Bay Area Storytelling Festival
20-21 June 2025
In 2025 the 34th Bay Area Storytelling Festival will be once again held at the beautiful Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa, California. With sweeping views of the surrounding hills and a new, state-of-the-art 350-seat theater, it's the perfect location to gather as a storytelling community. In the heart of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa provides the perfect setting for a storytelling weekend adventure.
Become a Festival Sponsor
Please consider becoming a Festival Sponsor. There are several levels available from $500 to $5000.
To find out more, email: bayareastoryfest@gmail.com. Thank you.
Submit a Teller Application
Click HERE for information about how to submit a teller application.
If you have any questions regarding ticketing or sponsorship, please email us at bayareastoryfest@gmail.com
"Once upon a time, in the land of hills and water and bridges, there lived a band of local folk who loved storytelling. They loved to hear tales told and to tell tales of their own. This society of storytellers traveled far and wide to gather together with the multitudes and be regaled with stories of all kinds.
One day, an idea was hatched. Why not bring the stories to their very own shire? Their land was pleasing to the eye and had many who would enjoy hearing and telling stories. And so it began, a Festival in the West, a gathering that grew and grew. What started as a day grew to three and what began as a first became thirty Festivals over many, many years. Word spread of the event and soon crowds from throughout the land, from all directions, came to hear and to learn from the greatest of the bards.
The society of storytellers was pleased as the festival grew beyond their wildest dreams. But, alas, the society eventually grew weary, as the festival required the work of many and at times there were only a few. There came a day when the festival bid adieu to the land of hills and water and bridges. The group was pleased with what they had done,but could no longer carry the torch onward.
Then, darkness fell upon the land and the people were made to stay in their homes, to cover their faces and could gather together o more. Stories were still told, but tellers were distant and spoke to the people from small windows, while the folk sat in their homes. This went on for some time and the people grew restless. Slowly, after a year and many months, the darkness started to lift. The folk ventured out of their abodes and the tellers stepped out of their rectangular confinement.
It was at this moment, while caught up in the joy of the fading darkness, that a certain storytelling lass decreed, “Let us bring back the festival!” The cry was echoed throughout the land and soon plans were afoot to once again assemble in the West. It was decided to gather in the spring, at a manor in the village known as Santa Rosa.
And so the story continues..."