Writers Rejoice: 7 Wild Storytelling Festivals You Gotta Hit in 2025

Table of Contents (eh, just skim if you want)

1. Marrakech International Storytelling Festival
1. Ojai Storytelling FestivalNational Storytelling FestivalWRITE Festival, South TynesideWoodstock BookfestBrimbank Writers & Readers Festival
1. Savannah Book Festival

Intro

Writers, listen up—2025 is basically shaping up to be the year of the storytelling festival. And apparently, people are obsessed—Pinterest says searches for “storytelling events” blew up by 85% last year. (Who knew, right?) If you’re itching for inspiration or just want to geek out with fellow word nerds, these seven festivals are where the action’s at. I poked around Kotobee.com, saw what’s trending on X (the app formerly known as Twitter—honestly, what a name change), and crammed all the juiciest stuff in here. Let’s get weird and wordy.

Marrakech International Storytelling Festival

So, Marrakech, Morocco. Picture it: lanterns, storytellers from all over, and this year’s theme is “Bahja” (which means “joy”—fitting, yeah?). @WorldStoryCafe keeps hyping the fact that 80+ storytellers show up. There’s even a free app so you don’t get lost in the souks. Pinterest is basically a mood board for this event, with all those colorful festival shots. If you want culture, sunshine, and stories for days, this is the place.

Ojai Storytelling Festival

Ojai, California—think palm trees, creative types, and the Ojai Storytelling Festival happening from October 30 to November 2, 2025. All ages, all vibes. @OjaiStoryFest is always shouting out folks like Regi Carpenter and Paul Strickland. Apparently, three-quarters of festival goers jump into interactive sessions, so it’s not just sit-and-listen. Pinterest’s got family hacks for this fest, so bring your squad. Writers, pack your notebooks, you’ll need ’em.

National Storytelling Festival

If you’re a sucker for tradition, Jonesborough, Tennessee is where you wanna be October 3–5. The National Storytelling Festival is kinda legendary. Sheila Arnold’s a regular, and @StorytellingFest hypes her up on X. Eighty percent of folks actually return—so, yeah, it’s that good. Tents everywhere, stories flying, and Pinterest will help you plan your schedule (so you don’t get FOMO). Basically, it’s storytelling Disneyland for grownups.

WRITE Festival, South Tyneside

If you’re across the pond, the WRITE Festival in South Tyneside, UK, is pretty underrated (August–September, mark your calendars). @TheWord_UK pushes cool workshops at The Word and all the local libraries. Seven out of ten people discover a new author, which is wild. Pinterest is full of UK literary festival guides, so you won’t be flying blind. If you wanna meet poets and writers who aren’t just chasing trends, this is your jam.

Woodstock Bookfest

Woodstock, NY. No, not the mud-soaked music fest—this is for the book lovers. Woodstock Bookfest, happening spring 2025, is all about story slams, panels, and that random, magical energy you only get in artsy towns. @WoodstockBook is always shouting out their crazy diverse lineup. Sixty-five percent of attendees join workshops (so, get ready to make friends). Pinterest? Full of tips for nailing your story slam. If you want a retreat that’s more “let’s do this” than “let’s just look,” you’re set.

Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival

Australia, represent! The Brimbank Writers & Readers Festival is ten days of free workshops, author talks, and enough bookish events to make your head spin (March 2025, save the date). @BrimbankCouncil is all about that diversity, and apparently 80% of visitors are loving it. Pinterest has the full play-by-play, so you won’t miss anything. If you’re down under and want to swap stories with a truly mixed crowd, look no further.

Savannah Book Festival

Savannah’s got that old-school charm, and the Savannah Book Festival (Feb 6–9) brings it hard—with 40+ authors camped out in historic squares. @SavBookFest can’t stop talking about the free Saturday author talks (who doesn’t love free stuff?). According to ProlificWriters.life, 85% of folks actually connect with other writers, which is, honestly, pretty rare for a big fest. There’s a Pinterest map for every venue, so you won’t get lost in those pretty streets. Bookworms, this one’s calling your name.

Wrap-up

There you go—seven storytelling festivals, and every last one’s got its own flavor. Marrakech, Ojai, National, WRITE, Woodstock, Brimbank, Savannah—pick one or go wild and hit a couple. Each one’s buzzing on Pinterest, and Kotobee.com’s got the stats to back it up. Workshops, performances, new friends, and a ridiculous amount of inspiration. Honestly, what are you waiting for? Go make some stories.