Tell 'em Festival 2026

Tell 'em Festival 2026 runs from 11 November 2026 to 13 November 2026. Venue: Rotterdam.

Tell 'em is Rotterdam's international spoken word festival, produced by Stichting Spraakuhloos. For three days, poets, musicians and storytellers from around the world take the stage in Rotterdam's spoken word capital. The festival brings stories to life in the broadest sense of the word: slam poetry, open jams, live music and performances that move between spoken word, hip-hop and theatre. The 2026 edition takes place from 11 to 13 November 2026 at the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre on the Wilhelminapier in Rotterdam, in Café Dox and the Rijnfoyer. At the heart of the festival is the International Poetry Slam. Poets from different countries compete in two semi-finals on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, the best voices meet in the Grand Final, followed by the announcement of the winner. Every evening opens with an open jam or open mic with live music, so new voices share the stage with international champions. Headliners in 2026: - King Yaw (USA/Ghana), World Poetry Slam Champion 2025 - Yastricia (Brazil), Continental Champion Abya Yala 2026 - Jonzi D (UK), founder of Breaking Convention, in a special collaboration with Breaking Convention - Oumaima Yahiaoui (Netherlands), Youth City Poet of Rotterdam.