Tales in the Park is back for the fifth year
We can’t wait to bring you another summer of storytelling across Stoke-on-Trent.
Taking place in six local parks, these accessible storytelling festivals make the perfect day out for families with children aged 0 to 13 (but everyone’s welcome!). That means Stoke that the fun is right on your doorstep this summer holiday.
You’ll be treated to storytelling, pop-up sports, crafts, circus skills, a bouncy castle, and so much more. Hopefully, your family will make some happy memories to cherish together this summer and beyond.
Every child will also be gifted a free book to take home and enjoy, kindly gifted by Harper Collins*.
When is Tales in the Park?
From 11am – 3pm, Tales in the Park will take over:
- Tunstall Park on Tuesday 28 July
- Hanley Park on Friday 31 July
- Yeaman Street Recreation Ground on Tuesday 4 August
- Fenton Park on Friday 7 August
- Longton Park on Tuesday 11 August
- Burslem Park on Friday 14 August
For accessibility information for each event, please follow the link in each park location above.
Tales in the Park has been organised in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent Libraries and YMCA North Staffordshire to inspire children to enjoy reading and encourage families to share stories together all year round. The library service will also bring their Little Library Van, where you can register to become a member and children can sign up to The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.
What happened at the 2025 Tales in the Park?
Over 5,000 visitors celebrated the magic of stories together. Thank you to everyone who came to our festivals, you were all part of making each event so magical... that's
- over 3,300 children, and
- over 5,000 people in total
What a lot of families coming together to enjoy a wide range of literacy activities a free day out.
Library membership is really important to the National Literacy Trust, and throughout the festivals
- over 590 people registered to become library members, and
- over 279 children took part in the Summer Reading Challenge
This is amazing to see! We know that you loved the festival and are delighted that families will go on to find ways to discover books together at their local libraries and continue reading at home.
“My little girl absolutely loved it! She had her face painted and then loved the children's games and her books and it has sparked her love for reading. Thank you so much.”
“Our little boy loved playing in the ball pit, listening to the storyteller and picking out a couple of books. As parents we were impressed with the massive selection of free books available- well known titles and authors - what a fab way to get kids interested in reading whatever their financial background.”