Your Guide to Events at the 2026 Camden Festival of Poetry

We hope you join us.

Program Overview

Kickoff Tuesday May 12

  • A Feast of Poetry and Song: a Public Reading and welcome
    6:00 - 7:15pm at the Camden Public Library 55 Main St. Limited seating, get there early! See the line-up!

Thursday, May 14

Friday, May 15

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

  • Poetry Open Mic Sign up in person the night of the event, first come, first served. 7:00 - 9:00pm • Pascal Hall 86 Pascal Ave in Rockport

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.

  • 10:00 - 12:00 Workshops Sign up ONLINE.

  • 1:30 Welcome by Festival Chairs

  • 1:40 Maine Poets & Musicians find out more HERE.

  • 2:40 Stretch Break

  • 2:45 Two Ponds Press Presentation: Words & Images. Details here.

  • 3:15 Book Fair: Sign up for a table here.

  • 3:45 Award Presentations for Zimpritch Poet of Promise and 2026 Chapbook winner

  • 4:00 Notes from a Night Owl Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s Keynote Live also available over Zoom.

  • 5:00 Book signing

Festival Highlights!

  • Tuesday May 12 • A Feast of Poetry & Song at the Camden Public Library

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

    View the Line-Up!

  • Thursday May 14 • The Sonic Café at Pascal Hall in Rockport

    7:00 - 9:00pm Singer-Songwriters perform • Hosted by John and Rachel Nicholas • FREE and open to the public!

    View the Line-up Here

  • Friday May 15 • Aimee Nezhukumatathil Craft Talk

    2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Camden Public Library. Sign up for tickets, there are 65 seats available.

    Get your tickets!

  • Friday May 15 • Poetry Open Mic at Pascal Hall in Rockport

    7:00 - 9:00pm.

  • Saturday May 16 • Workshops

    5 Workshops will be held between 10:00am - 12:00pm on Saturday morning. Sign up here on the website.

    Workshop Details

  • Saturday May 16 4:00pm • Keynote Address

    4:00 pm “Notes from a Night Owl” by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

    Find out more

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!

Attend the Poetry Open Mic

This year the Open Mic will be hosted at Pascal Hall 86 Pascal Ave in Rockport from 7:00 =- 9:00pm. Sign ups will be at the vent, please arrive a little early to get your name on the list to read.

Register for the 2026 Camden Festival of Poetry

Let us know if you plan to attend the Camden Festival. The festival is FREE, but it helps us to know how many people to expect!