5th Annual

Hayward Lit Hop

Saturday April 25, 2026

2pm - 8pm

A Literary Hop through Downtown Hayward!

Showcasing a variety of local writers' groups performing at various venues.
All ages are welcome. Free and Open to the Public.

RSVP optional.

Saturday April 25, 2026

Event begins at the Downtown Hayward Library Heritage Plaza.

835 C Street, Hayward CA

Just a short hop from Downtown Hayward BART!

Schedule

2pm - East Bay Symphonic Band

3pm - Kickoff with Mayor & New Poet Laureates

4pm - Lit Hop through Downtown

7pm - After Party at the Sun Gallery

Lit Hop
frog and mic

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Video from Lit Hop 2022

Full Schedule

2:00 - 3:30 PM

Hayward Lit Hop - Kickoff!

Heritage Plaza - 835 C Street

Listen to performances by the East Bay Symphonic Band, Mayor Salinas announces Hayward's new poet laureate, followed by poetry from Leticia Guzman, Ahtziry Ulloa, Anika Mangla, Gr Keer, Landon Smith, Bruce Roberts, and our new poet laureate!

4:00 - 4:45 PM

Open Mic

The World Famous Turf Club - 22519 Main St

Writers of all genres, come by and share a piece or two. No need to pre-register - just drop by! (21+ ONLY)

Leyendos Con Estudiantes y Familias

Dirty Bird Lounge - 926 B Street

Francisco Zermeño with Chabot College students and family present interesting material, sharing the joys of reading out loud in Spanish and English. Vamos a leer en español.

Tri-City Voice

Storybook - 943 B Street

Journalists from independent newspapers covering the East Bay Area share stories they have crafted.

Big Red Chair

Books on B - 1014 B Street

CSUEB's English + Creative Writing Dept. presents readings from literary magazine Big Red Chair. @bigredchairlitmag.

Senior Scribes

Kin / games - 1019 B Street

Hayward Recreation Senior Writing Class. Seniors share submissions with support, encouragement, and no judgment.

5:00 - 5:45 PM

AfroSurreal Writers Workshop of Oakland

StrayCap Multispace - 948 C Street

A community of Black writers and scholars who write speculative fiction of the African Diaspora.

San Leandro Writers

Dirty Bird Lounge - 926 B Street

Presenting a mix of poetry and prose from a small and diverse group of writers who gather to improve our writing skills.

Mystery Writers of America - NorCal

Odd Fellows Lodge - 950 B Street

Our members will read from their recent mysteries and thrillers.

East Bay Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers

Books on B - 1014 B Street

A group that meets monthly to offer critiques and support to writers in the sci-fi and fantasy genres.

The Word Barre - Oakland

Kin / games - 1019 B Street

We're a community for busy and hibernating women writers who want time, connection and support for writing.

6:00 - 6:45 PM

CA Writers Club - Berkeley

StrayCap Multispace - 948 C Street

Our mission is to educate writers of all abilities in the craft and business of writing and promote fellowship and offer practical information to support all members in achieving their publishing goals.

Homegrown Horrors

Odd Fellows Lodge - 950 B Street

East Bay Area members of the Horror Writers Association read spooky selections from their current and upcoming works.

Women Who Submit Lit

Books on B - 1014 B Street

Women and nonbinary writers share stories and poems of family, joy, challenge, and all aspects of lived experience.

Fremont Area Writers

Kin / games - 1019 B Street

We meet online to help writers at all levels improve their craft. We host monthly write-ins and speakers.

B Street Writers Collective

Sun Gallery - 1015 E Street

BSWC is a collective of writers who share their love of writing and connect for the benefit of all with support, inspiration, readings, publishing and community outreach.

7:00 PM

Lit Hop After Party!

Sun Gallery - 1015 E Street

Come join us for free food & drinks and live music. Come meet the writers you heard read, and relax after the Hop!

Venues
Heritage Plaza

Heritage Plaza

Books On B

Books On B

Turf Club

The World Famous Turf Club

Kin Games

kin / games

Odd Fellows Lodge

Odd Fellows Lodge

Outside Dirty Bird Lounge

Dirty Bird Lounge (outside)

Sun Gallery

Sun Gallery