You’ve heard of World Book Day – but get ready for World Book Night

Posted on April 20, 2026 in UK

Everyone’s heard of World Book Day – but why not get involved with World Book Night?

World Book Day took place last month, on 5th March, but there’s still time to prepare for World Book Night, which takes place on 23rd April.

So, what actually is World Book Night? It was started in the UK and Ireland in 2011, initially on 5th March too, however later moved to 23rd April to coincide with the UNESCO International Day of the Book. It consists of the #ReadingHour, which happens from 7-8pm. During this #ReadingHour, participants are encouraged to engage with reading in any way, shape or form.

Examples include hosting a book club, listening to an audiobook, reading as a family – or just reading whatever book you have on the go at the moment! During the day, you could visit a local library, organise a book swap with friends, or go book shopping.

You could use the hour to start a book you’ve been meaning to read for a while, or read a short story. Fiction or non-fiction, fantasy to cookbook, it’s a chance to explore your interests.

World Book Night is a fun, achievable way to engage with reading, whether that be in a social setting or alone. Whether you’re a voracious reader or you haven’t picked up a book in years, World Book Night is for you. It allows anyone, anywhere, to get involved – regardless of what that looks like. It doesn’t even have to be the whole hour!

We all know the benefits of reading: it lowers stress, improves cognition, and boosts creativity. World Book Night provides a structured opportunity for reading, reducing many of the obstacles (lack of time or motivation) to these benefits.

More than that – it does so in a way that brings people together. Whether you are reading alone or not, the #ReadingHour creates a community of readers.

What better way to get involved and celebrate the National Year of Reading?

Find out more on the World Book Night website.

Written by Marnie McPartland