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National Tell A Story Day

Bring your stories to life and celebrate National Tell A Story Day! Share tales with friends and family, or go on a magical adventure of your own.

Tuesday

April 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEApril 27

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYPop Culture

SUBCATEGORYBooks

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Tell A Story Day on April 27! This day has been around since the late 1990s and celebrates the art of storytelling. Whether it's an ancient folktale, a modern-day adventure, or simply a tale from your own life experiences that you want to share with others, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Who knows? You might even become inspired by someone else’s story and create one of your own!

TIMELINE

National Tell A Story Day Timeline

Aesop's Fables

Aesop, a Greek storyteller, introduces the world to his collection of "Aesop's Fables". These stories, passed down orally, are among the earliest forms of storytelling.

Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales

Brothers Grimm publish their first collection of folklore-based stories known as Grimm's Fairy Tales, further popularising the act of storytelling.

Adventures of Pinocchio

The publication of Pinocchio in Italy signals a shift towards storytelling in children's literature, emphasising moral and societal lessons.

Radio Broadcasting Begins

The start of mass radio broadcasting creates a new medium for storytelling, reaching a larger audience than ever before.

National Tell A Story Day

National Tell A Story Day is established in the United States, encouraging people to share stories across multiple mediums and generations.

Digital Storytelling Expands

With a rise in social media and digital literature, storytelling becomes even more accessible and diverse, promoting a new era of sharing and listening to stories.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Tell A Story Day

Write a story

Start by writing down your ideas and then create a story around them. Think of the characters, plot, setting, and more to make an engaging story.

HOST

Host a storytelling party

Gather your friends and family and have each person take turns telling stories. Everyone can participate in the fun and learn something new.

VISIT

Visit an old library

Take a trip to your local library or find a historic one nearby and explore its collection of stories from different eras and cultures.

LISTEN

Listen to a podcast

There are so many podcasts available online that tell interesting stories. Listen to one of your favorites or try something new.

ATTEND

Attend a storytelling event

Look up events near you that feature storytelling and attend one. You’ll be surprised at how many talented storytellers there are.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Tell A Story Day

Stories help spark imagination

Telling stories is a fantastic way to get your creativity flowing. Listening to someone tell a story gives your mind time to wander and come up with its own ideas, enabling you to become creative without having to do any of the hard work yourself. So listening to stories isn't just fun - it can also be an important source of inspiration!

Telling stories brings us closer together

Sharing stories with loved ones helps create stronger connections and forms a bond between those involved. Whether it's telling your own story or hearing someone else's, it allows you to learn more about each other and capture moments of joy that otherwise would go by unnoticed.

Stories are a great way to pass on information

For thousands of years, people have been using stories to share knowledge and teach important lessons. They can be used to inform others about history, culture, morals and values in an entertaining format that engages the listener. This is especially important for passing information along from one generation to the next!

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JAN

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National Storytelling Week

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World Storytelling Day

A cultural observance on March 20 celebrating the art of oral storytelling, encouraging people worldwide to tell and listen to stories in as many languages and places as possible.