The MN Guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2026

The MN Guide to Independent Bookstore Day 2026

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It’s that time of year! On April 25, 2026, bookstores throughout Minnesota and around the country will be celebrating Independent Bookstore Day.

Officially participating stores will have exclusive Independent Bookstore Day items while supplies last, which usually isn’t long—tote bags, advance reader copies (ARCs), fancy pencils, puzzles, and more—and may have sales and other special promotions. Locally, there are almost 40 stores participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport, which offers shoppers chances to unlock coupons and win prizes during the week leading up to Indie Bookstore Day, and there are smaller-scale programs elsewhere in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap is also back. As always, both the Twin Cities passport and the roadmap feature illustrations by Twin Cities cartoonist Kevin Cannon.

News since last year’s Independent Bookstore Day:

2026 IBD passport featuring a swimming loon in glasses reading a book

Rain Taxi

Many of the bookstores in this guide are participating in one or more of the following local, statewide, and national programs.

Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport: Pick up a passport at any of the participating metro-area stores, listed on the Rain Taxi website and noted in the listings below, now through April 26. Each store visit during this week earns you a passport stamp that activates a coupon you can use on another visit. Collect 10 stamps to activate all the coupons; collect 20 or more to enter a prize pack drawing; and collect 30 or more for the grand prize drawing.

Twin Ports & North Shore Independent Bookstore Day Passport: Pick up a passport from one of the participating stores and get a discount on your purchase, plus get an extra coupon and a chance to win prizes if you visit at least four. Included in this program are the Amazing Alonzo, Back Forty Books, the Bookstore at Fitger’s, Chester Creek Books, Crow & Co., Foxes & Fireflies, and Zenith Bookstore.

Chisago Lakes, East Central Minnesota, and St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl: Eight bookstores are participating in a local book crawl on both Saturday and Sunday (see the link for hours). Participating stores are Twinflower Books (pop-up at Uncommon Loon Brewery in Chisago City), Wolfe Tomes in Lindstrom, Sharp Reads in Taylors Falls, the Bookstore in Pine City, Scout & Morgan in Cambridge, Dana’s Bookstore in Isanti, the Enchanted Quill in North Branch, and River Stone Bookshop & Coffee Stop in Oceola.

Western Wisconsin Bookstore Crawl: Now through April 25, visit each of the participating bookstores to get your postcard stamped and enjoy 10% off a purchase. There will also be “raffles at each stop along the way for a chance to win a variety of bookish prizes,” and completing the crawl lets you enter to win a grand prize of $250 in gift cards ($50 from each store). The participating stores are Chapter2 Books, Fox Den Books, Dotters Books, Amanita Books, and Dragon Tale Books.

Midwest Indie Bookstore Roadmap: Win prizes by shopping at any of the stores featured on this map from the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA), either online or in person, between April 25, 2026, and next year’s Independent Bookstore Day. Take a picture of your purchase and post it on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with the hashtag #MIBARoadmapContest, plus tag the store and MIBA in the post. MIBA will randomly select one entry each month to win a $50 gift card to the bookstore of the winner’s choice—and on next year’s Indie Bookstore Day, one grand-prize winner from all of the year’s entries will win a $500 gift card. The more stores you shop at and tag, the more likely you are to win the grand prize. The Bookstore Roadmap includes most (but not all!) independent bookstores in the state.

Libro.fm: This platform, which allows you to buy audiobooks while supporting your favorite local bookstore, is having a sale on select bestselling titles now through April 26. Additionally, a golden ticket will be hidden in select bookstores, good for 12 audiobook credits on Libro.fm if you find it—see the listings below to see which stores are participating and find the full rules on the Libro.fm website.

For more news and info on Independent Bookstore Day, follow IndieBound on social media or visit IndieBookstoreDay.com.

This list may be updated after initial publication as more information becomes available. All listed sales and events are limited to April 25 except for the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Western Wisconsin Bookstore Crawl (as described above) and where otherwise noted.

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Minneapolis

Babycake’s Book Stack is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. This mobile bookstore will be parked at Moon Palace Books on Saturday along with Blackberry Bakery.

Big Hill Books in Bryn Mawr is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. Note that due to the I-394/Penn Avenue road construction that started in February 2026, there are short detours around the store. See the Big Hill website for more information.

Birchbark Books in Kenwood is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Boneshaker Books, now in the Whittier neighborhood, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and offering a free print with purchase. Visitors who show they’ve collected stamps from Boneshaker and Once Upon a Crime can get 15% off orders at neighboring Dreamstate Cafe, which will have special drinks inspired by both stores. The store is hosting the Queer Voices Literary Reading from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Book House in Dinkytown, which is celebrating its 50th year in business, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. All books will be 20% off on both Saturday and Sunday, and poetry books are 20% off all month for National Poetry Month.

