Scottish International Storytelling Festival
-
Start date
October 21, 2026 9:00 am
-
End date
October 31, 2026
-
Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival returns to Edinburgh from 21 to 31 October 2026, bringing live storytelling, music, performance and traditional arts to the city.
The 2026 festival theme is Bird and Beast, with events exploring the relationship between people, animals, birds, nature and the stories we tell about them.
Key Event Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Scottish International Storytelling Festival |
| Dates | 21 to 31 October 2026 |
| Main venue | Scottish Storytelling Centre |
| Location | High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh |
| Theme | Bird and Beast |
| Tickets | Programme and ticket details TBC |
| Official site | https://www.sisf.org.uk/ |
What To Expect
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is one of Edinburgh’s major annual festivals and a key autumn event in the city’s cultural calendar.
The programme usually includes live storytelling, music, talks, workshops, family events and community gatherings. Many events take place at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile, with some activity also held in other venues across Edinburgh and Scotland.
The festival focuses on traditional storytelling, but it isn’t stuck in the past. Expect a mix of folklore, contemporary stories, spoken word, music and performances rooted in different cultures.
2026 Theme: Bird and Beast
The 2026 theme is Bird and Beast.
The festival says this year’s programme will explore relationships between storytelling and the natural environment, including links between humans, birds and the animal world.
That should give the festival a strong seasonal feel. Late October also puts it close to Halloween and Samhuinn, when darker folk tales, myths and winter stories tend to fit Edinburgh rather well.
Tickets & Entry
The full 2026 programme and ticket details have not yet been published.
Some events are usually ticketed, while others may be free or donation-based. Check the official festival website before planning your visit, especially once the full programme is released.
Official festival site:
https://www.sisf.org.uk/
Location
The main hub is the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile.
The venue sits beside John Knox House, close to the Canongate, St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh Waverley and the Old Town. It’s a useful central location if you’re planning a wider day out in Edinburgh.
Getting There
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is around a 10-minute walk from Waverley Station.
Lothian Buses stop nearby on North Bridge, South Bridge and the Royal Mile. Parking is limited in the Old Town, so public transport or walking is usually the better option.
Our Tips
- Check the full programme once it goes live, as smaller sessions can fill quickly.
- Look out for family-friendly events if you’re visiting during the October school break.
- Combine it with nearby Old Town stops such as St Giles’ Cathedral, the Museum of Childhood or the National Museum of Scotland.
- Book ahead for evening events, workshops and headline storytellers.
Sources
Official Scottish International Storytelling Festival website:
https://www.sisf.org.uk/
Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2026 proposal announcement:
https://www.sisf.org.uk/news-post/newsid/26955-scottish-international-storytelling-festival-2026-invitation-for-storytelling-proposals/