Official site of Yerba Buena Gardens Festival

Free outdoor performing arts in downtown San Francisco

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Poetic Tuesdays

Credit: Alice Lin

Poetic Tuesdays bring lyrical joy to Yerba Buena Gardens with performances from the Bay Area’s most talented poets and musicians.

Jump to Poetic Tuesday Calendar

A fabulously curated line-up of poets and musicians grace Yerba Buena Gardens to share poems and songs that delight, provoke, stir and inspire. Poetic Tuesdays make for a lovely lunch. Downtown office workers, neighborhood groups, students and even out-of-towners needing downtime from the city’s hustle and bustle come down to the Gardens. Poetic Tuesdays are the perfect midday breather over line breaks.

What people are saying about Poetic Tuesdays…

  • Art is SO powerful. Grateful that my trip could begin with this little bit of magic!
  • Everyone is amazing, such a wonderful event!
  • Thank you for organizing! Free experiences that promote the arts improve community, diversity and inclusion in San Francisco.

Check out all of the incredible artists performing at upcoming Poetic Tuesdays listed below.

Mark your calendars and make your Tuesdays FREE, OUTDOORS, and FRESH!

What to expect at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival…

The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival occurs each year from May through October in downtown San Francisco. As always, these excellent performances are FREE, outdoors, and ADA-accessible to be enjoyed by all. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival features open-air lawn seating. Please be dressed for San Francisco weather – chair seating is limited, but picnics and low-lawn chairs are welcome. For Park Rules and Regulations, please refer to Yerba Buena Gardens Management’s website.

Poetic Tuesdays readings begin promptly at 12:30pm (unless noted otherwise), so plan ahead and arrive early! Performances are approximately 60 minutes long, at Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission Street between Third and Fourth Streets, San Francisco. Yerba Buena Gardens is conveniently located near Montgomery & Powell BART stations, and several MUNI lines. See detailed information on the Visitor Map.

Looking for a yummy place to eat or a museum to explore? Find out more on the Visitor Information page.

Poetic Tuesdays Calendar

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Latest Past Programs

Aug 19 2025
Collage of headshot photos of Camellia Boutros, mukethe kawinzi, Damneed Kuar, Kaylan Black, Jamey Williams
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 12:30pm – 1:30pm

Poetic Tuesday

Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts., San Francisco

Sharing works that delight, provoke, inspire and rouse, the Poetic Tuesdays series turns lunchtime into an oasis of creative expression. Lighting up Jessie Square with a fabulously curated line-up of […]

Free
Aug 16 2025
Nia Pearl wearing a black and white top, head leaning slightly on her hand, in front of a sepia-toned mural wall
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Poetry Workshop with Nia Pearl

Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts., San Francisco

Join Nia Pearl for one-of-a-kind outdoor poetry workshops inspired by the physical environment of Yerba Buena Gardens. Participants are led through hands-on writing activities centered on observing, reflecting and writing […]

Free
Jul 26 2025
Nia Pearl wearing a black and white top, head leaning slightly on her hand, in front of a sepia-toned mural wall
Sat, Jul 26, 2025, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Poetry Workshop with Nia Pearl

Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts., San Francisco

Free RSVP Join Nia Pearl for one-of-a-kind outdoor poetry workshops inspired by the physical environment of Yerba Buena Gardens. Participants are led through hands-on writing activities centered on observing, reflecting […]

Free
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A guest on traditional, unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Land.
VENUE: Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between 3rd and 4th Sts., San Francisco
OFFICE: Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, 760 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94103
PHONE: (415) 543-1718

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