Elmer Day 2026: the biggest one yet!
In May, Elmer fans around the world came together to celebrate the biggest Elmer Day ever, with colourful events, creative activities and joyful celebrations across multiple countries for Elmer Day 2026!
Every year, Elmer Day celebrates individuality, kindness and friendship through storytelling, crafting and dressing colourfully at home, in schools, libraries and bookshops. As 2026 is the National Year of Reading, and with Elmer as the Character Ambassador for the Go All In campaign to get children reading, it’s no surprise that this year was the biggest Elmer Day yet.
Meeting Elmer in Augmented Reality
One of the most exciting elements of this year’s celebrations was our partnership with High Street Safari, which allowed children and families to meet Elmer in an entirely new way.
Using augmented reality technology, visitors could scan a code in participating bookshops, schools and libraries and see a life-sized 3D Elmer appear in their own space through their phone screen. Families were able to interact with Elmer, take photographs and share their experiences online, bringing a magical digital dimension to the celebrations.
The app also featured a special Elmer filter, allowing users to transform themselves with Elmer’s iconic trunk and ears, helping spread the fun of Elmer Day across social media and reaching even more families around the world!
Left to right: Bantry Bookshop welcome 3D Elmer; Â Elmer visits a mall in Croatia; Booksellers at Spellbound Sandwich try out the Elmer selfie filter.
Elmer on the High Street
More than 100 bookshop ambassadors in the UK and Ireland took part in the celebrations, transforming stores nationwide with vibrant Elmer window displays, hosting story time and crafting sessions, and creating memorable experiences for young readers and their families.
Each store found its own way to bring Elmer’s colourful world to life, Waterstones Bluewater delighted visitors with a special costume story time visit, creating an unforgettable experience for young Elmer fans.
Among many others up and down the country, Waterstones Chichester, Manor Books Malahide and Waterstones Liverpool all celebrated with some bright and brilliant window and in-store displays, using the standees, stickers, bunting and of course the colourful Elmer books.
Left to right: Elmer visits Waterstones Bluewater John Lewis; Waterstones Chichester; Manor Books Malahide; Waterstones Liverpool.
Libraries, Schools and Nurseries Join the Celebration
Libraries and schools are the heart of Elmer Day, celebrating either in termtime or during half term, hundreds of locations hosted themed classes, crafting sessions and more over two weeks.
A special mention goes to Cannock Chase Library, who hosted a dedicated Elmer craft session with puppets and patchwork ears, while at Lady Lane Park School, pupils celebrated by decorating Elmer masks before taking part in a vibrant Elmer parade!
Left to right: Cannock Chase Library; Codsall Library; Elmer parade at Lady Park Lane School; Storytime at Monkey Puzzle Nursery, Twickenham
Celebrating at Home
Elmer Day isn’t limited to bookshops, libraries and schools. Families also joined the celebrations from home, sharing activities, crafts and story time moments online.
Content creators including @Elka.Growth.Journey, @NikkiandtheLittles and @BusyLittleUs helped us reach people at home, inspiring families to take part in Elmer-themed activities and celebrate the day together wherever they were.
Left to right: @nikkiandthelittles enjoy Elmer crafting with Great-Grandma; Elmer and the White Bear storytime with @elka.growth.journey; @busylittleus celebrate Elmer Day with and Elmer Book & Toy Gift set and backpack.
Elmer goes Global!
From the US to Istanbul, and from Serbia and Croatia to Japan and Germany, readers, families, schools, libraries and bookshops united in celebration of Elmer’s stories, encouraging children to discover the joy of reading while celebrating what makes each of us unique.
Left to right: Croatian publisher Profil celebrates with a giant standee, crafting and facepainting; book display in Serbia; @ozgelokmanhekim celebrates in Turkey.
Thank you!
Thank you to every bookseller, librarian, teacher, parent and young reader who helped make Elmer Day 2026 the biggest Elmer Day ever! We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year…
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