Jersey City Poetry Festival (JCPOFEST) is a festival for The People, illuminating the tapestry of human connection that transcends the boundaries of individual studies and mediums. We celebrate the joy of literacy and literature!
Established in 2024, JCPOFEST is not just a festival—it is a homecoming of voices, a gathering of questions, a place where poetry shakes hands with science, where philosophy sits beside technology, and where all art forms exist like a harmonious ecosystem. It is a celebration of who we are, where we wander, what we wonder, and how we shape the world around us.
JCPOFEST is rooted in community, energized by innovation and inspires us to envision new ways of being together, of dreaming together. As part of the year round events leading to the festival weekend, multidisciplinary experiences invite us into a poem not just as readers, but as witnesses, as participants, as makers of sacred spaces that nurture collective imagination.
JCPOFEST doesn’t just speak—it listens.
JCPOFEST, in partnership with local writers, artists, organizations and local businesses, is a gift wrapped in hope, vision, and the urgent need to remind us about the mystery, fragility and majesty of our planet earth and those who inhabit it.
The Festival takes place September 19-21, 2025
9/19 - VIP FESTIVE NETWORKING EXPERIENCE
* With a COSPLAY ELEMENT - at The Stork Club - 2 Chapel Avenue - Jersey City, NJ 07305
* 7pm - 11pm
NETWORKING TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
* Creative attire and literary figure costumes are not mandatory but they are joyfully encouraged.- Let's have some fun! *
* An exclusive gathering for select voices in poetry, publishing, and the arts.
This unique evening brings together creatives, visionaries, and art-lovers in an immersive celebration of poetic legacy and lyrical brilliance. As part of the evening's theme, we invite you to attend in bookish attire or dressed as a renowned poet or lyricist who has inspired you—be it Emily Dickinson, Tupac Shakur, Bob Dylan, Maya Angelou, or any artist whose words have left a mark on history. We also encourage each guest to bring a short piece—a poem, verse, or lyric—to read aloud, authored by the artist you embody. This shared experience will celebrate the timeless power of words and the diverse voices that continue to shape our cultural narrative. NOTE: * bookish or Literary figure costumes are NOT REQUIRED - come as you are and take in the vibes!
Line up:
* Leilani
* Jasmine de Leon
* Meyling Wong
* Brona Nielsen
The Jersey City Poetry Festival / aka JCPOFEST
*ALL ACCESS 3-DAY PASS CLICK HERE!
* Unlimited entry to all performances, panels, workshops, and special events for all three days. September 19, 20, and 21st
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Poet Laureate of Jersey City 2025 - 2026
Founder / Creative Director /
Interdisciplinary Curator / Executive Producer
Producer / Panel Curator / Editor /
Communications
Production Manager / Sculpture Garden Curator / Financial Officer & Compliance Coordinator
Technical Director/ Equipment Manager /
Stage Crew Lead
Photographer
