Looking for events in May to celebrate the National Year of Reading with your students?
Every month, there are reading events held across the UK, from Share-a-Story-Month to school, library and festival events for children, young people and adults alike.
Events for May
May brings together both flagship national activities and a line-up of local opportunities. The events page shows reading linked to storytelling, music, performance, wellbeing, creativity and community participation, to reflect the campaign’s wider aim of helping people “read about the everyday things they love”.
Events to watch
One of the strongest events in May is Share-A-Story-Month. This is a nationwide, free event running from 1st to 31st May and is suitable for all ages. Alongside that, there are targeted activities for schools, including Book Clubs in Schools Day on 1st and 2nd May and National Year of Reading x eduthing sessions later in the month.
For families and younger children, the calendar includes storytelling and early-years events such as May Morning Storytelling in Oxford, Storytime for under 5s in Lowestoft, and Incy Wincy Wanders in London. These events show how the campaign reaches different ages and stages, making reading feel welcoming from the earliest years onwards.
Highlights across the month
Mid-May hosts a range of literary festivals and themed sessions, including Huddersfield Literature Festival 2026, Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival, Big Ideas by the Sea Festival, and Linton Children’s Book Festival. There are also online options, such as the National Year of Reading x eduthing event on 14th May, which makes it easier for schools and families to take part wherever they are.
Later in the month, major events such as Hay Festival of Literature and Arts and Essex Book Festival extend the momentum into the summer.
There are many more reading events scheduled beyond the month of May, so do check out the events page and see what appeals to you and/or your students! The sheer range of events shows that reading can encompass all sorts of subjects and connect to so many interesting things. There really is something for everyone when it comes to reading!
References
- Go All In. Available at: https://goallin.org.uk/ (Accessed 12 May 2026)
- Go All In events page. Available at: https://goallin.org.uk/whats-on/ (Accessed 12 May 2026)
