Join us for the 16th annual 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 in five vibrant tents! Come to the festival for:
- Free access to the Royal Botanical Gardens! Register for the opportunity to see these amazing gardens at no cost.
- Book Swap & Shop | Échange et achat de livres! Bring your old books and trade them in for new-to-you stories. Now with french books available in partnership with Centre francophone Hamilton.
- Author Signings! Meet your favorite authors in person following each festival presentation.
- Wandering Characters! Did you know that the Paper Bag Princess comes to Telling Tales every year? Meet her and your other favorite storybook characters as they come to life!
- Performers! Catch musicians, puppet shows, and drag queen storytime, all at Telling Tales!
- Interactive walks and activities! Join RBG ambassadors on guided story walks, play games at our vendor tents, or sing a song with our musicians.
- Local artisans and vendors! Visit our Exhibitor Grove to peruse local talent and support local artists.
- AND MUCH MORE!
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.
Join Canada’s finest children’s authors & illustrators, along with local artists, performers, and RBG Ambassadors who will lead families in story readings, sculpture walks, creative workshops, music, and more!
Schedule
Visit our tent pages for details and presentations:
Main Stage: All ages
Read Together Tent: Ages 0-6
Early Reader Tent: Ages 6-8
Preteen Tent: Ages 9-12
Young Adult Tent: Ages 13+
View our full season schedule for a complete listing of presentation times.
Thanks to our Sponsors! Telling Tales is a Canadian Registered Charity committed to delivering outstanding literary programming for children and youth that raises awareness of the importance of literacy in our communities. Telling Tales season is co-hosted by Hamilton Public Library, Rotary Clubs of Burlington and Hamilton, and Royal Botanical Gardens. Telling Tales is grateful for support from Ontario Arts Council, the Government of Ontario, Canada Council of the Arts, the Government of Canada, The City of Hamilton, EarlyON Child and Family Centre, City of Burlington, Access Storage, Cogeco, Burlington Public Library, Grant Thornton LLP, Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board, Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, Hillfield Strathallan College, I Read Canadian, Leacross Foundation, Scholastic Canada, Silent Voice, TD Bank Group, Undivided Productions, The Dougher Community Fund, The Edith H. Turner Foundation Fund, Ontario Endowment for Children & Youth in Recreation Fund, and Field of Interest Funds at Hamilton Community Foundation, Burlington Community Foundation, Turkstra Family Foundation, Patrick J. McNally Foundation, The Michael Young Foundation, CHML Children’s Fund, and many local Rotary Clubs in Hamilton, Burlington, and the Niagara region. Full list of supporters.
“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