Yorkshire Festival of Stories

The Yorkshire Festival of Story (YFOS), launched by arts charity Settle Stories, returns this November with its most ambitious hybrid programme yet: one week of powerful stories that spark connection, courage and conversation.

From 3rd to 9th November, YFOS will blend in-person events in Settle with global livestreams, bringing together storytellers, writers and artists who challenge, inspire and connect us in a hybrid festival. This hybrid approach means YFOS connects local communities in Yorkshire with global audiences.

YFOS has never been just about watching stories, it’s about feeling them, sharing them, and discovering what they mean for our lives today. Many events include opportunities for reflection, discussion, creative writing and workshops where you can learn new skills. These sessions give you the tools that you can carry with you long after the festival ends.

Highlights Include:

Words, Walks, Wisdom with Wendy Bowers – Discover how poetry, walking, and reflection restore balance from local writer Wendy Bowers.

Bombs at My Feet – Settle Stories Artistic Director/CEO Sita Brand takes audiences to Laos to uncover the secret war that devastated Laos, and the ancient tales the Lao people tell to make sense of the unexplainable.

Breakfast with Wainwright – Bob Swallow shares a unique perspective on the life of legendary fell-walker and chronicler of the Lakeland landscape, Alfred Wainwright, reflecting on their friendship through stories and personal memories

The Yorkshire Festival of Story runs from 3rd–9th November 2025, with events in Settle and online. Many events online are free, with paid tickets available for in person events and participatory workshops