Gather Round is Monmouth’s new Festival of Stories — three days of extraordinary storytelling, music, myth, history, poetry and performance, bringing some of the best storytellers in the UK to one of Wales’s most historic towns.

From 2–4 October 2026, theatres, gardens, historic spaces, our library and pubs across Monmouth will become places to listen, laugh, wonder and share stories.

This is a festival with genuine variety. You can start the weekend with Nigerian storyteller Alim Kamara at the Priory Gardens for Stories under the Stars. Bring a picnic, blanket or chair, family and friends, and enjoy a magical evening of story and song.

Saturday is the festival’s big day, with stories happening throughout Monmouth. At the Savoy, we welcome some of the best UK storytellers, beginning the day with Corinne Harrigan’s Troubled Waters, followed by The Mighty Goddess with acclaimed storyteller Sally Pomme Clayton. Completing the line-up is our headline event, The Other Folk: Fairy Tales and the Occasional Encounter with acclaimed mythologist and storyteller Dr Martin Shaw.

Headliner Dr Martin Shaw
(Dr Martin Shaw)

Martin brings his distinctive understanding of myth, folklore and the deeper stories that shape our lives to the Savoy Theatre for what promises to be a very special evening. For anyone fascinated by ancient tales, imagination and the enduring power of myth, this is one of the weekend’s unmissable events.

But Gather Round isn’t just about sitting in a theatre.

Step outside and explore Monmouth through its stories. Join one of our story walks and discover the town’s Chartist history, its historic buildings, or the stories of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Henry V.

There is plenty for younger audiences too. Families can enjoy storytelling, music, crafts and hands-on activities, including puppet making, nature-inspired creations and music-making. Come along to the Story Garden at The Priory and enjoy performances from Tamar Williams, Alison Newsam, Do Re Mi, and Corinne Harrigan with her performance Mischievous Beasts. Young storytellers can even take centre stage in the Children’s Storytelling Competition at 4pm in the Priory.

The Priory building comes to life with storytelling from Marcus Pebworth and his Stories for Mortals. Gary Raymond, author and presenter of the Arts Show on BBC Radio Wales, will then join us to talk about his new book based on the November floods in Monmouth.

And as evening falls, Gather Round continues, offering a relaxed Saturday night gathering at the Griffin with live music and a chance to share stories.

Sunday brings another change of pace, with family performance and activities at the river, including two performances of Frogs in a Bog. Local historians share stories of Monmouth Bridge, and the event concludes with a special performance of The People’s Fire: A Chartist Tale. Taking place at the Savoy, the performance includes a panel of Chartist historians and will be chaired by Gary Raymond.

Gather Round is a festival to explore, not just attend. Come for Dr Martin Shaw. Bring the children for family stories. Walk the streets and hear Monmouth’s history. Discover Welsh tales, ancient myths, personal stories, music and poetry.

Three days. Dozens of storytellers. Extraordinary stories. One remarkable town.

Book tickets now: www.gather-round.uk