World Storytelling Day (March 20)
Most of us tell stories without even realizing it.
You explain what happened at work. You retell something your child said that made you laugh. You exaggerate slightly for dramatic effect. That’s storytelling.
World Storytelling Day on March 20 isn’t about publishing books or going viral. It’s about the older tradition, sitting somewhere and speaking a story out loud.
It’s one of the quieter weird holidays in March, but it taps into something we’ve been doing for centuries.
When is the Holiday?
This holiday is observed annually on March 20th. This global celebration takes place on the same day in various countries, encouraging people to engage with stories and storytelling events worldwide.
Who Invented It?
It started in Sweden in 1991. At the time, it wasn’t meant to be global. A small group of storytellers wanted a day dedicated to oral storytelling and called it “All Storytellers Day.”
Other countries slowly picked it up. By the early 2000s, March 20 had become the shared date. No big marketing push. Just people who liked telling stories.
The History of the Holiday
World Storytelling Day began in Sweden in 1991 under the name “All Storytellers Day.” A group of Swedish storytellers, including Carl-Anders Säfström, wanted to create a day focused entirely on oral storytelling.
It started small, local gatherings and live performances, but the idea spread. By the early 2000s, storytellers in other countries adopted the concept, and March 20 became the shared date.
Today, events take place across continents, often tied together by a common annual theme. One year it might center on myths, another on journeys or transformation. The theme gives structure, but the interpretation is always personal.
Top 5 Facts About the Holiday
- It began as a local Swedish event before growing into an international celebration.
- March 20 was chosen partly because it falls near the spring equinox, a symbolic time of renewal.
- Each year has a shared global theme, but storytellers interpret it in their own way.
- Participation isn’t limited to professionals; community members, students, and families often take part.
- Oral storytelling remains central, even in a digital age filled with video and audio platforms.
Coloring Page
Before you start sharing stories, this printable coloring page is an easy way to ease into the theme, especially with younger kids.
Activities to Celebrate
You don’t need a stage to take part.
Look through old family photos and tell the story behind one of them. Call a relative and ask them to retell something you’ve heard before, you’ll notice the details change.
If you have kids around, try a simple story circle: each person adds one sentence before passing it on. The results are usually chaotic, and that’s half the fun.
You could also revisit folktales from a culture that isn’t your own. Stories travel well, and hearing how other communities explain the world can shift perspective.
And if you prefer writing to speaking, draft something short, a memory, a fictional scene, or even just the beginning of something.
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Links to Resources
- Printable Writing Prompts for Kids – Useful if someone needs a nudge to get started, especially reluctant writers.
- The Storyteller’s Handbook – Practical guidance on pacing, structure, and voice without overcomplicating the craft.
- Story Cubes – Simple dice with images that spark unexpected plot twists.
- Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly – A workbook-style guide filled with exercises to help shape stronger narratives.
Related Holidays
- Tolkien Reading Day (March 25) – Celebrated by fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, this day encourages readers to revisit Middle-earth and share favorite passages aloud, keeping the oral storytelling tradition alive.
- National Typewriter Day (June 23) – Honors the classic writing tool that shaped generations of authors, journalists, and storytellers long before laptops took over.
- National Book Lovers Day (August 9) – A simple celebration of reading in all forms, fiction, nonfiction, old favorites, or something completely new.
- National Read a Book Day (September 6) – A reminder to slow down and spend uninterrupted time with a story, whether you’re reading alone or sharing one out loud.
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