Independent Bookstore Day is Saturday, April 25th, 2026. You can pick up a passport, collect stamps and earn 20% off a future purchase at each bookstore!
Although Independent Bookstore Day isn’t an official holiday by any means, it might as well be at our house. We love independent bookstores as all of us are avid readers! If you like finding new books at local bookstores, mark your calendar for Saturday, April 25th, 2026!
When you visit a local bookstore between Wednesday, April 22nd and Sunday, April 26th, you will have the opportunity to get your 2026 Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport stamped. Each stamp is worth one 20% off a future purchase at the bookstore where you received the stamp.
Collect multiple stamps and you can enter to win prizes! If you collect 10 more stamps, you can get discounts at all the bookstores, collect 20 or more stamps you can enter to win prize packs and if you collect all 30 stamps you can enter to win the Grand Prize!
Look at how adorable the map is too! I just love the illustrations by Kevin Cannon. Special shout outs to my favorite bookstores (and highly recommended stops): Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, The Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Tropes and Trifles in Mpls and Wild Rumpus Books in Mpls. You can find the full list of participating bookstores here.
What is Independent Bookstore Day?
Typically Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Every store is unique and independent, and every party is different. But in addition to authors, live music, cupcakes, scavenger hunts, kids events, art tables, readings, barbecues, contests, and other fun stuff, there are exclusive books and literary items that you can only get on that day.
Why are we celebrating independent bookstores?
Independent bookstores are not just stores, they’re community centers and local anchors run by passionate readers. They are entire universes of ideas that contain the possibility of real serendipity. They are lively performance spaces and quiet places where aimless perusal is a day well spent.
In a world of tweets and algorithms and pageless digital downloads, bookstores are not a dying anachronism. They are living, breathing organisms that continue to grow and expand. In fact, there are more of them this year than there were last year. And they are at your service.
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Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.
Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.
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