The Sharon Springs Poetry Festival returns October 15–17, bringing Paul Muldoon, Tina Chang, Mary Jo Salter, and Sherman Alexie to the village for readings, writing workshops, and conversations about poetry.
From a special dinner at the historic American Hotel to a free public reading and intimate writing workshops, the festival offers opportunities to listen, ask questions, share your writing, and spend time with the poets. Readers, practicing writers, and curious newcomers are all welcome.
Thursday: Dinner with the poets
Every year, we kick off the Poetry Festival with this special fundraising event, and 2026 is no exception! By special arrangement, this year’s Dinner with the Poets will take place at the historic American Hotel on Thursday, October 15, with dinner prepared by Chef Lee Woolver.
Attendees will be able to meet the poets in advance of the public events, and Sherman Alexie, Tina Chang, and Mary Jo Salter will each offer a special reading between courses.
The cash bar opens at 6 p.m., and dinner is served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $90 per person, including dinner and gratuity; drinks are extra. A vegetarian option is available at checkout, and we will do our best to honor seating preferences.
Reserve your place at Dinner with the Poets.
Friday: A free evening of poetry
Join us at the Sharon Springs Central School Auditorium on Friday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. for a public reading with the festival poets. Admission is free, with a book signing afterward and books available for purchase through Klinkhart Hall Arts Center. Earlier in the day, the poets will take part in a school program for students.
Saturday: Write with the poets
Spend the morning writing, reading, and talking about poetry with some of the most distinguished poets working today. Four workshops led by Paul Muldoon, Sherman Alexie, Tina Chang, and Mary Jo Salter take place Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Chartwell Studios and the Sharon Springs Free Library.
Limited to just eight participants each, these small-group workshops offer a rare opportunity to work directly with one of the festival poets in an informal and supportive setting. Participants of all levels of experience are welcome, from practicing poets to those who are simply interested in exploring their own writing.
Workshops are free, but space is extremely limited and advance registration is required. Bring copies of an original work to share and discuss with your workshop group.
Register for a free poetry workshop.
A closing conversation: Poetry and Posterity
The festival concludes at Chartwell Studios on Saturday, October 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. with Poetry and Posterity, a free panel moderated by Paul Muldoon with the festival poets.
Plan your festival weekend
See the full festival program for the schedule, poet biographies, venue maps, and registration links. Events take place at venues around Sharon Springs while the restoration of historic Klinkhart Hall continues.
Klinkhart Hall Arts Center believes the arts have the power to transform lives, spark conversation, and strengthen communities. Join us this October to celebrate poetry and the people who bring it to life.
