Minnesota Events for Writers and Book Lovers in 2026

Minnesota is a great state for conferences, conventions, fairs, and other events centered on books and writing. Whether you’re publishing your first novel, hoping to meet your favorite author, networking for your editing business, or looking to sharpen your skills as a writer, there’s sure to be at least one event up your alley. Here’s what you can look forward to in 2026!

Some of the events on this list are specifically aimed at improving your writing or finding a publisher, some are reader-focused, and some involve authors and literature as part of a wider range of activities. The best thing to do is to check out each event’s website to get a feel for what it offers. Where an event has provided a public policy related to COVID, I’ve included that information.

For author readings, public book clubs, and other small events, I recommend bookmarking Rain Taxi’s literary events calendar (and checking out the map of Minnesota independent bookstores at the bottom of this guide). And be sure to browse the wider Twin Cities Geek Minnesota Convention Guide—I’ve included the most reader- and writer-focused cons from that list here, but there are plenty of others you might enjoy.

Our Values

Twin Cities Geek provides and supports spaces where topics important to members of Minnesota geek communities can be discussed in fun, constructive, responsible, and impactful ways. Inclusion, respect, and safety are important to us. Although a convention being on this list does not constitute an endorsement of that particular event, we do not include a con if we know that it or its organizers conflict with our mission and values. If you feel that one of the events below is incompatible with Twin Cities Geek as an organization, we encourage you to contact us with your concerns.

The 2024 Twin Cities Book Festival at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. The TCBF moved to the Union Depot in 2025. Madeleine Vasaly

While we do our best to add newly announced events and major changes as we become aware of them, we can’t guarantee that every event listing will be updated following the original publication of this guide. Always check convention websites for the most up-to-date information. If you’re an organizer who’d like to provide us with updated information or request that your event be added, please contact us.

Last updated June 25, 2026

Winter

MarsCon

When: March 6–8, 2026
Where: Hilton Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport, Bloomington
What: Sci-fi and fantasy fan convention

Sports Romance Con

When: March 13–15, 2026
Where: Radisson Blu Mall of America, Bloomington
What: Sports-themed romance convention

Rosemount Writers Festival

When: March 14, 2026
Where: Steeple Center, Rosemount
What: Local festival for writers and readers

Young Authors Conference

When: March 19, 2026 (also May 26–28)
Where: Bethel University, Arden Hills
What: Conference for students, arranged as a field trip by elementary and high school groups

Spring

Minicon

When: April 2½–5, 2026
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington–Minneapolis South
What: Sci-fi and fantasy fan convention sponsored by the Minnesota Science Fiction Society (Minn-StF)

Minnesota Writing Workshop

When: April 11, 2026
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Bloomington / Minneapolis
What: Full-day workshop for writers focusing on how to get published

Minnesota Black Authors Expo

When: April 11, 2026
Where: George Latimer Central Library, St. Paul
What: A free expo focused on supporting Black authors of “every genre and age”

Rewind Book Fair

When: April 18–19, 2026
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand, Falcon Heights
What: A nostalgic book fair for adults

Teen Lit Con

When: April 25, 2026
Where: Two Rivers High School, Mendota Heights
What: One-day event dedicated to teen literature, reading, and writing

Independent Bookstore Day

When: April 25, 2026
Where: Bookstores throughout Minnesota
What: A national holiday celebrating indie bookstores (watch for our annual guide to what local shops have planned)

The Fore Edge Fair

When: May 4, 2026
Where: Online
What: Virtual artist book fair and sale by the Minnesota Center for Book Arts

Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony

When: May 6, 2026
Where: Ordway Center for Performing Arts, St. Paul
What: Cocktail reception and ceremony dinner announcing the winners of this year’s Minnesota Book Awards

Honey & Jalapeño Romance Book Fair

When: May 17, 2026
Where: Big Wood Brewery, Vadnais Heights
What: Romance-themed book fair

FLOP! A Small Press Comix Show

When: May 23–24, 2026
Where: Odd Mart, Minneapolis
What: Comics and zines show featuring independent creators and small presses

Young Authors Conference

When: May 26–28, 2026 (also March 19)
Where: Bethel University, Arden Hills
What: Conference for students, arranged as a field trip by elementary and high school groups

Summer

Note: Autoptic planned to return in 2026 but has postponed to 2027.

