Edinburgh, Scotland · October 21 to 31, 2026
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
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Scottish International Storytelling Festival
When is Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2026?
Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2026 runs October 21 to 31, 2026.
2026October 21 to 31, 2026Confirmed
2027October 20 to 30, 2027By the calendar
How the dates are set: The festival runs for about two weeks in late October and ends on or close to Halloween; the organizers announce the dates each year.
See every event in October 2026
Source: edinburgh.org
Scottish International Storytelling Festival schedule
- October 21 to 31, 2026: The 2026 festival runs with the theme Bird and Beast, exploring storytelling and the natural world.
- Festival days: The main venue is the Netherbow Theatre at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, with partner venues including Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, National Library of Scotland and Museums & Galleries Edinburgh.
- Across Scotland: The Go Local programme brings storytellers to venues across Scotland.
Sources: edinburgh.org, sisf.online.red61.co.uk
Getting to Scottish International Storytelling Festival
- The Scottish Storytelling Centre is on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Source: edinburgh.org
History of Scottish International Storytelling Festival
The festival was established in 1989 and welcomed 700 attendees in its first year. By 2022, audience numbers had reached 39,862.
Source: edinburgh.org
Scottish International Storytelling Festival: questions people ask
When is the Scottish International Storytelling Festival?
The 2026 festival runs from 21 to 31 October 2026. It runs for just under two weeks each October.
Where is the Scottish International Storytelling Festival held?
The main venue is the Netherbow Theatre at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, with partner venues in the city.
What is the 2026 theme of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival?
The 2026 theme is Bird and Beast, about the relationship between storytelling and the natural world.
Sources: edinburgh.org, sisf.online.red61.co.uk
About Scottish International Storytelling Festival
Eleven days of live storytelling, music and cèilidh circles on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, ending near Halloween.
The festival is based at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile and runs just under two weeks each October. Storytellers from Scotland and around the world share tales, with workshops, tours of the Old Town and family events. It ends on or near Halloween and Samhuinn. A Go Local programme reaches towns across Scotland.
Know before you go
- Dates move each year; the festival ends on or near Halloween.
- The main venue is the Netherbow Theatre at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is about 35 minutes from the city center by tram.
Planning the trip
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