Events
Five large circus-type tents are erected in downtown Jonesborough, with general admission seating in each tent. Attendees choose which performances they want to attend. Beyond general admission, Ghost Stories, After Hours, Thursday Workshops, and events that happen in a theater require a separate ticket. NOTE: Events that require a separate ticket may occur at the same time as programming in the tents.
Did I Really Do That? with Donald Davis
Join us in the Library Tent for a collection of tales from Donald’s early years—and the laughter and lessons gathered along the way…
Create Your Story: A Writing Workshop with Minton Sparks
Participants will explore the connections between identity, place, and memory…
Collecting and Retelling Family Stories with Hannah Harvey
Discover the art and ethics of collecting and sharing family stories in this interactive workshop.
Funny is a Skill with Paul Strickland
Designed for both beginning and experienced storytellers, this workshop breaks down why stories are funny and how to use humor…
Storytelling 101 with Tim Lowry
Start with the basics in this hands-on workshop for beginning storytellers and anyone looking to apply narrative techniques to communication.
Wine and Beer Garden
Relax in the Afternoon at the Festival’s Wine and Beer Garden, featuring a selection of wines and craft beers available for purchase.Â
Voices of the Blue Ridge with Josh Goforth and Michael Reno Harrell
Honor the Blue Ridge Mountains with our annual Thursday night concert.
Swappin' Ground
Here, anyone can tell a tale – and many do. Stop by and listen, or sign up to tell beginning Thursday at the information booth outside the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
Trials, Tenacity, & Tender Mercies
Join Regina Stoops and Paula Gordon Lepp for this poignant yet uplifting hour, filled with stories and poetry.
A Memoir of 9/11 with Chief (ret.) Joseph Pfeifer
As part of the Legacy Series, ISC is honored to welcome retired FDNY Battalion Chief Joseph Pfeifer for two special appearances commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11.Â
Wine and Beer Garden
Relax in the Afternoon at the Festival’s Wine and Beer Garden, featuring a selection of wines and craft beers available for purchase.Â
Exchange Place
Hear this specially-invited showcase of tellers – a revered Festival tradition.
Ghost Stories
A long-standing Festival tradition, two nights of terror await you in these open-air ghost story concerts.
After Hours
Minton Sparks fuses an intoxicating gift for storytelling with wildly original poetry in performances that paint vivid images of being raised in and around the rural South.
Yoga in Park
Deborah Byrd is an RYT200 certified yoga instructor whose main practice and training are in vinyasa, yin, and hatha styles.
Swappin' Ground
Here, anyone can tell a tale – and many do. Stop by and listen, or sign up to tell beginning Thursday at the information booth outside the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
The Long Road Home with Kevin Kling
Kevin Kling takes us on a modern-day journey through the mythic and wonderfully strange territory of being human.
A Memoir of 9/11 with Chief (ret.) Joseph Pfeifer
Schoolhouse Stories
Enjoy stories from these amazing tellers, especially for ages 6–10. Then, weather permitting, play some old-time games like
students 100 years ago.
Campfireball: Storytelling in Reverse
Award-winning storyteller, performer, and producer Cory Howard creates an immersive storytelling experience built entirely around the audience.Â
S Is for Story, S Is for Sacred: Storytelling Studio with Elizabeth Ellis
Is all story sacred? A conversation about the profound nature of storytelling and its extraordinary effect on us as human beings.
Swappin' Ground
Here, anyone can tell a tale – and many do. Stop by and listen, or sign up to tell beginning Thursday at the information booth outside the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
Wine and Beer Garden
Relax in the Afternoon at the Festival’s Wine and Beer Garden, featuring a selection of wines and craft beers available for purchase.
AN ILIAD with Bill Harley
A contemporary retelling of Homer’s Trojan War epic – poetry, humor, an ancient tale, and the modern world collide in this powerful storytelling experience.Â
Story Slam
Join the fun as these Story Slam tellers compete for the best 5-minute story! Content suitable for a general audience ages 12 and up. Â
Ghost Stories
A long-standing Festival tradition, two nights of terror await you in these open-air ghost story concerts.
After Hours
Minton Sparks fuses an intoxicating gift for storytelling with wildly original poetry in performances that paint vivid images of being raised in and around the rural South.
Yoga in Park
Deborah Byrd is an RYT200 certified yoga instructor whose main practice and training are in vinyasa, yin, and hatha styles.
Trials, Tenacity, & Tender Mercies
Join Regina Stoops and Paula Gordon Lepp for this poignant yet uplifting hour, filled with stories and poetry (no singing, we promise) about the grit, grace, and gratitude of living with a cancer diagnosis.
A Few More Relatives - A Storytelling Studio with Donald Davis
You meet a lot of family members in Donald’s stories. Let’s meet some of the unknown ones and maybe find out why they have been in hiding.
Swappin' Ground
Here, anyone can tell a tale – and many do. Stop by and listen, or sign up to tell beginning Thursday at the information booth outside the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
An Afternoon with Eliza Hamilton
Celebrate America’s 250th with acclaimed storyteller Megan Wells as she brings Eliza Hamilton to life.Â