Middlesbrough is set to host a brand-new festival this summer, with the inaugural Middlesbrough Storytelling Festival arriving on Saturday, 27 June 2026. The event will take place across Centre Square, MIMA, and Middlesbrough Central Library, offering a range of live music, dance performances, interactive sessions, and creative workshops.
Most activities at the festival are free to attend, with organisers working to ensure the event remains accessible to everyone. In the weeks leading up to the main celebration, residents can participate in various workshops, poetry events, and community storytelling sessions held at different locations across the town.
The festival is being delivered by Middlesbrough Council in partnership with local schools and community groups. Highlights include a celebration of the town’s South Asian culture, which is being hosted by the team behind the Middlesbrough Mela, and the ‘Washed Up’ project, which explores the town’s shared histories and cultural traditions.
This initiative builds on the town’s ongoing efforts to become the UK City of Culture 2029. Middlesbrough was named on the official longlist for the title in March 2026, alongside eight other locations including Sheffield, Blackpool, and Portsmouth. Mayor Chris Cooke, who has made cultural regeneration a priority since taking office in May 2023, has stated that the town is working towards a mission to be the most creative place.
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