CARRBORO, N.C. -- The 20th Annual West End Poetry Festival returns, Oct. 16-18, 2025. All events are free and open to the public. The theme this year is "The Power of Poetry."
For more information on the events and poets please visit the West End Poetry website: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2781/West-End-Poetry-Festival
Thursday, October 16 │ Steel String Brewery at 106-A S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
- 7 - 9 p.m. - Join the Carrboro Poet’s Council for a reading & collaborative poem. Hear poems from Gilbert-Chappell Mentorship Series Poet Kelsey Weimar. Stay for a fun open mic experience!
Friday, October 17 │ Drakeford Library Complex at 203 S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
- 5-7 p.m. - Youth Writing Workshop with NC Youth Poet Laureate Rishi Janakiraman
- 7-7:45 p.m. - Join us for a reception on the 3rd floor terrace.
- 8-9:30 p.m. - Poetry reading from Carlina Duan and Meg Day, followed by a conversation and question-and-answer session.
Saturday, October 18 │ Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
- 12:30 p.m. - Join us for coffee and biscuits!
- 1:00 p.m. - Welcome from Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, Reading by School Youth Poets Laureate, NC Youth Poet Laureate Rishi Janakiraman and Farmers' Market Seedling Day Poems read by youth
- 1:45 - 3 p.m. - Book poets reading
- Jameela Fay Dallis
- Erin Miller
- Vince Kopp
- Crystal Simone Smith
- 3-4 p.m. - Coffee and snacks, publishers and tables, books for sale
- 4-4:45 p.m. - Poetry reading with Liza Wolff-Francis and James Davis May
- 5-5:45 p.m. - Poetry in the Round
- 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. - Dinner from Carrburritos
- 6:30 p.m. - Craft Talk - "The Art of Futility" with James Davis May
Saturday, October 18 │Steel String Brewery at 106-A S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
- 8 p.m. - Afterparty and Open Mic
For more information: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2781/West-End-Poetry-Festival
The West End Poetry Festival is sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and is planned by the Carrboro Poets Council with the assistance of the staff of Carrboro’s Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department and the support of the Carrboro Arts Committee and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.
###