Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day

After the runaway success of our inaugural Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day last year - enjoyed by more than 18,500 children online and hundreds more families in person – we are proud to present our second chapter.

This year’s Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day will take place on Wednesday 10 June. Schools can book now for All Aboard the Story Time Express, our live online event featuring readings from Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever.

Inspiring Audiences Through Storytelling

Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain’s best loved writers for children with sales of over 35 million copies.

And from War Horse to The Mozart Question, his inspiring and moving performances have been a highlight of York Festival of Ideas for the past 12 years. We are delighted and honoured that Michael is now our Festival Patron.

We hope you’ll embrace the opportunity to celebrate the acclaimed author’s amazing power as a writer, communicator and advocate of the arts on our second Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day. Look out for two very special Festival events – All Aboard the Story Time Express with Michael Morpurgo and Songs of Nature: An evening of words and music. 

 

All Aboard the Storytime Express

Wednesday 10 June, 10am to 10.45am

It’s full steam ahead as Michael reads from his much-loved book Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever - from a locomotive!

School and home-educated children are invited aboard our story time express for an online journey into the golden age of steam travel. Enjoy an inspiring tale celebrating the world’s most iconic train, Flying Scotsman, and its greatest fan, a young girl named Iris. 

Presented with the generous support of LNER. Booking now open. 

 

Songs of Nature: An evening of words and music

Tues 9 June, 6pm to 7.35pm

Join us for a spellbinding evening of words and music exploring our deep connection to the natural world.

Through a journey across land and sea, Michael celebrates the vibrant beauty of our planet and our shared responsibility to protect it. Featuring readings from the Carnival of the Animals, A Song of Gladness and Driftwood, his evocative stories are beautifully interwoven with music by cellist Clare O’Connell.

Full of humour, energy and emotion, the acclaimed writer’s inspiring performances are always a highlight of the Festival programme. Come along and rediscover the wonder of the wild with Michael, our Festival Patron, at this very special family concert.

Booking opens 1 May.

Connect with Us

How are you marking the Michael Morpurgo Celebration Day on 10 June?

We’d love to hear your plans!

Share your experiences and photos using #MorpurgoDay

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