Events

Browse CPC’s upcoming events, and explore or submit to the city wide poetry events calendar. Check out the archive for 50+ years of CPC readings and more.

A poet in a pink tank top reads from her phone at a microphone while an ASL interpreter signs beside her in an elegant room with dark-framed windows and natural light.

Blue Hour

Our flagship reading and workshop series, hosted on the third Wednesday evening of each month, fall through spring

 Two dancers leap joyfully on a plaza stage at an outdoor Poetry at The Green event, with audience members seated on the grass and downtown buildings in the background.

Poetry at the Green

Our summer outdoor reading series, occurring on Monday nights June – August with a featured poet and community open mic

 A wall collage of vintage Poetry Center event posters featuring readings by poets including Denise Levertov, Dennis Brutus, Bill Knott, Galway Kinnell, Margaret Atwood, James Laughlin, Mark Strand, Maxine Kumin, Faye Kicknosway, Naomi Lazard, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Event Archive

Over 50 years of CPC events, from our beginnings at the MCA to our current home at Haymarket House, across the city and beyond

 Two people write in notebooks at an outdoor poetry event in a garden, one wearing a colorful skull-print shirt and the other in a pink woven sweater.

CPC Events Calendar

Tailoring programming to suit the needs of communities, events, and special collaborations

Community Events Calendar

Submit your own event or browse the city-wide calendar for happenings across Chicago