Experience the Power of Words at the Eighth Annual Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival

The Eighth Annual Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival returns December 11–13, 2025, bringing three electrifying days of poetry, performance, and community celebration to Pompano Beach. Recognized as one of the country’s premier spoken word gatherings, Exit 36 continues its mission to honor poetry, uplift artistic voices, and celebrate the cultural pioneers who have shaped our creative landscape.

This dynamic festival serves the community through educational, theatrical, and literary programming, offering a rare opportunity to learn from and be inspired by regional, national, and international poets. Through writing workshops, artist talks, and one of the most anticipated slam competitions in the nation, Exit 36 provides a platform where storytelling, truth-telling, and artistic bravery shine.

This year, 40 competing poets will take the stage at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, each bringing their best work to a multi-round competition designed to challenge craft, stamina, and stage presence. To take home the title, poets must perform six original poems—no repeats allowed—across the Preliminary, Semi-Final, and Final rounds. Time is tight, emotions run high, and every word matters.

The journey begins with two nights of Preliminary rounds, where poets perform one original piece in intimate micro-bouts hosted at Ali Cultural Arts Center and The Hive Black Box. No one is eliminated during prelims, but rankings will determine who advances. The top 20 poets move on to the high-energy Semi-Finals at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, where head-to-head matchups and 2-minute poems raise the stakes. Judges vote and only 10 poets will earn the right to compete on the Final Stage.

Finals night is the crown jewel of the festival: three rounds, increasing intensity, and a clean-slate final battle among the top four poets. With $5,000 on the line for first place—plus additional prizes for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th—the showdown promises unforgettable performances, raw emotion, and artistry at its peak.

Beyond the competition, Exit 36 offers a full slate of community-centered events designed to educate, entertain, and inspire. Daily writing workshops invite participants to grow their craft, while evening programs add a playful twist: Comedy in the Courtyard brings laughter and levity after the first night of prelims, and Poetry Bingo turns spoken word into an interactive adventure. For night owls, the After Hours series at Bojo’s keeps the energy alive with open mics, underground slams, and creative camaraderie stretching into the early morning hours.

At its heart, the Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of voice, culture, and collective expression. It’s where emerging poets meet seasoned veterans, where the community gathers to listen and be moved, and where the power of language is honored in all its forms.

Tickets are on sale now—don’t miss your chance to experience one of the most exhilarating poetry events in the country.