Narrativity

When: June 4–7, 2026
Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth
What: Writing convention
COVID-19 Policy: Full vaccination is required for attendance, including at least one booster shot, and masks are strongly recommended. (Full Policy)

Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) SpringCon

When: June 6, 2026
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Education Building, Falcon Heights
What: Comic convention

4th Street Fantasy

When: June 19–21, 2026
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis–Park Place
What: Small fantasy storytelling convention
COVID-19 Policy: Masking is required in convention spaces, and attendees must provide proof of a same-day negative COVID test at the registration desk on the first day of the convention. (Full Policy)

Midwest Bookish Fest

When: June 19–21, 2026
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington–Minneapolis South
What: Hotel fan convention focused on books

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference

When: June 23–26, 2026
Where: Bemidji State University
What: Limited-attendance writer’s retreat

Minnesota Antiquarian Book Fair

When: June 27, 2026
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds North End Event Center, Falcon Heights
What: The place to buy old and rare books

The lobby at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, the venue for CONvergence. Madeleine Vasaly

CONvergence

When: July 2–5, 2026
Where: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, downtown
What: Multigenre fan convention (Twin Cities Geek is a community partner of CONvergence and will have a table at the convention)
COVID-19 Policy: Masking and vaccination are strongly recommended. N95/KN95 masks will be provided. (Full Policy) CONvergence offers some virtual programming; details will be posted on the CVG-TV page of the convention website.

Inbound BrewCo Book Fair for Grown Ups

When: July 11, 2026
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand, Falcon Heights
What: Book fair for adults

Diversicon

When: July 24–26, 2026
Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West, Plymouth
What: Fan con focusing on diverse speculative fiction

Northwoods Art and Book Festival

When: August 8, 2026
Where: Hackensack, Minnesota
What: Free festival organized by the Northwoods Arts Council

Bookstore Romance Day

When: August 15, 2026
Where: Bookstores throughout Minnesota
What: A national holiday celebrating romance literature and independent bookstores

Fall

Deep Valley Book Festival

When: October 3, 2026
Where: Courtyard by Marriott Event Center, Mankato
What: Free family-friendly book festival

Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) FallCon

When: October 10–11, 2026
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand, Falcon Heights
What: Comic convention

Opus & Olives

When: October 11, 2026
Where: St. Paul RiverCentre
What: The annual fundraising gala for the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, featuring author guests, a cocktail reception, dinner, and live entertainment

Bloodcurdling Book Bash

When: October 17, 2026
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington–Minneapolis South
What: One-day festival for horror and thriller readers

Fables and Flames

When: November 6–8, 2026
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport, Bloomington
What: Fan convention and gala for fantasy romance readers

Twin Cities Book Festival

When: November 7, 2026
Where: St. Paul Union Depot
What: “THE annual get together for devoted book lovers from the Twin Cities and beyond!”

Twin Cities Con

When: November 20–22, 2026
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, downtown Minneapolis
Focus: Fandom/pop culture expo convention that includes some authors and comic book creators among its exhibitors and guests

Minnesota Children’s Book Festival

When: September 19, 2026
Where: Anderson Center at Tower View, Red Wing
What: Celebration of children’s literature with author and illustrator appearances, kids’ activities, tours of the Anderson Center water tower, and more

A past Publisher/Freelancer Happy Hour at Lake Monster Brewing in St. Paul. Madeleine Vasaly

Ongoing

Lit & Libations

When: Third Thursdays
Where: King Coil Spirits, St. Paul
What: A monthly cocktail event and book fair

Publisher/Freelancer Social Hours

When: Usually once a season in spring, summer, and fall
Where: Locations throughout the Twin Cities
What: The Professional Editors Network and the Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable cohost these free, casual events several times a year for those who work in or are interested in publishing—watch the PEN calendar or follow the organizations on social media for venue announcements

TBA and Tentative

The following events are usually held every year but haven’t always followed a set schedule and haven’t yet announced 2026 plans:

• Cracked Walnut Literary Festival
• Queer Writes Book Fair
• ToshoCon (St. Paul Public Libraries event)

So, will you be hitting any of these events this year? Is there anything you think is missing from this list? Email me or let us know in the comments!