Storymoja Festival

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Arts & CultureNairobi
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsThe festival's dedicated Schools Days
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: KES
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Storymoja Festival in Nairobi

A multi-day celebration of books, storytelling and ideas at the Nairobi National Museum, tracing back to a single 2008 storytelling gathering before partnering with the UK's Hay Festival in 2009 to become the Storymoja Hay Festival. The roughly five-day programme mixes author readings, live discussions, poetry, music and workshops, with a strong Schools Days component connecting young people directly with authors.

Storymoja Festival is a multi-day celebration of books, storytelling and ideas held at the Nairobi National Museum, tracing its origins to a single Storymoja Nyama Choma storytelling gathering held on December 2, 2008.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's dedicated Schools Days programming, designed specifically to inspire young people to think and write creatively while meeting published authors directly, distinguishes it from adult-only literary events and reflects a genuine long-term investment in Kenya's next generation of readers and writers

02

The mystery stays covered

Its 2009 partnership with the UK's Hay Festival brought international literary festival infrastructure and author networks into what began as a homegrown Kenyan storytelling gathering, helping it grow into one of East Africa's most significant literary events

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Schools Days connecting young readers directly with published authors

Water and renewal

Living ritual

live storytelling performances

The sacred route

Living ritual

and new book launches featuring dramatized readings are the festival's most consistent recurring elements each edition

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Storymoja Festival, plan transport around the exact Nairobi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable clothing suits most sessions at the museum grounds; a light layer helps for shaded outdoor areas, and no particularly formal dress is expected even at author events.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Storymoja Festival, stay near the part of Nairobi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

KES

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map1.28 S, 36.82 EOpen in Google Maps

Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Nearest airportNBO — Jomo Kenyatta
TransportFor Storymoja Festival, plan transport around the exact Nairobi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Storymoja Festival, stay near the part of Nairobi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Nairobi via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Nairobi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable clothing suits most sessions at the museum grounds; a light layer helps for shaded outdoor areas, and no particularly formal dress is expected even at author events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Kenya and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Storymoja Festival?

Storymoja Festival is listed for September. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Storymoja Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Nairobi, Kenya. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLstorymojafestival.co.ke
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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