What a great lineup! Take advantage of our early bird discount and receive 10% off! Purchase by June 1, 2025.

FESTIVAL DATES: OCTOBER 23–25, 2025
Storytelling is not stand-up comedy, but it has some similarities—namely lots of laughs! Take a seat in the tent and settle in to enjoy internationally-renowned storytellers, award-winning liers, and world-class musicians.. Storytelling is more than just entertainment, though. Some tellers specialize in spinning personal memories into poignant moments that inspire us to share our own experiences with our loved ones. Through stories we share inspiration. We share fortitude. We share perseverence. We share love. We share our own histories. Performances open to the public Thursday evening, Oct 23, and all day Friday and Saturday, Oct 24–25, 2025.

FEATURING our original lineup from 19 years ago!!
DONALD DAVIS, BIL LEPP, CARMEN DEEDY, AND ANDY OFFUTT IRWIN (YAY!) (we’re sure Kathryn Tucker Windham will be with us in spirit)

2025 Tickets

Athens Storytelling Festival provides a variety of ticketing options to fit your schedule. Purchase tickets online now through the end of the year and receive $30 off Whole Shebang and Full Weekend tickets!
2025 Storytelling Gift Shop Hours:
Tuesday, Oct 21: 5:30–7:30pm
Thursday, Oct 23: 6:00–9:30pm
Friday, Oct 24: 8:00am–9:45pm
Saturday, Oct 25: 8:00am–7:30pm

Dining Options

Thanks so much to our 2024 dining options! Cafe 1822, the restaurant in the ASU Sandridge Hall Student Center, had sit-down meals we all enjoyed. Check back closer to time next year for an update on food truck options.

We have allowed plenty of time during breaks for the short walk (or drive) 5 blocks away to historic downtown Athens. Enjoy Village Pizza, Sweetest Things Tearoom, Lucia’s Mexican Cantina, Wildwood Deli, Athens Alehouse, Ro’s Grille, The Southern Table, The Salty Cod, Mozza Pizza Buffet, and Kreme Delite. Drive a short distance further and check out some good ol’ Athens landmarks—Suzanne’s Bakery, Dub’s Burgers, Whitt’s BBQ, Lawler’s BBQ, Catfish Cabin, Old Black Bear Brewing, Irons & Ales, and our newest beach-inspired pub, Fins Up! The Washington Street Diner is a great option for breakfast, open 6:30-11am. You’ll find more ice cream and snack foods at Limestone Drug as well.

Athens is packed full of fun stuff to do! We have wonderful boutiques, menswear options, gift shops, antiques, formal wear and more dining options every year. Explore the Spirit of Athens website and the Athens/Limetone Tourism site for an overview of everything historic Athens has to offer!

Did you know? Athens Storytelling Festival is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization dedicated to preserving the fine art of storytelling alive and well among the schoolkids of north Alabama. We believe storytelling is vital to classroom attention, learning, and communication. Your donations help us provde free field trips to see world-renowned ‘tellers during the festival for area schoolchildren and fund other events for families and educators.

All images are used with permission from the photographers Dan Binkley and Elles Photography.

Special Thanks to Our Legislators!

Storytelling is a vital part of education and we are thrilled to bring the best in the country to area schoolchildren free of charge.

Senator Tim Melson
Senate District 1

Senator Tom Butler
Senate District 2

Senator Arthur Orr
Senate District 3

Senator Larry Stutts
Senate District 6

Representative Ben Harrison
House District 2

Representative Parker Moore
House District 4

Representative Danny Crawford
House District 5

Representative Andy Whitt
House District 6

Representative Phillip Rigsby
House District 25

Thanks to Athens State University in recognition of the importance of storytelling to all aspects of life.

Accomodations

The Official Hotels for 2024 Athens Storytelling Festival! The Omega Group features these affordable options for your Storytelling Festival Lodging: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Fairfield by Marriott and Best Western. These Athens, AL hotels are conveniently located near Highway 72 and Interstate 65, just 3 miles from the Storytelling Tent at Athens State University.

Sponsors

Thanks to the following sponsors and donors who do so much to support our festival!

Thanks to our Donors

Belle Chevre

Crawford’s Gifts

Davis and Cole, LLP

Pam Edmonds

Flanagan Lumber

Local People’s Gas

Lowes

The Omega Group
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Athens I-65

Pimentos

Sheer Pleasures Soapworks

Trinity’s of Athens

Mindvolt

U.G. White

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.