Exit 36
The Ninth Annual Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival is a three-day poetry festival that serves the community through educational, theatrical, and literary performances. The festival will nurture, support, and showcase regional, national, and international writers, facilitators, and artists from all over the country to honor the creative genius of our own cultural arts pioneers. The festival includes writing workshops, artists' talks, and the Slam Poetry competition. In its seventh year, the Exit 36 objectives remain the same -- to pay homage to poetry, spoken word, literacy, community engagement, and to celebrate the arts. The 3-day event attracts the premier spoken word artists in the country and will take place December 10 - 12, 2026 at the City’s cultural venues.
Tickets
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Get your tickets here.
Rules
Festival Overview
50 W Atlantic Blvd.
Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Preliminary Rounds
Advancing to Semi-Finals
Semi-Finals
Final Stage
Performance Rules
Judging
Prizes
- 1st Place: $5,000
- 2nd Place: $2,500
- 3rd Place: $1,500
- 4th Place: $500
- Highest Score Prize: $100 highest score and $75 second highest score of the night
Event Schedule
Day 1 - Thursday, December 10 │ Ali Cultural Arts Center & The Hive Black Box
- Mandatory Orientation: 4pm – 5:00pm
Kompa Dance Workshop | 5:45 – 7:00 PM | Ali Courtyard
Ease into the festival with movement, music, and culture. This beginner-friendly Kompa workshop introduces participants to the rich traditions of Haiti's signature dance while encouraging connection, confidence, and community. Whether you're stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or brushing up on your moves, this energetic session is designed to bring people together through music and movement
- Competition Prelims | 7:30 – 9:45 PM | Ali Arts Center & The Hive
The competition officially begins as 40 of the world's best poets take the stage for the preliminary rounds of the Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival. Across two venues, artists deliver powerful original work as they compete for a coveted spot in the next round. Expect unforgettable performances, fierce competition, and the electric energy that has made Exit 36 one of the country's premier slam poetry festivals.
- Poetry'Oke Open Mic | 10:00 – 11:00 PM | Ali Arts Center
A fan-favorite returns! Poetry'Oke invites poets to perform over a live instrumental. Choose the perfect beat or leave it to the DJ for a surprise musical twist. Whether it's hip-hop, soul, Afrobeat, jazz, or R&B, each performance becomes a unique collaboration between poet and music. With no scores or competition, Poetry'Oke is all about creativity, spontaneity, and celebrating the joy of performance.
- Kickback: Story Slam | 11:30 – 2am | Bojo’s Seafood Kitchen
After the official festivities, the poets' only after-hours experience begins. Kickback: Story Slam invites competing poets to step outside the world of poetry and into the art of storytelling. Participants will share engaging, true stories in response to a featured prompt, showcasing humor, vulnerability, and unforgettable life experiences. Judges' scores will be in effect. One storyteller will walk away with bragging rights, a cash prize, and perhaps the best story of the weekend. It's relaxed, unpredictable, and the perfect way for artists to connect beyond the competition.
Day 2 – Friday December 11 │Ali Cultural Arts Center & The Hive Black Box
- Beach Party | 10:30am – 2pm | Pavilion #3
Salsa on the Beach | 11:00am - 12:00am | Pavilion #3Workshop: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Ali Cultural Arts Center)
Start your day with rhythm, movement, and ocean views at Salsa on the Beach. Led by a professional dance instructor, this interactive workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of salsa while celebrating the vibrant music and culture that help shape South Florida. Whether you're stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or looking to refine your technique, this fun and welcoming experience is designed for all skill levels. Bring your dancing shoes, connect with fellow festival-goers, and enjoy a memorable morning of music, movement, and community by the sea.
- Workshop | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | The Hive
- Workshop | 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Ali Arts Center
- Competition Prelims | 7:30 – 9:45 PM | Ali Arts Center & The Hive
The competition continues with the last day of prelims to determine which top 20 poets advance to the semi-finals. Across two venues, expect unforgettable performances, fierce competition, and the electric energy that has made Exit 36 one of the country's premier slam poetry festivals.
- Exit 36 After Dark | 10:00 – 11:00 PM | Ali Courtyard
A late-night culture lounge where poetry, music, and nightlife collide. Poets freestyle over live DJ beats while featured artists jump in, creating a fluid mix of Afrobeat, R&B, hip-hop, and spoken word. This is not a competition or open mic, it's a curated space to sip cocktails, connect, and vibe with artists and community in an elevated, electric atmosphere. Come for the sound, stay for the culture.
Kickback: Since You Here Anyway Slam | 11:30 – 2am | Bojo’s Seafood Kitchen
When the official schedule ends, the real showdown begins. Since You Here Anyway Slam is Exit 36's exclusive after-hours, underground poetry competition where participating poets put their own money on the line for a winner-take-all cash prize. In this fast-paced, head-to-head format, every round is do-or-die as poets battle for bragging rights, the entire prize pool, and an automatic invitation to compete in next year's Exit 36 Slam Poetry Festival. Raw, intimate, and unpredictable, this late-night event is where competitive fire meets festival camaraderie, and anything can happen.
Day 3 – Saturday December 12 │Pompano Beach Cultural Center
- Semi-Finals: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Pompano Beach Cultural Center
Start your day at the farmer’s market, then stick around for an afternoon of electrifying poetry! Watch as our top 20 poets go head-to-head in a high-energy showdown to earn their spot on the Final Stage.
- Finals: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Pompano Beach Cultural Center
The Top 10 Poets Battle It Out! An unforgettable night of poetry, food trucks, music, a full bar, and nothing but good vibes. Don’t miss this electrifying finale where words, rhythm, and performance collide!
- After Party | 10:00 – 12:00 AM | Pompano Beach Cultural Center
