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Hastings Storytelling Festival 2026

Various venues across Hastings, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1ET
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Tel01424 733132

Promotional artwork for Hastings Storytelling Festival 2026 featuring event programme pages and illustrated characters.

About

Hastings Storytelling Festival returns from 17–25 October with the theme Connections, celebrating imagination, creativity and the power of shared stories. Across nine days, venues, libraries, schools and public spaces will come alive with performances, author talks, music, puppetry and family events for all ages.

Families can enjoy Piers Torday's brand new story Books According to Dog and Owl, meet award winning Syrian author Nadine Kaadan, hear live readings from Festival Patron Thomas Taylor and join Axel Scheffler at the White Rock Theatre for Gruffalo Stories with Gruffalo Granny, featuring live illustration and a book signing. Our free Children's Day returns with a Gruffalo themed parade, puppetry, music, walkabout performers and high energy shows from CBeebies Pirate Gem and Long Nose Puppets.

The adult programme offers moving, thought provoking and uplifting events, including Bev Lee Harling's intimate show Things I Know and Things I Don't, bestselling author Dorothy Koomson discussing her gripping new thriller The Quiet Girls, and poet Zena Edwards exploring environmental poetics and resilience. At the White Rock Theatre, audiences can try haptic vests during an uplifting live music session from Sarah Jane Morris and Trio, before Deaf Rave take over with a high energy drum and bass experience.

A vibrant, inclusive festival for our whole community. Explore the full programme online.

Book Tickets

Map & Directions

Opening Times

Season (17 Oct 2026 - 25 Oct 2026)
Monday - SundayOpen

Related

Exterior of Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, a red-brick building set in gardens with trees and picnic benches.Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, HastingsVisit Hastings’ family-friendly and diverse Museum and Art Gallery for an exploration of art, heritage and history from around the world.

White Rock Theatre exterior lit at night with colourful lights and visitors gathered outside entrance.Hastings White Rock Theatre, HastingsHome to the best live entertainment in East Sussex.

Exterior of The Stables Theatre, Hastings, a brick-built arts venue framed by colourful flower beds.The Stables Theatre, HastingsA Theatre and Arts Centre in Hastings' Old Town. The theatre is open all year round and hosts a mix of plays, live music & performances. Please see our website for current listings.

18 Hours, Rother18 Hours is an established local events production company driven by a passion for fostering global understanding through events, education, and research.

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