Comma in Linden Hills is open extended hours (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.); participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket; and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items, Blackwing pencils, and signed special editions from S. A. Crosby and Xochitl Gonzalez. Get a free advance reader copy with a donation of any amount to Unidos MN or Groundwork Legal. Finally, Comma is partnering with Wild Rumpus and Picture Book Parade for a “story stroll”: Signs will be posted between the two bookstores featuring pages from of Where We Come From by local authors John Coy, Shannon Gibney, Sun Yung Shin, and Diane Wilson, illustrated by Dion MBD. Wild Rumpus co-owner Timothy Ott says, “During the excitement and joy of IBD, we encourage folks to slow down and reflect on where we come from and where we can go when we build the world together while they stroll between our two stores to get their passports stamped.”

DreamHaven Books and Comics in South Minneapolis is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Eat My Words Bookstore in Marcy-Holmes/St. Anthony (formerly located in Northeast) is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Inkwell Booksellers in Marcy-Holmes/St. Anthony is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

At the Irreverent Bookworm in South Minneapolis, the first five customers at noon will receive a 20% off coupon. All shoppers can enter to win a Favorite Bookstores bundle, which includes a gift certificate from the Irreverent Bookworm plus three other Minneapolis bookstores, and pick up free snacks and beverages from the refreshments table. Watch the store’s social media for more details and updates.

Magers & Quinn Booksellers in Uptown is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Mayday Books on the U of M’s West Bank is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be offering its usual discount of 15% off paperbacks and 20% off new hardcover books.

Milkweed Books at Open Book near downtown Minneapolis is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. The store will have treats and a number of promotions: Buy three books, get a little surprise; buy four books, get a big prize; buy 10 or more books, get a “discount of a decent size”; and sign up for a Milkweed membership and get a free tote bag, a free copy of Dear Memory by Victoria Chang, and a member discount.

Moon Palace Books in Longfellow is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items along with new Moon Palace merch. As noted above, Babycake’s Book Stack and Blackberry Bakery will be parked outside.

Once Upon a Crime in Whittier is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket. Visitors who show they’ve collected stamps from Boneshaker and Once Upon a Crime can get 15% off orders at neighboring Dreamstate Cafe, which will have special drinks inspired by both stores.

Strive Bookstore on Nicollet Mall is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. The store has a new home in inside the Medical Arts Building at 825 Nicollet Mall (enter through the side door at 74 South 9th Street).

The interior of Tropes & Trifles

Tropes & Trifles in Minneapolis. Madeleine Vasaly

Tropes & Trifles in the Standish neighborhood is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket.

Uncle Edgar’s Mystery Bookstore and Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore in Longfellow is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Wild Rumpus Books for Young Readers in Linden Hills is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket. The store will have official Indie Bookstore Day items and giveaways while supplies last. As noted above, the store is also partnering with Comma and Picture Book Parade for a “story stroll”: Signs will be posted between the two bookstores featuring pages from of Where We Come From by local authors John Coy, Shannon Gibney, Sun Yung Shin, and Diane Wilson, illustrated by Dion MBD. Co-owner Timothy Ott says, “During the excitement and joy of IBD, we encourage folks to slow down and reflect on where we come from and where we can go when we build the world together while they stroll between our two stores to get their passports stamped.”

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St. Paul

Acorn Bookshop, newly open in Milton Square (former location of Winding Trail Books and now also home to Mind’s Eye Comics), is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Against the Current in Macalester-Groveland is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Black Garnet Books in the Midway neighborhood is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and will be offering a number of giveaways and freebies: a free exclusive tote bag for the first 100 purchases of the day, a raffle for purchases above $50 (the prize is a $50 gift card and two advance reader copies), free commemorative buttons and bookmarks, and free cake pops while supplies last. There will also be a reading from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. with poets L. M. Brimmer and Marlin M. Jenkins.

Midway Used and Rare Books in St. Paul is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Next Chapter Booksellers in Macalester-Groveland is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items (“including the fan favorite Blackwing pencils!”). There will also be free coffee for early shoppers as well as freebies and giveaways. Finally, the store is kicking off Indie Bookstore Day weekend a few days early with a free event featuring local cookbook author and blogger Sarah Peterson (Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart) on Thursday, April 23, at 6:00 p.m. (“We also have it on deliciously good authority that she might even bring some samples from a few of the book’s recipes!”)

Red Balloon Bookshop in Cathedral Hill is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket and will have exclusive items and giveaways, including a special IBD mini print that will be mixed into the store’s regular Richard Scarry Inciardi mini print machine for the day.

Story Line Books in the St. Paul Union Depot is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. Watch the store’s website or social media “for more about special events, contests, and other goodies.”

