Doncaster Storytelling Festival 2025
Doncaster Storytelling Festival 2025
Doncaster Storytelling Festival is back for its fifth year, bringing a joyful celebration of children's stories to families and schools across the borough.
Launched in 2021, the festival unites Doncaster’s cultural partners for a summer of free, family-friendly events that inspire a love of reading and imagination through the power of storytelling.
Designed for children from the early years up to primary age, the festival offers fun, interactive ways for families to explore books, creativity, and the magic of stories together.
At the heart of the programme is our flagship schools event at Cast Theatre, where over 1,000 local primary pupils will enjoy a day of storytelling, live performances, and literary inspiration.
Festival line-up
This year’s exciting line-up includes award-winning children's authors and poets:
- Donavan Christopher (Rappaman)
- Kjartan Poskitt (Murderous Maths)
- Maisie Chan (Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths)
Explore the full programme of FREE events below and join us in celebrating stories this summer.
You can also head over to our Facebook page to see all of the fun in action!
What's on at the Doncaster Storytelling Festival
Fairytales in the Woods at Sandall Beat Woods
When: Sunday 8 June, 11am - 3pm
Bring your little ones and enjoy enchanting storytelling sessions, magical crafts, outdoor activities and trails to celebrate the start of summer. We'll be exploring classic fairytales such as the Three Little Pigs, drawing our very own characters, and getting creative with woodland objects. Plus, every child leaves with a free book!
No sign up needed, simply come along.
Dino Day at Sandall Park
When: Saturday 21 June, 11am - 4pm
Does your child know their Triceratops from their Tyrannosaurus Rex? Or are they bonkers about Brontosaurus? Bring them along to discover the fun at Sandall Park's Dino Day!
We'll be hosting fun and interactive storytelling sessions to spark your child's imagination, as part of the Doncaster Storytelling Festival. With face painting, fairground rides and hopefully a large dose of sunshine - it's set to be a ROAR-some day out for the whole family!
No sign up needed, simply come along.
Doncaster Storytelling Festival: Maths through Stories at CAST Theatre, sponsored by Unite the Union (schools only)
When: Tuesday 25 June
This year's flagship event at CAST Theatre offers a unique twist, using the power of storytelling to make maths feel more accessible and engaging. The event will welcome over 1000 local primary children to the venue for a lively day of interactive workshops from a exciting authors and poets.
The line-up features an exciting mix of talent:
- Donavan Christopher (Rappaman) – a performance poet with a passion for empowering young people
- Kjartan Poskitt - author of the much-loved Murderous Maths series
- Maisie Chan - award-winning author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths
Together, they’ll show pupils that stories can be a powerful tool for understanding the world, connecting with others, and building confidence.
Our Sponsors
With huge thanks to this year's incredible sponsor of Doncaster Storytelling Festival:
Unite the Union is a democratic and campaigning union, which fights back for employees in the workplace, protects workers' rights and takes trade unionism out to millions of unorganised workers.