In 1997, the first annual Día celebrations were held in cities including El Paso and Austin. Texas has continued to support Día with celebrations in many places, and California is not far behind! Here’s what’s happening in 2018:

El Paso
This year mark’s El Paso Public Library’s 22nd Día celebration! Held on Saturday, April 28 in Washington Park from 10-4, the festivities routinely draw 20-30,000 attendees, giving away up to 30,000 books to children who might not otherwise have a book of their own. Follow them on Facebook.

The Texas Center for the Book at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Both organizations are involved Children’s Day, Book Day partners, encouraging libraries statewide to participate in Día through their newsletters, social media and the Lone Star Día website. This year, the Texas Center for the Book gave grants of $200 to assist Texas libraries who serve children in need in planning their celebrations.

Día San Francisco
San Francisco’s first Día celebration was in 1999 and each year the event grows in attendance and collaboration. Past celebrations have attracted over 800 children and their families who enjoy diverse performance groups, storytellers, literacy-related family activities, and the SFPL Bookmobile as well as the new mobile Librotero, a mobile book giveaway cart–instead of paletas, families choose libros to take home. This year’s celebration is on Sunday, April 29, 2018 from 1-4 with books, bubbles, dancing and hula hoops! Visit San Francisco’s official Día page or follow them on Facebook.

Yolo County Library (CA)
Yolo County celebrates Día in all of their branches! Children who attend these events will receive a free book and can participate in educational activities, watch a special performance, and listen to a story time program. Parents and caregivers will find helpful local resources from community organizations. Find out more.

Santa Ana
The City of Sanata Ana will hold their 10th annual Día celebration on Saturday, April 21. Watch a video from their 2017 celebration: