Celebrate Poets House’s 40th Anniversary With a Poetry Marathon
April 13, 2026
It’s National Poetry Month, which is already reason enough to visit Poets House (10 River Terr.). But if you need extra incentive, this month the much-loved poetry sanctuary also marks its 40th anniversary, and throwing a celebration replete with food, drinks and, crucially, the written word.
Head to Poets House on April 18 from noon to 6 p.m., where 40 poets will gather to read poems throughout the day. Readers include Keisha-Gaye Anderson, Kimiko Hahn, Cornelius Eady and Rachel Eliza Griffiths. There will also be plenty of food, wine, music and cake to fete the library and meeting space’s founding by poet Stanley Kunitz and poetry advocate Betty Kray. In the four decades since then, Poets House has become a true oasis for poetry lovers, cultivating a massive collection of poetry books, chapbooks and other related material, in addition to offering workshops, classes, showcases and other events.
The 40th anniversary event is free to attend, although there is a $10 suggested contribution to benefit Poets House’s ongoing programming. Grab a ticket here, and if you can’t make it on April 18, consider stopping by Poets House some other time to read, rest and soak up some of the neighborhood’s best literary vibes.