SubText Books in downtown St. Paul is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

The Next Chapter Books storefront with a bike parked out front

Next Chapter Booksellers in St. Paul. Madeleine Vasaly

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Greater Twin Cities Metro

Avant Garden in Anoka is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. Author Cristina Oxtra will be leading the store’s weekly Saturday story hour from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Black Letter Books in Stillwater is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Cream and Amber in Hopkins is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket. Staff picks will be 15% off in store, and all online book orders will be 10% off.

Excelsior Bay Books in Excelsior is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Lake Country Booksellers in White Bear Lake is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport.

Little Charity Book Truck will be parked outside Base Camp Coffee & Provisions and Unmapped Brewing in Minnetonka from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will also be a makers market inside the brewery from noon to 4:00 p.m.

Niche Books in Lakeville is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items (plus new Niche Books merch). Used books will be 20% off all day. Find more information on the store’s website.

The Thinking Spot in Wayzata is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items. The store is open extended hours (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and will have a variety of freebies in giveaways—find the full details on the store website.

Valley Bookseller in Stillwater is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Libro.fm golden ticket. In the store, there will be on-the-hour drawings for Valley Bookseller gift cards, coffee mugs, merch, and other goodies, plus get a free tote bag with purchases of $75 or more while supplies last. Online, there will be a gift card drawing for all website orders placed on Independent Bookstore Day.

The Vintage Storyteller is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport. This is the last weekend in its current location at 5260 Highway 12 in Maple Plain ahead of moving to a larger space in Delano. The store is open extended hours and will have giveaways and “some surprises” Wednesday through Sunday, April 22 to 26.

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Outside the Metro

The Amazing Alonzo in Duluth and Back Forty Books in Two Harbors are participating in the Twin Ports bookstore passport.

Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery in Park Rapids is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items. The store will be offering prize drawings, giveaways, and freebies all day, including refreshments, a free advance reader copy with any purchase, and fun stuff for kids.

Big Pine Books in Perham will have official Indie Bookstore Day items. Every purchase gets you a free advance reader copy and an entry into a grand prize drawing, and you can also visit the Book Haul photo booth.

Books Revisited in St. Cloud will be offering official Indie Bookstore Day items, 20% off everything, giveaways, and complimentary refreshments. The store is also hosting author Jess Lourey from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. as part of the book tour for her new novel The Verdant Cage.

Buffalo Books & Coffee in Buffalo will have “drawings for prizes, special merchandise for sale, a book signing with local author Richard Ebert, free giveaways, and much more.”

The Bookstore at Fitger’s in Duluth is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket and Twin Ports bookstore passport, as well as Bookstore Spirit Week in the lead-up to Indie Bookstore Day; see the store newsletter for more information.

The Bookstore in Pine City is participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl and Libro.fm golden ticket.

Cherry Street Books in Alexandria will be open regular hours and holding its usual Saturday children’s story hour at 10:00 a.m.

Content Bookstore in Northfield is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket will have official Indie Bookstore Day items. Customers can get an IBD tote free when they spend $100 or more, and every purchase also enters you to win the Tote of Contentment, “a classy canvas bag of bookish riches.” There will be a scavenger hunt running throughout the day—complete it for a “small bookish prize” (while supplies last).

Crow & Co. pop-up bookstore is participating in the Twin Ports bookstore passport and will be at Ritual Salad & Marketplace (Superior) on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Bent Paddle taproom (Duluth) on Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.  Bring in up to four gently used tarot decks on Saturday for a tarot swap from 1:00 t0 3:00 p.m. and up to four gently used books Sunday.

Dana’s Bookstore in Isanti is closed Saturday but open Sunday from 11:00 to 4:00 p.m. The store is participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl and Libro.fm golden ticket, and all items in the store will be buy two, get one free.

Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais is hosting a free talk by author Laurie Hertzel for her new book, Ghosts of Fourth Street, at the Grand Marais Public Library starting at 6:00 p.m.

The Enchanted Quill in North Branch is participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl and Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items. Shoppers earn double loyalty points on purchases, and the store will host spicy romance author Melissa Lam at 4:00 p.m.

Fair Trade Books in Red Wing is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket. Shoppers can get free gift bookbags, advanced reader copies, and other books with purchase. There will also be “special snacks, music, and a special four-legged guest.”

Four Pines Bookstore in Bemidji will be open early (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket. Sota Sips coffee cart will be at the store from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., during which there will be random coffee winners. Get 10% off books, pick up a kids take-home activity kit, or get a free “blind date with a book” with every $45 purchase while supplies last.

Haven Books and Gifts in Big Lake will be announcing events on its Facebook event page.

