Every Saturday from June through August, the Hans Christian Andersen statue beside Central Park’s Boat Pond hosts one of Manhattan’s most cherished live storytelling traditions — and this year marks its 70th anniversary. World-class storytellers, often joined by musicians, perform fairytales, folklore, and personal tales for audiences of all ages, all for free, with no tickets or reservations required.
- When: Saturdays, 11 am – noon, through Aug. 29 (last one of the season)
- Where: Hans Christian Andersen Statue, Central Park — near the Boat Pond, East Side between 72nd and 75th Streets
- Cost: Free — no tickets, no registration, just show up
- Age range: All ages; storytellers adapt to mixed crowds
- 70th year of this tradition
The setting is part of the magic: shaded trees beside the pond, ducks swimming nearby, and a storyteller weaving tales of the Snow Queen, the Emperor’s New Clothes, and the Little Mermaid alongside personal stories and folklore from around the world. Each session becomes a small community of listeners — birds, squirrels, and pond ducks included.
This is one of those classic New York experiences that feels unchanged by time. The season wraps Aug. 29, so there are two Saturdays left. Bring a blanket, arrive a few minutes early, and let yourself get swept into a story.