Welcome to La Crosse Storytelling
Wisconsin’s Longest Running Storytelling Festival
STORIES–It’s what we do!
Our 24th Annual Storytelling Fest!
We are RETURNING TO OUR ROOTS! JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER!
September 11, 12, 2026!
Pump House Regional Arts Center
For tickets: http://thepumphouse.org
The La Crosse Storytelling Festival was first conceived in 2003 by two local attorneys, Keith Belzer and Ted Skemp. Through their efforts and backing, the first 3 Festivals took place at Pettibone Park in La Crosse. It was in these first years that groundwork was lain for all following Festivals: the Festival would be first and foremost a family event, the level of National talent would be of the highest caliber, the Festival would highlight professional local tellers, and the event would serve as a way to educate the general public about storytelling.
In 2006, the Bluff Country Tale Spinners storytelling guild took on the major responsibility for the Festival. And, as 
Wisconsin’s First Storytelling Festival, it continues to meet the initial objectives. Come and enjoy the magic of storytelling!
Join us for our 24th Fest!
Dates: Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: The Pump House Regional Art Center in the Art District of downtown La Crosse.
This year’s fest has it all!
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Stories, It’s What We Do
LA CROSSE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL MISSION
Enjoying performances in the Main Tent
Our mission is to be the premier storytelling event in the upper Midwest, celebrating the art of storytelling by edifying, educating, and entertaining people of all ages and walks of life.
Donations
Our Latest News!
- Stories This SummerWe are returning to our ‘roots’ this year and returning to our September dates (Sept. 11, 12) for our annual festival. But there will still be stories this summer! Meet us at our booth at Artspire where we encourage the children to tell a story or color a mask. Representatives of La Crosse Storytelling will … Continue reading →
- Celtic Stories and SongPut on your GREEN and join us for some Irish fun!! The Bluff Country Tale Spinners present Celtic Stories and Song on March 14 at the Pump House in La Crosse. Doors open at 6:30 and the Dublin Daughters will entertain as you find your seat and then the stories begin at 7:00! Amanda’s Academy … Continue reading →
- Storytelling in Westby!Please join the Bluff Country Tale Spinners for a night of stories at KOS, a Gastro Pub at 105 State Street, Westby. The storytelling starts at 5:30 on Thursday, January 29. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. KOS (pronounced like koose and rhymes with moose) is short for the word Koseling and is … Continue reading →
- Creepy Stories Oct. 25Need a bit of a scare this Halloween season? Oct. 25 is the night for creepy and scary at the Pump House. The Bluff Country Tale Spinners will present their spooky stories starting at 7:00. Tickets are available at the door but, just in case, get them early at their website http://thepumphouse.org Then be prepared for … Continue reading →
- Tales of the Creepy and ScaryFall is in the air and that means Tales of the Creepy and Scary is coming soon! Our annual creepy stories will be Saturday, October 25 at the Pump House. Door open at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00. Members of the local storytelling guild, The Bluff Country Tale Spinners, will again bring you … Continue reading →
- A Great Fest!!!Our 22nd Annual Festival was fantastic! Bil Lepp, Charolotte Blake Alston, and Jim May entertained, taught, and entertained some more. We had two nights of stories for adults, one day of stories for children, workshops, a Luna, music, food, raffle baskets, and so much fun. You don’t want to miss next year’s Day of Storytelling. … Continue reading →