The 16th Annual San Diego Storytelling Festival Comes to Coronado

The Storytellers of San Diego and the Coronado Public Library are hosting the 16th annual San Diego Storytelling Festival, a free all-day community celebration of the oral tradition.

This year’s theme is “Light in the Dark,” gathering storytellers and audiences at the Coronado Public Library to share tales of hope, resilience, and the spark of illumination found in challenging times.

From timeless folktales to contemporary spoken word, the day is packed with live performances that remind us why storytelling has been at the heart of human connection forever.

A Full Day of Stories for All Ages

The festival runs from morning to late afternoon and welcomes audiences of all ages. Throughout the day, you can catch captivating performances, open-mic sessions where new voices emerge, and a debut showcase from the Storytelling Institute.

The adventure culminates with the annual story concert celebrating the standing theme Voices at the Water’s Edge, which brings the day to a fitting close in one of San Diego’s most beautiful coastal settings.

Where Old Traditions Meet New Voices

What makes this festival special is the mix of established storytellers and fresh voices sharing the same stage. Open-mic sessions give emerging storytellers a chance to step up and share their stories alongside seasoned performers, creating an atmosphere that feels genuinely inclusive and community-driven.

Whether you’re drawn to folk tales, personal narratives, or spoken word, there’s something throughout the day that will pull you in.

See you there!

The San Diego Storytelling Festival proves that in a world full of screens and scrolling, there’s still something powerful about a person standing up and telling a story out loud.

📆 Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 AM – 6 PM
📍 640 Orange Ave, Coronado
🎟️ Free Event
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!