Telling Tales Festival
Join us for the 15th anniversary Telling Tales Festival at the Royal Botanical Gardens. We are excited to share a full schedule of over 40 of Canada’s leading children’s authors, illustrators, and storytellers presenting on five vibrant stages! Stick around and enjoy activities from our partners and exhibitors across Hendrie Park.
Two Days of Festival Fun
Telling Tales believes in creating meaningful connections with the natural world. Finding the “awe” in nature—like discovering a story that speaks to you—can encourage creativity and emotional growth. Telling Tales’ partnership with Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) provides the perfect opportunity to connect children and their families with stories, nature, and art.
The 15th annual Telling Tales Festival will run over 2 days at RBG’s world-renowned Hendrie Park. Join Canada’s finest children’s authors & illustrators, along with local artists, performers, and RBG Ambassadors who will engage with families in story readings, sculpture walks, creative workshops, music, and more. The natural surroundings of RBG, beautifully accented by the Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection is the ideal setting for families to share a love of reading and nature.
We gratefully acknowledge the Hamilton Public Library, Rotary Clubs of Burlington and Hamilton, Royal Botanical Gardens, Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection, Ontario Arts Council, the Government of Ontario, Canada Council of the Arts, the Government of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Community Services Recovery Fund, City of Hamilton, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, City of Burlington, Hamilton Community Foundation, Turkstra Family Foundation, Patrick J. McNally Foundation, Jennifer Turkstra, and The Michael Young Foundation for helping to bring these talented Canadian artists to our community. Full list of supporters.
Visit our stage pages for details and presentations
View our full season schedule for a complete listing of presentation times.
“Telling Tales is a well-run festival that brings large numbers of participants together to enjoy a day of exceptional programming. As an author, I have been impressed by the level of organization of the event. As a former teacher and a literacy advocate, I highly recommend this festival as a way to deepen the community’s connection to texts and to learn from artists and storytellers.“
-Aimee Reid, Author & Festival Presenter
“I think it is the perfect event to take a child. My daughter was so happy, doing the walking trail and reading and getting videos too. She was super eager to fill a backpack with books. As soon as we got home, we looked at everything she picked up. We have special books that were signed by the author which will be kept as a memory for years to come.””
-Festival Attendee, 2022
“…holy moly did the gang at Telling Tales rise to the challenge! They offered the same amazing list of creators, and pulled it together in a unique and satisfying package. -best kids festival in Canada, if not the world.”
-Kevin Sylvester, CBC Broadcaster, bestselling Children’s author and illustrator. 2020.
“It’s amazing that an event like this can be free! I am grateful to all the sponsors. Having an easy way to tap a donation was also a good idea.
Thanks to all the volunteers who made this excellent event happen.”
–Janet J. Festival Attendee, 2022
