This year’s main stage event will take place on April 18, 2026, at The Center for the Arts, in Grass Valley, CA, attended by some of our most exciting local, national, and international poets and performers.
This year’s keynote event features former United States Poet Laureate Robert Hass and Guggenheim Fellow Brenda Hillman, two of the most influential figures in contemporary American poetry. Hass, a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, is widely celebrated for his lyrical engagement with landscape, memory, and public life. Hillman, known for her formally innovative and politically attentive work, has long been regarded as one of the country’s most original poetic voices.
They are joined by a nationally distinguished roster reflecting the range and vitality of contemporary poetry accross a wide range of aesthetic traditions, regions, and generations, underscoring the festival’s commitment to literary excellence and diverse perspectives.
While Sierra Poetry Festival mainstage readings anchor the day, attendees can participate in generative breakout sessions, facilitated conversations, and interdisciplinary collaborations that integrate music, film, and performance. A robust youth segment continues the festival’s longstanding investment in young writers, offering opportunities for students to share their work alongside established poets.
More information can be found at here.