2026 Independent Bookstore Passport and Pro-Tips!

Rain Taxi’s Twin Cities Literary Calendar is once again proud to publish its pocket-sized Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport—offering readers a fun way to visit bookstores and win discounts and prizes. Our annual Bookstore Passport celebrates both Independent Bookstore Day (this year taking place on April 25, 2026) and our metropolitan area’s bounty of great community-based bookstores!

Illustrated by local artist Kevin Cannon, the Passport is FREE to pick up at any participating store between Wednesday, April 22, 2026 and Sunday, April 26, 2026. During these five days, travel to as many of them as you can, because you can get your Passport stamped at each store you visit during that time span. Each stamped page becomes a future discount coupon for that store, and getting multiple stamps makes you eligible to win great prizes!

You can use the Passport as a handy guidebook year-round, but if you’re hoping to join in the five-day fun and enter to win prizes, you’ll probably need to do a little planning.

front building of wild rumpus books in minneapolis

Here are 4 Independent Bookstore Passport tips:

1. Research the stores
Many bookstores have events, sales, and specials occurring on Independent Bookstore Day and in the days surrounding it. Our list of participating stores on the Passport webpage includes links to each store’s website, where you can find out what hours they’ll be open during the Passport period and anything special they have planned or for sale!

2. Plan your journey
Also on the Passport webpage, you’ll find a Google map listing all the participating stores.

3. Make a list
With spring arriving it’s time to get some new stuff on your TBR pile! Just like Rain Taxi Review helps you learn about books you might not otherwise hear about, booksellers can help you find books on your wish-list and make great recommendations from there too. And don’t forget that some of the stores have special Independent Bookstore Day merch, from tote bags, magnets, and posters to limited-edition book releases!

4. Travel with fellow book lovers
Whether it’s your partner, kids, book club, or pals, get together for some bookstore hopping!

These Twin Cities & Beyond Bookstores are participating! Learn more more about their special activities, and limited or exclusive items available at each participating store!

Participating Bookstores

Rain Taxi’s Twin Cities Literary Calendar is once again publishing its pocket-sized Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport—and offering readers fun ways to visit the stores and win discounts and prizes. Our annual Bookstore Passport celebrates both Independent Bookstore Day (this year taking place on April 25, 2026) and our metropolitan area’s bounty of great community-based bookstores!

The Passport is FREE to pick up at any participating store between Wednesday, April 22, 2026 and Sunday, April 26, 2026. During these five days, travel to as many participating Twin Cities area bookstores as you can, because you can get your Passport stamped at each store you visit during that time span for a future discount at that store and a chance to win great prizes!

Find hundreds of child book reviews on our website here.

Here are 4 Independent Bookstore Passport tips:

Participating Bookstores

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