Telling Tales Festival 2026

Join us for the 18th Annual Telling Tales Festival! Royal Botanical Gardens’ Hendrie Park October 3rd and 4th | 9:30 am to 5 pm daily | Final entry 3:30 pm Time-ticketed; select an entry-window when you register. Please note: Entry times are not guaranteed due to Fire Code regulations. 2 DAYS OF FREE FAMILY FUN, for all ages–because great tales never grow old! Meet Canada’s leading children’s authors, illustrators, storytellers, and musicians. Internationally acclaimed Festival Headliners take the Main Stage at 12:15 pm daily. Our Saturday headliner is Barbara Reid (author/illustrator of The Story Hunter). Our Sunday headliner is Danny Ramadan (author of Salma The Syrian Chef). Explore the gardens, creative workshops, dance, literary characters, live theatre on the Main Stage, and so much more… 2 Days | 5 Tents | 70+ Author, Illustrator, and Storytelling Presentations Free shuttle bus service available. Time Ticketing 9:30 to 10:30 am, 10:30 to 11:30 am, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, 12:30 to 1:30 pm, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, 2:30 to 3:30 pm (final entry 3:30 pm) When planning your visit, please note that you may arrive at any time within your entry-window (indicated on your ticket) and stay as long as you like.