Festival

Are you local and interested in helping out befure and during the Festival? Click on the button below to get your name on the list!

Poetry Open Mic 2026

Registration for the Poetry Open Mic will open soon!