Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival 2026 returns with a star-studded lineup in the City of Lakes: All you need to know

Stories come alive in winter: Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival 2026 brings voices, imagination and culture to the City of Lakes from January 9–11. (Representative Image: canva)

• Udaipur Tales Festival set for Jan 9-11, 2026 at Park Exotica Resort
• Festival features Divya Dutta, Rajit Kapur, Meiyang Chang, and global storytellers.
• Kids' stage, open mics, and storytelling contests boost community involvement.

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January is one of the most enchanting months to experience Rajasthan, and in winter, Udaipur truly comes into its own. Cool mornings, soft golden sunlight, and still, reflective lakes lend the City of Lakes a quiet, almost dreamlike charm. In 2026, travellers have an added reason to plan a winter escape here—the 7th edition of the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival, set to take place from January 9 to 11 at Park Exotica Resort, Udaipur.

India’s only international festival dedicated exclusively to oral storytelling, Udaipur Tales has steadily grown into one of the country’s most distinctive cultural gatherings, drawing storytellers, musicians, and performers from across India and the world.

A Festival That Celebrates the Power of the Spoken Word

Unlike large, high-decibel cultural festivals, Udaipur Tales is intentionally intimate, unplugged, and human. There are no screens or scripts—just voices, imagination, and presence. The festival celebrates a wide spectrum of storytelling genres, including contemporary narratives, romance, folklore, history, dastangoi, mystery, horror, thriller, and satire, offering audiences a deeply immersive experience.

Over the years, the festival has earned acclaim for reviving the timeless art of storytelling and creating a space where stories from different cultures echo together in one of India’s most atmospheric cities.

Celebrity Artists and International Storytellers Headline the 2026 Edition

The Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival 2026 features an impressive line-up of acclaimed voices from theatre, cinema, literature, and folk traditions.

Among the headline performers are National Award-winning actor Divya Dutta and celebrated theatre and film actor Rajit Kapur, setting the tone for a powerful three-day celebration. The line-up also includes:

Danish Husain (Dastangoi), Arif Zakaria, Divy Nidhi Sharma (Script & Story Writer), Author Mayur Kalbag, International storytellers Maia Ganatra and Mikka Chesron, Musician-actor Meiyang Chang performing with his band, Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company (Ahmedabad) presenting Shifting Sands.

The festival also features storytelling sessions by visually impaired students and inmates from Udaipur Central Jail, reinforcing its strong focus on inclusion and community engagement.

‘Honours Unveiled’: Celebrating Master Storytellers

A defining highlight of Udaipur Tales is ‘Honours Unveiled’, a formally curated segment dedicated to recognising master storytellers for their lifelong contribution to oral storytelling. Introduced in the fifth edition, the honour is conferred through a jury-led process and celebrates storytellers who have preserved cultural memory, language, and lived histories through the spoken word.

Three Days of Immersive Storytelling: What to Expect

The 2026 edition unfolds as a carefully curated three-day journey:

Day One (January 9): The festival opens with contemporary, folkloric, and satirical narratives, featuring performances by Mayur Kalbag, Maia Ganatra, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Rajit Kapur, and the Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company.

Day Two (January 10): Focused on legacy and lived histories, the day includes the Honouring of Master Storytellers, followed by performances by Danish Husain, Colonel R.K. Sharma, Arif Zakaria, and Meiyang Chang with his band.

Day Three (January 11): The final day explores autobiographical narratives, classical epics, and contemporary international storytelling, culminating in performances by Mikka Chesron, Prithviraj Choudhury, Divya Dutta, and a Sufi musical performance by Aanchal Srivastav.

Children’s Storytelling, Open Stages and Community Platforms

Strengthening its digital and youth outreach, Readmio has joined as the Official Digital Partner for the 2026 edition. A dedicated children’s stage will run each morning, featuring sessions by Vilas Janve, Gouri Nilakantan, and Shona Malhotra, along with school-led performances.

The festival will also host its 6th Annual Storytelling Competition for school students, offering young storytellers a platform to express their imagination. Participants receive a free one-month Readmio subscription, while winners earn a one-year premium subscription and the opportunity to release their own audiobook on the Readmio platform.

Meanwhile, Jamghat, the festival’s open, participative talent platform, runs across all three afternoons from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, featuring open mics, independent performances, storytelling competitions, and spontaneous artistic collaborations.

Explore Udaipur Between Festival Sessions

Between storytelling sessions, Udaipur’s winter charm makes exploration effortless.

1. City Palace & Lake Pichola: Wander through the historic courtyards of the City Palace, then unwind with a boat ride on Lake Pichola, passing Jag Mandir in soft winter light.

2. Cafés & Old City Walks: Rooftop cafés near Gangaur Ghat and Jheel’s Rooftop Café are ideal for relaxed conversations and post-session reflections.

3. Jagdish Temple: Start your mornings at this 17th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, admired for its intricate carvings and towering stone Garuda.

4. Saheliyon Ki Bari: Built in 1710 for royal women, this historic garden offers lotus pools, fountains, and quiet corners perfect for photography.

5. Shilpgram: A short drive away, this rural arts village showcases traditional crafts and folk culture—an extension of the festival’s spirit.

Why Udaipur Tales Should Be on Your January 2026 Travel List

Blending culture, community, and travel, the Udaipur Tales International Storytelling Festival 2026 offers more than just performances—it’s an immersive cultural retreat set against one of India’s most romantic winter destinations. For travellers seeking meaningful experiences beyond sightseeing, this festival transforms a Udaipur getaway into a journey of stories, voices, and shared human moments.