Twin Cities Book Festival

Bibliophiles, unite! Clear your calendar for the Twin Cities Book Festival happening at Union Depot in St. Paul.

The Twin Cities Book Festival takes place this Saturday, November 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Union Depot in St. Paul. (Note the location change: in previous years, it has been at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.) It’s a free event, which of course makes it even better for all the book lovers in your life!

Highlights & Schedule Snapshots

Here are some of the standout sessions you won’t want to miss:

• 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Concourse Level — Info Booth, raffle & giveaways, coffee station and more lounge-style spaces.
• 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Waiting Room Level 1 — The Book Fair featuring 140+ exhibitors and Rain Taxi’s annual used-book & record sale.
• Children’s Corner (Head House Level 1) | 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Fun author events for young readers:
  • 10:00–10:30 a.m.: Leaf Town Forever with Betsy Bowen, Beth & Kathleen Rooney.
  • 10:30–11:00 a.m.: How to Draw a Tree with David LaRochelle & Colleen Muske.
• Second Floor Sessions
  • 10:00 a.m. | Keynote with Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl) in the Red Cap Room.
  • Other themed panels throughout the afternoon: YA fiction, graphic novels, poetry, and more.

About the Twin Cities Book Festival

Rain Taxi launched the Twin Cities Book Festival in 2001 as a way to support readers, writers, publishers, and booksellers, as well as to engage the Twin Cities literary community in an exchange of ideas.

While writing and reading are usually solitary activities, the TCBF is a way to celebrate writing in community and acknowledge the social value of writing as an art form. Part of Rain Taxi’s mission is to call attention to the abundance and diversity of contemporary literature, and the Festival surely does that, while bringing pride to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area as a reading capital of the US.

Activities to Look Forward To

General Activities (All Day)

• 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Info booth, raffle & giveaways, coffee station in the Concourse.
• 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Book Fair with 140+ exhibitors and the used-book/record sale in the Waiting Room.
• 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Break area with seating, games, and mural art in the Concourse.

Children & Family Programming (Head House / Activity Hub)

• 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.: Leaf Town Forever with Betsy Bowen, Beth & Kathleen Rooney.
• 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.: How To Draw A Tree with David LaRochelle & Colleen Muske.
• 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Picture Book Showcase with multiple authors.
• 12:00 – 12:30 p.m.: True Stories session with Mélina Mangal & Caren Stelson.
• 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Community Mural & Scavenger Hunt activities.
• 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: String Crafts.
• 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Free cartoon portraits; Cartooning for Writers.
• 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.: Manga Drawing Workshop.
• 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Typewriter Poems.
• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Recipe Swap with Stephanie Hansen.

Main Stage Author Sessions (Red Cap Room)

• 10:00 a.m.: Eoin Colfer
• 11:00 a.m.: Stephanie Burt
• 12:00 p.m.: Medaria Arradondo & Steve Grove.
• 1:00 p.m.: George O’Connor, Tyler Page & Misako Rocks.
• 2:00 p.m.: Idris Goodwin, Selina Li Bi & Vanessa L. Torres.
• 3:00 p.m.: Jane Hamilton, Anika Fajardo & Erin O. White.

Minnesota Author Showcase (Riverview Room)

• 10:30 a.m.: Debut Novels — Raki Kopernik, Damion Searls, Christopher Tradowsky.
• 11:00 a.m.: Middle Grade Fiction — H.M. Bouwman, Matt Eicheldinger.
• 11:30 a.m.: Histories — Tim Brady, Dave Hage, Josephine Marcotty.
• 12:00 p.m.: Mysteries — Tasha Coryell, Andrew DeYoung, Toni Halleen, David Housewright, Rebecca Kanner, Mindy Mejia, Joshua Moehling.
• 1:00 p.m.: Essays — Peg Guilfoyle, Kathryn Nuernberger.
• 1:30 p.m.: Sciences — Ruth DeFoster, Nate Pedersen.
• 2:00 p.m.: Poetry — Paula Cisewski, MC Hyland, Mubanga Kalimamukwento.
• 2:30 p.m.: Journeys — Frank Bures, Patrick Hicks.
• 3:00 p.m.: Life Stories — Bronson Lemer, Kelly Foster Lundquist.
• 3:30 p.m.: The MN Novel — Kevin Fenton, Thomas Maltman, Kent Nerburn.

Need a ride? You can hop on the bus for a FREE ride to the Twin Cities Book Festival! Click HERE and answer the survey questions to download your free bus pass.

Why You Should Attend

The Twin Cities Book Festival is one of the best ways to celebrate reading, creativity, and community all in one place. Whether you’re an avid reader, a parent looking to spark your kids’ love of books, or simply curious about Minnesota’s vibrant literary scene, this festival has something for everyone. You’ll have the chance to meet local and national authors, listen to engaging panel discussions, and even get your favorite books signed. The Children’s Pavilion offers hands-on crafts, storytimes, and art activities perfect for younger readers. At the same time, the main and Riverview stages feature thought-provoking talks from bestselling writers, poets, and illustrators. With the massive book fair, family-friendly atmosphere, and free admission, it’s the perfect Saturday outing for book lovers of all ages.

See you there!