Hastings Storytelling Festival

Nine days of storytelling across Hastings and St Leonards, with events for adults and children in venues around the town. Programme includes Axel Scheffler at the White Rock Theatre, Bev Lee Harling at the Stables Theatre, and a free-roaming Children’s Day on the Stade.

Welcome to Hastings Storytelling Festival 2026. This October we celebrate with the theme ‘Connections’, bringing imaginative tales to life in schools, venues and public spaces across our town.

Families can enjoy Piers Torday’s new story Books According to Dog and Owl, meet award‑winning author Nadine Kaadan, hear live readings from Thomas Taylor and join Festival Patron Axel Scheffler for Gruffalo Stories with Gruffalo Granny at the White Rock Theatre. Children’s Day returns with a Gruffalo‑themed parade, puppetry, music, walkabout performers and not‑to‑be‑missed shows from CBeebies Pirate Gem and Long Nose Puppets.

Our adult programme features moving new work, gripping conversations and uplifting live performance, including Bev Lee Harling’s Things I Know and Things I Don’t, Dorothy Koomson discussing her new thriller The Quiet Girls, Zena Edwards exploring environmental poetics, Kate Corkery sharing Irish folklore and an immersive evening with Sarah Jane Morris, Trio and Deaf Rave.

With thanks to our sponsors, supporters and partners who help to keep the festival thriving and accessible for our community.