Hayward Lit Hop 2025

We're coming back to Hayward's downtown this year, Saturday, April 27th from 2-8 pm on Independent Bookstore Day and National Poetry Month. The event was conceived and organized by a group of literary-minded volunteer community members and is free for all ages.

We will post a detailed schedule and you can view a video from last year's event at https://haywardlithop.com/ We'll begin at 2 pm at Heritage Plaza, a park across the street from the Downtown Hayward Public Library, with a welcome from Hayward local civic and literary leaders and a musical performance from the East Bay Symphonic Band.

This year we'll have readings from Hayward's poet laureate Leticia Guzman and some students of hers from Ochoa Elementary, from Hayward's past poet laureate Bruce Roberts, and youth laureates Ellie Bleharski and Fern Biswas.

Everyone will then hop through venues down B and C streets to attend any three of up to 15 literary readings from local groups.

More information at haywardlithop.com and the official schedule will be coming soon!

So far, we have these groups lined up to read: the California Writers’ Club Berkeley Chapter, the AfroSurreal Writers Workshop of Oakland, the Mystery Writers of America's local chapter, the Horror Writers of America's local chapter, Women Who Submit, Francisco Zermeno’s Spanish/English bilingual Chabot College readers, Cal State East Bay's student literary club, the Bay Area Queer Writers Association (BAQWA), the SF chapter of the Women's National Book Association (WNBA), the East Bay Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers (EBSFFW), the California College of the Arts, Past and Present, a workshop called "Dear Diary" and our annual open mic!

Venues on board include Books on B, the historic Odd Fellows Lounge, Treasures Unleashed, the World Famous Turf Club, Kin Cafe, and the Sun Gallery.

At the end, everyone will congregate at the Sun Gallery for an afterparty with more music and food from local restaurants!

This event aims to support local businesses, celebrate Hayward's diverse cultural scene, and allow people to meet their neighbors and see each other's talents. Also, to help people with an interest in writing or art find local groups to support and foster their talents.

Also check out other Arts events in Hayward, Literary Art events in Hayward, Workshops in Hayward.