National Storytelling Festival

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Arts & CultureJonesborough
Dates2–4 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsWhat sets this festival apart is its origin
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough

The National Storytelling Festival is a three-day storytelling event held the first full weekend of October in Jonesborough, Tennessee, the state's oldest town. Founded in 1973 by former journalism teacher Jimmy Neil Smith, it is produced today by the International Storytelling Center. Storytellers perform under circus-style tents scattered through the historic downtown, drawing tellers and audiences from across the United States and abroad.

The National Storytelling Festival traces its origin to a single radio broadcast.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets this festival apart is its origin story: Smith was inspired after hearing Grand Ole Opry regular Jerry Clower spin a coon-hunting tale on the radio, and in 1973 he staged the first gathering on hay bales and wagons for an audience of barely sixty people

02

The mystery stays covered

Five decades later it draws roughly 11,000 attendees to five or six circus tents clustered through Jonesborough's historic downtown streets, each holding simultaneous performances so visitors can wander between tellers

03

The city starts moving

Past performers include folk icon Pete Seeger, Carmen Agra Deedy, and Kathryn Tucker Windham, and the festival helped spark a graduate storytelling program at nearby East Tennessee State University

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's defining ritual is the tent-hopping format itself: storytellers perform in the round under big-top-style tents with no amplification tricks or props beyond a stool and their voice

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a format largely unchanged since the earliest hay-bale gatherings

The sacred route

Living ritual

The after-dark Ghost Stories session

The local code

Living ritual

told with the tent lights dimmed

Tradition 5

Living ritual

has become a beloved standalone tradition

Tradition 6

Living ritual

as has the informal custom of festival-goers returning to the same tents and even the same seats year after year

Tradition 7

Living ritual

often arriving early with blankets to claim a spot

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

2–4 October 2026

Getting around

For National Storytelling Festival, plan transport around the exact Jonesborough venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Early October in Jonesborough is typically mild by day and cool by evening, so most attendees dress casually in layers: a t-shirt or light sweater with a jacket for morning and night...

Safety

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

Where to stay

For National Storytelling Festival, stay near the part of Jonesborough 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

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.84 N, 90.70 WOpen in Google Maps

Jonesborough, TN

Nearest airportMEM — Memphis
TransportFor National Storytelling Festival, plan transport around the exact Jonesborough venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor National Storytelling Festival, stay near the part of Jonesborough 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 Jonesborough via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Jonesborough, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearEarly October in Jonesborough is typically mild by day and cool by evening, so most attendees dress casually in layers: a t-shirt or light sweater with a jacket for morning and night. Comfortable walking shoes are essential since the festival covers several blocks of downtown, and low-back or folding lawn chairs are common since bleacher seating inside the tents is limited.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States 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 National Storytelling Festival?

National Storytelling Festival is listed for 2–4 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does National Storytelling Festival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

3 days 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?

Jonesborough, TN

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 URLstorytellingcenter.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates2–4 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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