Head to one of our Creativity Zones to enjoy multi-medium arts activities presented by partnered local arts and literacy organizations, including: Arts for All: Kinderfest, Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Public Library, Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection, Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA), Hamilton Music Collective, Hamilton Public Library, Imagine In The Park, The City of Hamilton Children’s and Community Services Division, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and Workers Arts & Heritage Centre.

Located across the festival, the Creativity Zones will bustle with hands-on workshops, activities, storytimes, nature walks, and puppet shows led by Telling Tales community partners and volunteers. With multiple tents and performance areas for shows and activities, there will be something for everyone, no matter when you arrive.

These presentations are designed for family audiences, with something to be enjoyed by everyone—children from birth to age 13+. Creativity Zones are located near Telling Tales programming aimed at the same age demographics.

View Full Festival Schedule

What’s Happening

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten 6-8 / Grades 1-3

    Join HPL for interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) fun, buttonmaking, bubbles and more. Check the Festival Schedule […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Connect with the library with interactive puppet shows, games and make a puppet craft to take home. Check the Festival […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 10:30 AM – 10:55 AM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Join BPL and their talented troupe for Puppet Show fun! Afterwards, get inspired and make your own puppet crafts with […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 1:30 PM – 1:55 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Join BPL and their talented troupe for Puppet Show fun! Afterwards, get inspired and make your own puppet crafts with […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 2:30 PM – 2:55 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Join BPL and their talented troupe for Puppet Show fun! Afterwards, get inspired and make your own puppet crafts with […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 6-8 / Grades 1-3

    Make a Pennant Banner! Families are invited to create a felt pennant celebrating belonging, loyalty, or aspiration around an issue, […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 6-8 / Grades 1-3 9-12 / Grades 4-6

    Join us and discover hands-on, guided workshops by local, professional artists in their chosen art form of study!

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 4, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Kinderfest | Open Air Theatre

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten 6-8 / Grades 1-3 9-12 / Grades 4-6 12-14 / Grades 7-8 14+ / Grades 9+

    Arts For All presents Kinderfest at Telling Tales featuring Carousel Players with “Drama Garden”: A multi-sensory theatrical experience for young […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten 6-8 / Grades 1-3

    Join HPL for interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) fun, buttonmaking, bubbles and more. Check the Festival Schedule […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Connect with the library with interactive puppet shows, games and make a puppet craft to take home. Check the Festival […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 10:30 AM – 10:55 AM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Join BPL and their talented troupe for Puppet Show fun! Afterwards, get inspired and make your own puppet crafts with […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 1:30 PM – 1:55 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Join BPL and their talented troupe for Puppet Show fun! Afterwards, get inspired and make your own puppet crafts with […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 2:30 PM – 2:55 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten

    Join BPL and their talented troupe for Puppet Show fun! Afterwards, get inspired and make your own puppet crafts with […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 6-8 / Grades 1-3 9-12 / Grades 4-6

    Join us and discover hands-on, guided workshops by local, professional artists in their chosen art form of study!

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Kinderfest | Open Air Theatre

    Age / Grade 0-3 / Early Years 4-6 / Kindergarten 6-8 / Grades 1-3 9-12 / Grades 4-6 12-14 / Grades 7-8 14+ / Grades 9+

    Arts For All presents Kinderfest at Telling Tales featuring Carousel Players with “Drama Garden”: A multi-sensory theatrical experience for young […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 6-8 / Grades 1-3

    Draw your own graphic novel! Using brushes and ink to make imaginative covers, we’ll have everything you need to turn […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 6-8 / Grades 1-3

    Join DVSA in the Creativity Zone for an interactive workshop! Making art is a great way to tell stories with […]

  • Telling Tales Festival

    Oct 5, 2025 9:45 AM – 5:00 PM

    Royal Botanical Gardens

    Creativity Zones

    Age / Grade 9-12 / Grades 4-6 12-14 / Grades 7-8 14+ / Grades 9+

    Hamilton Music Collective’s interactive beat making tent will demonstrate how you can make electronic music with slamming beats, dazzling chord […]