Shakespeare's Birthday Celebration

The beloved annual tradition returns: Celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday at the Folger with fun, family-friendly activities and birthday cupcakes for all!

Doors open at 11:00am for visitors to explore the exhibition halls, theatre, and Reading Room, where docents will be on hand to answer questions. Printing press demonstrations will take place in the Shakespeare Exhibition Hall from 11:30am – 1:00pm and 2:00pm – 3:30pm.

At 1:00pm, join us outside for ruff-making, lawn games, face painting, coloring, and a sonnet-writing competition. Enjoy a puppet show version of Twelfth Night, learn some Elizabethan dance steps, and don’t miss the sword-fighting demonstration! We’ll sing “Happy Birthday” to Shakespeare around 2:45pm and serve birthday cupcakes to all.

Schedule

• 11:00am: Doors open
• 11:30am – 1:00pm: Printing press demonstration #1
• 1:00pm: Outdoor activities begin
• 2:00pm – 3:30pm: Printing press demonstration #2
• 2:45pm: Birthday cupcakes are served
• 3:00pm: Outdoor activities conclude

Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture

Stick around and join us at 7:00pm for the annual Shakespeare’s Birthday Lecture, delivered this year by Folger Director Farah Karim-Cooper on the topic of “Shakespeare Beyond Relevance.” Free registration is required to attend the lecture.