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Eatonville Today
By the People, for the People
Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival Coming to Orlando in 2026
The annual event will bring over 200 poets to Central Florida for a five-day celebration of spoken word and community.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:20pm
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The Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival's arrival in Orlando will bring a citywide celebration of spoken word, storytelling, and artistic expression.Eatonville TodayThe 34th Annual Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival, one of the largest spoken word events in the country, is coming to Orlando for the first time from June 9-13, 2026. The five-day festival will feature over 200 poets competing in slams and performing at venues across Orlando and the historic town of Eatonville, creating a citywide cultural experience.
Why it matters
Hosting the Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival positions Orlando as a national arts destination, bringing hundreds of performers and visitors to the region and highlighting the growing local spoken word scene. It's part of a broader effort by the Literary Arts Council of Central Florida to elevate the creative ecosystem in the area.
The details
The festival will feature 32 competitive poetry slam teams and 32 individual competitors vying for cash prizes and national recognition. In addition to the competitions, there will be open mic nights, workshops, specialty events like a 'Nerd Slam' and 'LGBTQ+ Open Mic', and a grand finale championship event hosted at the Orlando Museum of Art. The festival will also include an opening tribute event in Eatonville honoring author Zora Neale Hurston.
- The Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival will take place June 9-13, 2026.
- The opening 'ReviveZora' event will be held in Eatonville.
The players
Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival
One of the largest spoken word events in the United States, traveling to a new Southeastern city each year.
Literary Arts Council of Central Florida
A local organization leading efforts to elevate the creative ecosystem and position Orlando as a national arts destination.
What’s next
Tickets for select events at the Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival will go on sale in early 2026. The full schedule of programming and participating venues will be announced in the coming months.
The takeaway
The Southern Fried Poetry Slam Festival's arrival in Orlando represents a significant opportunity to showcase the city's vibrant arts and culture scene, engage the local community, and inspire the next generation of spoken word artists and creative innovators.
