Fairy tale lovers of all ages are invited to enjoy stories, crafts, games, and entertainment. Don your shiny suit of armor or sparkly ball gown, or dress like your favorite fairy tale character, and join us for an event of fantasy and frivolity.
The Eighteenth Annual Fairy Tale Ball is generously sponsored by Fred Schlipf and Diane Hillard.
Event Details
When: 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., April 17, 2026
Where: The Urbana Free Library
Age Group: Preschoolers, elementary schoolers, their families and caregivers.
Dress: Dress your fairy-tale best!
Registration: Registration is not required, please drop in!
Royal Entertainment
English Country Dancers
Busey-Mills Reading Room, First Floor | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Learn a country jig.
Peter and the Starcatcher
Lewis Auditorium, Ground Floor | 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 pm
Enjoy excerpts from the play performed by Champaign Park District’s Youth Theatre.
Bippity Bobbity Bubbles
Cherry Alley | 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Catch magical bubbles!
Enchanted Face Paint Palace*
MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room, Ground Floor | All Evening
A brush of magic turns every face into a royal masterpiece.
Book Fortune Telling
Welcome Desk, First Floor | All Evening
Get matched with a great read.
Royal Heralds
Green Street Entrance, First Floor
Have your arrival announced as you enter the ball!
Joe Reichlin- Juggler, Storyteller, and Signer
Throughout the Library | All Evening
Spot Joe! He’ll be singing and juggling all over the ball!
Activities - All Evening
Search for the Spellcasters
Throughout the Library
Find the five spellcasters who have a secret message for you!
Craft – Magic Wand
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
Create a magic wand with paper and glue.
Enchanters’ Realm
Megan’s Reading Room, Ground Floor
Found the spellcasters and built your wand? Cast a spell!
Habitat Imaginarium Sensory Table
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
Build a habitat for a magical creature!
Build a Castle
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
Stack the blocks and build your own royal castle.
Wish Upon a Star
Children’s Area, Ground Floor
Make a wish in our wishing well.
Quiet Time Grotto
Satterthwaite Conference Room, Ground Floor
Take a pause from the medieval mayhem.
Storybook Maze
Fiction Area, First Floor
Over the shelves and through the stacks, to the Library you go!
Royal Arrow Games*
Reading Room, First Floor
Where young archers aim for glory and the bullseye.
Magical Moments Photos
New Browsing Area, First Floor
Capture the magic of the evening with a photo.
Dragon Academy*
Second Floor
The best place to craft your lifelong friend.
Craft – Light the Way Lanterns
Archives, Second Floor
Create a lantern to light the way as you explore the dark nooks and crannies of the library.
This year's decorations were designed and created by U of I Department of Theatre BFA students.
Designs by: Sean Meeks, Noir Navarrete-Aguilar, and Cody Rummenie (Scenic Design BFA)
Technical coordination by: Rhys Mix (Arts and Entertainment Technology BFA)
Prod. Manager: Amelia Jones (Stage Management BFA)
The magic wand craft was designed and provided by the IDEA Store.
*Activities designed by U of I students from RST 460.