O, Miami Poetry Festival
Through Apr 30, 2026
April is National Poetry Month and there’s perhaps no more dynamic place to celebrate than in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, thanks to the O, Miami Poetry Festival. Founded in 2011 with the ethos that poetry belongs to everyone, everywhere, the festival highlights the region as a living poem through acts of collective imagination.
O, Miami’s mission is for every person in Miami-Dade County to encounter poetry during the month of April – sometimes in the most unlikely of places. In 2026, that means poetic pigeons in flight, poems written in water on sidewalks, poems read as basketball play calls and poems hidden in classified ads.
Building off of last year’s “Soy de Todas Partes” project, the festival will also disseminate 100 poems celebrating the immigrant experience throughout public spaces in Miami.
Encompassing over 50 projects and events, the 2026 O, Miami Poetry Festival kicks off with a Full Pink Moon Launch Party (April 1) on Miami Beach. It will also mark its 15th birthday with Nuestros Quince/Everyone’s Quince (April 12), a quinceañera-style celebration for the entire city.
South Florida writers will join nationally-renowned poets in a series of readings, including O, Miami Founder P. Scott Cunningham, Cecily Parks, Gabrielle Calvocoressi and fellows of the Poetry Foundation: Jada Renée Allen, DeeSoul Carson, Andres Cordoba, Maryhilda Obasiota Ibe and Aris Kian.
The festival will also welcome poet Mathias Svalina for a month-long residence of his Dream Delivery Service, a nomadic literary arts project that invites South Floridians to subscribe for a month of dream poems written and delivered daily throughout April.
While O, Miami is most visible during its annual Poetry Month festival, the non-profit is a year-round publisher and education organization. Through workshops, poetry readings, public art and publishing initiatives, O, Miami remains deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Miami.
We’ve picked out our favorite events from this year’s impressive O, Miami festival program – most of which are free to attend. Peruse all the best literary offerings to plan your most poetic April in Miami ever.
O, Miami 2026 Events Highlights
Full Pink Moon Launch Party at Andaz Miami Beach
April 1
Under the full pink moon, celebrate the kickoff to National Poetry Month and O, Miami festival with a lunar-themed open mic session on the sand – and the opportunity to view the moon through a telescope – at Andaz Miami Beach.
Poetry in Pajamas at Pinecrest Gardens
April 3
Come out to Pinecrest Gardens for a pajama party and poetry open mic, where kids of all ages can read both original work and works by favorite poets. The evening will feature a by-kids-for-kids crafts and snacks marketplace, sensory-friendly play stations and a performance by Miami’s beloved electro-pop duo, Afrobeta.
“Literally Everyone’s Invited: Odes to South Florida” Gallery Opening at Books & Books Coral Gables
April 4
O, Miami and Books & Books are throwing a reception to celebrate the publication of Literally Everyone’s Invited: An Ode to South Florida, a book of poems and photography featuring the works of over 450 South Floridians.
The book is a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the ZipOde, a playful, place-based poetic form created by O, Miami in partnership with WLRN. That evening at Books & Books, photography by artists featured in the book will be unveiled and on display throughout the month of April.
Nuestros Quince/Everyone's Quince: 15 Years of O, Miami at 94th Aero Squadron
April 12
To mark O, Miami’s 15th year, the fest is throwing a quinceañera celebration for all of Miami, hosted by Cuci Amador of Afrobeta at the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant near Miami International Airport. The evening promises gowns, crowns, nostalgia and a playful, glamour-fueled party.
Expect a poetry and rose ceremony, a performance by Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre, Hora Loca with Miami Bloco, specialty cocktails by Bacardi, local artist activations, photo-ops and beats by DJ Yung Algebra.
“UniVERSE” Film Premiere at the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science
April 25
Join O, Miami at the Frost Science planetarium where poems by local residents and K-12 students will be showcased in the premiere of UniVERSE, a full-length planetarium feature exploring the wonders of space and the beauty of South Florida, from the cosmos to the coral reefs.
Paws in the Park at Altos del Mar Park
April 26
In collaboration with Miami Beach OnStage, O, Miami invites dog lovers to a canine carnival at Altos Del Mar Park complete with live performances, poetry readings, dog adoptions, art and a zine-making table. It all culminates with an outdoor screening of the cult classic Best in Show, hosted by the Miami Film Festival.
ZipOdes Finale at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
April 29
As a festival finale, O, Miami and WLRN will celebrate Miami’s favorite home-grown poetic form with an evening celebration and poetry readings at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens.
By Shayne Benowitz | March 31, 2026