Fun Palaces are all about bringing people together to share the skills, interests and passions that make us who we are. Creating a Fun Palace offers a brilliant chance to connect with your local community, build relationships and have fun together – whether during the Annual Weekend of Action (2–4 October 2026) or at any time that suits you. Every year, communities come together to share the arts and sciences they love doing, in community centres, museums, parks, living rooms and more. Over the years, many Fun Palaces have embraced reading and writing in playful, creative ways: from poetry and storytelling to calligraphy, recipe swapping, crime writing and more, and around 50% of Fun Palaces take place in libraries each year.
National Year of Reading 2026
With 2026 marking the National Year of Reading, it’s the perfect moment to explore how reading can spark community connection, empower creativity and inspire shared joy.
Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Your Fun Palace could host a book swap, invite people to share favourite passages, explore books linked to hobbies, or try something new inspired by a library find. Graphic novels, gaming narratives, magazines, sport programmes, recipes, lyrics – all forms of reading can inspire or complement your Fun Palace. Whether you already have something to share or want to start fresh, reading-related activities can bring people together in simple, meaningful ways.
Download our toolkit to spark ideas and help you create a Fun Palace that celebrates reading in any form – including graphic, audio, print, and writing activities, and sign up your event on both the Fun Palaces website and the Go All In platform.
Let’s make reading a shared adventure in 2026.
Click the toolkit cover above
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