20th ANNUAL FESTIVAL TICKETS

Our 2026 festival is almost here—Oct. 22–24! Online ticket sales are now closed, but you can still pick up tickets at UG White Mercantile in downtown Athens—corner of Market and Jefferson Streets. You may also purchase tickets in the festival Gift Shop when you get here, open an hour before each day starts.

Note: Kids 17 and under attend all festival events free of charge thanks to our wonderful legislators and sponsors! Students in college or younger qualify for Student tickets. High School and College Students 18 and over should be prepared to show their Student ID when picking up their swatches or purchasing tickets at the Gift Shop.

NOTE: Our tent is on the Athens State University Campus by Brown Hall, an easy walk from the downtown square shops and restaurants we all enjoy.

THE WHOLE SHEBANG

Includes admission to all events, Tuesday Night Student Tellers Competition, Thursday Night Tellers Olio, All Day Friday, Ghost Stories Friday Night, and All Day Saturday. Excludes school days.
$95 Adult / $49.50 Student

TUESDAY NIGHT: Student Tellers Competition

Tuesday Evening, Oct 20, 2026 at 6:00pm
One of our favorite events! Representatives from area city and county schools compete on our stage for braggin’ rights and the opportunity to take the stage again Thursday night. Come on down and support the tellers of tomorrow! Free to the public.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Veterans Night Olio

Thursday Evening, Oct 22, 2026 at 7:00pm
That’s right! Every veteran (and one guest) are FREE for our Thursday Night Olio. Be prepared to show your military ID at the Gift Shop ticket counter when you arrive. All of our festival tellers take the stage with shorter 15-minute performances and special guest Carol Cain presents fan favorite ‘Rosie the Riveter’. We’ll also hear from a few of our student teller winners. This is a great introduction to the festival you won’t want to miss!
$25 Adult / $5 Student

STORYTELLING WEEKEND

FULL WEEKEND
Oct 23–24, 2026
All day Friday and Saturday. You will see each teller 4 times during the weekend.
$75 Adult / $20 Student

SINGLE DAY TICKET
All day Friday OR Saturday. Includes all 3 sessions. Please specify which day when you purchase your ticket. You will have a chance to see each teller twice.
FRIDAY ONLY Oct 23, 2026 $50 Adult / $10 Student
SATURDAY ONLY Oct 24, 2026 $50 Adult / $10 Student

PARTIAL DAY TICKETS
Available for 1st Session, 2nd Session, OR 3rd Session Friday OR Saturday. Please specify which day and which session when you purchase your ticket. You will see each teller perform one time.
FRIDAY SESSION 1—9:00 am–12:15 pm $25 Adult / $5 Student
FRIDAY SESSION 2––1:30–4:45 pm $25 Adult / $5 Student
FRIDAY SESSION 3––6:15–9:30 pm $25 Adult / $5 Student
SATURDAY SESSION 1—9:00 am–12:15 pm $25 Adult / $5 Student
SATURDAY SESSION 2––1:30–4:45 pm $25 Adult / $5 Student
SATURDAY SESSION 3––6:15–9:45 pm $25 Adult / $5 Student

FRIDAY NIGHT FAMILY-FRIENDLY GHOST STORIES––9:30 pm
$10 General Admission | Included at no charge with any other ticket purchase.
Athens State students will take us on a walking tour of the beloved (and haunted) campus. Included with any other ticket purchase. Meet on the front porch of Sandridge Hall on the Athens State University Campus.

Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Special Thanks to Our Legislators!

Storytelling is a vital part of education and we are thrilled to bring the best in the country to area schoolchildren free of charge.

Senator Tim Melson
Senate District 1

Senator Tom Butler
Senate District 2

Senator Arthur Orr
Senate District 3

Senator Larry Stutts
Senate District 6

Representative Ben Harrison
House District 2

Representative Parker Moore
House District 4

Representative Danny Crawford
House District 5

Representative Andy Whitt
House District 6

Representative Phillip Rigsby
House District 25