Chi Teen Lit Fest

The Chi Teen Lit Fest aims to provide a safe and creative space for young adults to unlock and discover their unique voice through literary arts. The Fest seeks to bring together young people from across Chicago and celebrate their talents as they express themselves through exceptional and honest art.

This is a teens only event, for ages 13–19 years old. Not a teen? Sign up to volunteer here.

Selected Schedule:

Friday, Apr 15, 6:00PM–10:00PM
Kickoff Party at Harold Washington Library’s Winter Garden

• Food, music, DJ, meet and greet with headliners and other teens

Saturday, Apr 16, 11:00AM–4:00PM
Workshops, Panel Discussions, and Performances

• Teen Open Door Reading: Kenyatta Rogers from ChiArts and Peter Kahn from Oak Park River Forest High School read with students from their respective schools.
  2:30 PM, 600 South Michigan Avenue, Ferguson Theater
• Workshop with Erika L. Sanchez 
  12:00 PM, 624 South Michigan Avenue, Room TBD
• Headliner Panel with Rhymefest, Nambi Kelley, and Erika L. Sanchez
  3:00 PM, 618 South Michigan Avenue, Stage 2

For a complete list of performers and programs, please vist the festival's website. Teens can register for the festival here. Volunteers can register here.

ChiTeen Lit Fest is supported by the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Hive Chicago Fund for Connected Learning through the Chicago Community Trust.

See all Poetry Foundation events