Experience an ancient tradition that lives on in modern times.

We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meaningful opportunities for an underserved audience to engage with the voices of Appalachia through hearing stories and attending workshops that will enable them to develop a cultural intelligence through the arts of listening and speaking.

Mark your calendar!

The 12th annual Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival is coming!

April 10-11, 2026

in-person at The Ridges Resort in Hiawassee, GA and online

Our featured tellers for the 2026 festival will be (left to right in the photos): Antonio Rocha, Connie Regan-Blake, Peter Cook, Lyn Ford, and Gene Tagaban. Click on their names to learn more about them.

We will also showcase the following outstanding voices from across the Southeast who will be telling stories and teaching workshops at the festival.

Tickets: We keep our ticket prices low so that everyone who wants to participate in the festival can. In-person general admission is at most $25 for one day or $40 for two days, and an online viewing ticket is at most $15 for a household or other group. Please see the ticket options for early-bird discounts; discounts for senior citizens, military personnel, and college students; and free tickets for K-12 students and their teachers, individuals with low income, and individuals with disabilities. You’ll also see a donation option at the bottom of the ticket list. All donations will go toward helping us give free tickets to the groups above, so please give if you are able.

Guide for Teachers: Click here for information on the storytellers, sample assignments, and other ideas for weaving storytelling into your curriculum.

Lodging: You can stay on site for the festival! The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge is offering festival visitors a discount ($159/night plus taxes & fees) for reserving rooms early. Call 706-896-2262, ext. #1, by 3/10/2026 and ask for the GMSF 2026 rate.

Volunteering: Did you know that the festival is entirely volunteer-run? We’d love to have you join the crew! Many jobs are available. Volunteers typically work a 2 to 4-hour shift and in return receive a snazzy t-shirt, a free two-day festival ticket, and the undying gratitude of the organizers. To learn more and to sign up, click here.

Sponsorship: Each year, the festival is made possible by many generous individuals, businesses, and organizations. To learn more about how you can get involved as a sponsor and to see the benefits associated with sponsorship, click here.

More information will be coming soon, including the festival map and schedule!

Check back here and follow our Facebook page for more information on the 2026 festival, and email us at info@gamountainstoryfest.org if you have questions in the meantime.