Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival

Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Ben Franklin Place, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa
Recommended ages: 3–10

Big imaginations. Captivating stories. A day to share together.

Join Ottawa StoryTellers for the 32nd annual Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival, a celebration of live storytelling for children and their families!

Enjoy a lively lineup of storytellers performing in English and French, with half-hour sessions tailored to children ages 3–5 and 6–10. From the first story at 10:00 a.m. to the final session at 1:30 p.m., the festival offers opportunities to listen, laugh and let your imagination take flight.

Children ages 6–10 can also explore storytelling through two hour-long workshops offered during the day. Use the schedules below to plan your family’s visit and find sessions suited to your children’s ages and preferred language.

Our 2026 lineup is here! Story descriptions, storyteller biographies and more workshop details will be added soon. Check back as we introduce the voices and stories that will bring this year’s festival to life.

STORYTELLING PERFORMANCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
REGISTRATION FOR THE CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP OPENS SOON!
REGISTRATION FOR THE STORYTELLING & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP OPENS SOON!

Storytelling Schedule

Enjoy a full day of live storytelling in English and French, with sessions designed for children ages 3–10.

10:00 a.m.
Claude (le Père) Garneau
Ages 3–5 | French

10:30 a.m.
Margot Castor (Véronique Dupuis)
Ages 6–10 | French

11:00 a.m.
Katie Kompass
Ages 3–5 | English

11:30 a.m.
Victoria Howard
Ages 6–10 | English

12:00 p.m.
Marissa Clemence
Ages 6–10 | English

12:30 p.m.
Jennifer Cayley
Ages 6–10 | English

1:00 p.m.
Jaime Morse
Ages 6–10 | English

1:30 p.m.
Gail Anglin & Shannon Clarke
Ages 6–10 | English

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Workshop Schedule

Hands-on workshops give children a chance to explore storytelling through creative activities and participation.

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Karen Monie
Ages 6–10 | English

1:00–2:00 p.m.
Marissa Clemence
Ages 6–10 | English

Workshop titles and descriptions are coming soon. Workshops take place alongside the storytelling sessions, so please consider overlapping times when planning your visit. Workshops will be limited in space, please be sure to register online. 

A shared experience for families: All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the event.

Bring your curiosity and join us for a day celebrating the joy of stories!

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QUICKLINKS

MORE CHILDREN’S STORYTELLING

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A man with glasses and a patterned shirt crouches on the grass, talking to children sitting on a blanket, while a group of people listen nearby during an outdoor event.
Students sitting on the floor and chairs in a library listening to a woman speaking at a presentation or event.
A smiling woman in colorful jewelry and a red headwrap in a library, waving.
A woman smiling and holding a small stuffed animal at a book fair or library event. She is sitting between two tables covered with plush toy animals, with a background of bookshelves filled with children's books.
A woman in colorful clothing and headwrap is interacting with children sitting on chairs at an outdoor event with tents and a stage in the background.
An elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing a purple top, black vest, and dark skirt, stands in front of red, orange, and blue paper flower decorations on a wall with bookshelves filled with books.
A large audience of diverse children and adults sitting in an auditorium, attentively watching a presentation or performance. Some people are seated, while others stand against the walls. There are warning signs, a framed picture, and a woman standin
A young girl is creating colorful dragon-themed artwork in an art classroom. The table is covered with a blue plastic sheet and features painted dragon designs, with additional supplies like paint jars, brushes, and a rag nearby.
A woman stands in front of an audience in a small auditorium or theater, speaking possibly for a presentation or performance. The audience, mostly children and some adults, are sitting in rows of chairs and on the carpeted floor, watching her. Some c
Children sitting on the floor in a classroom, listening to a teacher.
A woman sitting on a yellow block, holding a book and speaking to four children sitting on red and gray mats in a classroom decorated with Christmas ornaments, including a green glittery star and a Christmas tree sticker on the window.
A woman standing in front of a classroom holding up a drawing of a cloud with a face, while a young girl sits cross-legged on the floor listening. The woman is wearing glasses, a black jacket, and red pants. The girl has glasses, a floral shirt, and
A woman with short hair and glasses sits on a green chair in front of a classroom, making a heart shape with her hands around her eyes. There are children and adults seated around her, some sitting on the floor, some facing away from the camera. A wa
A woman standing in front of a group of children sitting on a colorful carpet during a storytelling or educational session in a room with a painted green wall, decorated with a tree and a sun mural.
People sitting in a library, wearing face masks, attending a presentation or reading event.
A young woman with long curly hair, glasses, and light skin sitting on the floor of a library, appearing to be engaged in a conversation or storytelling, with bookshelves filled with children's books behind her.
Woman in orange shirt speaking to a group of children in a classroom or library setting.
Children gathered around a child sitting on a bench, raising a fist, with wolf-shaped cutouts in the background.
Audience seated in a theater watching a presentation, with some standing or sitting on the sides.
A man with glasses and a beard, wearing a red and black plaid shirt, sitting on a tree stump, engaging with children during a presentation or event.
Children and an adult playing with a multicolored parachute on stage, with a microphone on a stand nearby.
A woman sitting on the floor and reading to a group of children in front of a felt board with farm animals and a barn scene, in an indoor setting.
A man dressed in traditional Indigenous clothing giving a presentation to children in a community center. Behind him is a green wall with a banner that reads 'Oklahoma Native Tribe Center' and features a red circle with a stylized bird. There are cut
A woman kneeling on a colorful circular rug with a young girl. The woman is holding a large inflatable dinosaur toy, and the girl is dressed in a sweater and coat, facing the woman. There are playsets and a mirror in the background.
Children and adults sitting on the floor in a room, possibly listening to a speaker or watching a presentation.