2027 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Five days of poetry in Albuquerque.
March 24–28, 2027
FIVE DAYS. MORE THAN 30 EVENTS.
The 2027 Chicharra Poetry Festival brings four days of readings, workshops, craft talks, poetry slam, open mics, youth programming, a book market, community events, and performances to venues across Albuquerque.
The complete 2027 festival schedule is coming soon. We'll continue adding events, featured poets, venues, and times as programming is confirmed.
Most Chicharra events are free and open to the public. The Champions Stage on Saturday night requires a separate ticket.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24
Opening Night
The Sound of Cicadas: Poetry Resolana — The Work of Wonder
Featuring Barbara Rockman, with additional poets to be announced.
Chicharra opens with its annual signature reading and conversation, bringing poets together around the 2027 theme, The Work of Wonder.
Additional Wednesday programming coming soon.
THURSDAY, MARCH 25
Poetry Across Albuquerque
Chicharra Poetry Slam — Preliminary Competition
Team and Individual preliminary bouts begin at venues across Albuquerque.
Also planned throughout the festival:
Open mics · readings · performances · community events
Complete Thursday schedule coming soon.
FRIDAY, MARCH 26
Workshops, Events & Competition
Workshops & Craft Talks
Free daytime programming for poets, writers, and audiences.
Chicharra Poetry Slam — Preliminary Competition
The second night of Team and Individual preliminary bouts determines who advances to the Champions Stage.
Also planned:
Open mics · readings · special events · performances
Complete Friday schedule coming soon.
SATURDAY, MARCH 27
Festival Finale
Book Market
Browse books, chapbooks, journals, presses, literary organizations, and work from poets participating throughout the festival.
Voices Rising
Free youth workshops and the Southwest Regional Youth Poetry Slam for poets ages 13–20.
Workshops & Craft Talks
Free daytime literary programming.
CHAMPIONS STAGE
South Broadway Cultural Center
Doors: 6 PM · Champions Stage: 7 PM
Tickets: $20
The top four Individual poets and top four Teams meet for the culminating event of the Chicharra Poetry Slam and the crowning of the 2027 Southwest Regional Champions.
GET CHAMPIONS STAGE TICKETS
SUNDAY, MARCH 28
CLOSING DAY
Poets Breaking Bread
One last gathering before we say goodbye.
Join poets, friends, and community for Chicharra's annual Poets Breaking Bread, a relaxed closing-day gathering built around food, conversation, connection, and the community we've made together over five days of poetry.
Additional closing-day programming to be announced.
MORE TO COME
We're still building Chicharra 2027.
Additional readings, workshops, craft talks, open mics, performances, special events, participating poets, venues, and times will be announced as the festival approaches.
Festival attendance is free. Registration opens November 1.