Philly Story Fest 2026

The best stories from our city live on stage. Featuring award-wining journalists, writers, podcasters, performance artists, and musicians. The oldest human art form is coming to the big stage. Philly Story Fest 2026 is here. Featuring award-winning journalists and comedians; short film and dance; live music and performance. The ways in which stories are told are as diverse as what the stories themselves are about. From true crime to comedy, politics to poetics, Story Fest invites you to experience a brief and piercing look into the soul of the city. The theme for this season is Villains: stories about what we fear, what we misunderstand, and what we become. What might you encounter? Inquiring minds would like to know. Featured Media Partners Philadelphia Inquirer Philly Mag Philadelphia Citizen WURD WXPN and more TBA Sponsors Presenting: Americans United for Separation of Church and State Supporting: Knight Foundation About Story Fest Story Fest is produced by Back Pocket Presents, a nonprofit made up of journalists and artists who build experiences around community and storytelling.