Poets House hosts 40 poets for an afternoon reading celebrating the library and literary center’s 40 years of inviting everyone to step into the living tradition of poetry. Join the festivities and enjoy food, refreshments, and readings. Featured readers include both established and emerging poets from a vast range of literary styles, all of whom play a part in the organization’s vibrant community. Readers include New York Poet Laureate Kimiko Hahn, Rachel Eliza Griffiths, Mark Doty, former New York Poet Laureate Patricia Spears Jones, Kyle Carrero Lopez, Tracie Morris, and many more. This event is supported by the Battery Park City Authority.
Located on the Hudson River in Battery Park City, the 100,000-volume Poets House library remains the most comprehensive collection of poetry available on open shelves in the nation. In 2026, Poets House continues its celebrations throughout the year with an exhibition showcasing 40 years of Poets House history through archival documents, photographs, publications and ephemera, opening April 18 and running through June 2026.