Hey Darling in Austin is hosting R Squared Designs and a whole roster of authors between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.: Harloe Rae, Kathy Haan, Kaila Spencer, Adeline Bryant, Grayce Rian, J. E. Joyce, Melissa Lam, Cozy Dobis, Emma Kathleen, Dean Robert Holmes, and Jayde Seraphine. There will also be giveaways and gifts with purchase.

At Little Professor Book Center in Owatonna, everything except magazines will be 20% off.

More Than Words in Moorhead is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket. The store is celebrating bookstore spirit week leading up to Saturday and hosting an IBD preparty from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, featuring beverages, a bookshop scavenger hunt, and MTW bucks with any $20+ purchase to spend on Indie Bookstore Day. Watch the store’s Facebook page for more information on these and other happenings on Saturday.

Paperbacks and Pieces in Winona is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket and hosting authors Shawn McGuire, Ann Schreiber, and Kathryn Sullivan. Most items in the store will be 10% off, and you can purchase a $5.99 tote with advance reader copies, merch, bookmarks, and more when you spend $30 (before tax). Stumpy’s Food Truck will be at the store for lunch.

Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge is participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl and Libro.fm golden ticket. All in-stock new and used books will be 20% off, official Independent Bookstore Day items will be available, and shoppers can get free books and gifts with book purchase.

Sharp Reads in Taylors Falls is participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl.

Sweet Reads in Austin is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket.

Twinflower Books will be running a pop-up at Uncommon Loon Brewery in Chisago City and participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl.

Wildflower Bookshop in Grand Rapids will have “Prizes, Local Authors and more!”

Wolfe Tomes in Lindstrom is participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl.

Zenith Bookstore in Duluth is participating in the Twin Ports bookstore passport. The store will have snacks, drinks, exclusive items for sale, and free advance reader copies with any purchase. From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Duluth author Alex Messenger will be in the store for a signing of his new book, The Ice on the Lake; from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., the League of Women Voters of Duluth will be helping people register to vote and answering questions. The store will also be donating 10% of its sales for the day to Save the Boundary Waters.

Other Minnesota bookstores to visit online or in person (be sure to check hours) include:

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Outside Minnesota

Chapter2Books in Hudson, Wisconsin, is participating in the Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and Western Wisconsin Bookstore Crawl and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items. The store will be open extended hours (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and offering complimentary vinyl stickers with purchases of $10 or more (while supplies last), canvas tote bags “outfitted with a signed ARC and bookish bling” for the first 30 purchases over $50, and a “Last Chance Sidewalk Sale.” Finally, the following authors will be on site:  Stephanie Landsem (The Fault Between Us) from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., Ken Goin (The Clometheons) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., a still-to-be-announced children’s author/illustrator from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., Steve Fox (These Are My People: Stories) from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., and Monica DeLoy (The Song of Sunrise) from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Chester Creek Books in Duluth is participating in the Twin Ports bookstore passport.

Crow & Co. pop-up bookstore is participating in the Twin Ports bookstore passport and will be at Ritual Salad & Marketplace (Superior) on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Bent Paddle taproom (Duluth) on Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m.  Bring in up to four gently used tarot decks on Saturday for a tarot swap from 1:00 t0 3:00 p.m. and up to four gently used books Sunday.

Dragonfly Books in Decorah, Iowa, is participating in the Libro.fm golden ticket and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items. Get 20% off everything you can fit in the store’s exclusive IBD tote, enjoy balloon twisting courtesy of Twisted by Mariann from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and participate in the children’s book scavenger hunt.

Foxes & Fireflies Booksellers in Superior, Wisconsin, is participating in the Twin Ports bookstore passport and will have official Indie Bookstore Day items, a 50% off book table, two local authors, and cookies. The store will be open late on Saturday.

Full Circle Book Co-Op in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, will be having a $25 tote bag sale (“fill a house screen printed tote bag with any books $8 or under… that’s a whole lot of books, and it’s $10 off our regular price, so come and get your summer reads ready!”), happy hour from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ($2 off taps and $1 off glasses of wine), live jazz with Jacob Moeller, and a free bookmark and pin with every purchase while supplies last.

Pearl Street Books in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, will have “fun in-store activities, special giveaways, and surprises for the early birds.”

River Stone Bookshop & Coffee Stop in Oceola, Wisconsin, is participating in the Chisago Lakes/East Central/St. Croix River Valley Book Crawl. The store is also hosting a micro memoir workshop ($35) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Silver Dawn Books in Grand Forks will have a prize drawing, specials, and three authors in the store throughout the day: Anthony Northrup (noon), Hannah Dewey (12:30 p.m.), Shane Mendez (2:00 p.m.).

Driftless Books and Music (Viroqua, Wisconsin)

Happy reading!

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