How To Celebrate Canadian Independent Bookstore Day

If your ideal family outing involves a stack of picture books, a cozy shop cat and at least one child insisting they “need” three more graphic novels, mark your calendar: Canadian Independent Bookstore Day is happening on Saturday, April 25.

The annual event celebrates indie bookstores across the country and gives readers a reason to shop small, discover new titles and support Canadian booksellers. For families, it’s also a pretty charming excuse to turn a bookstore visit into a proper outing.

According to organizers, participating stores may mark the day with customer giveaways, discounts, exclusive products, author events and other special activities. The exact plans will vary by store, so it’s worth checking your local bookstore’s website or social channels to see what’s happening nearby.

There’s also a built-in incentive if you need one: the Contest for Book Lovers. Every book purchased from a Canadian independent bookstore on April 25 counts as one entry, and books by Canadian authors or illustrators count as double entries. Shoppers can buy books in-store, online or by phone, then submit proof of purchase through the contest form.

Five winners will be chosen at random. Four will receive $200 gift cards to a participating indie bookstore of their choice, while one grand-prize winner will get a $1,000 gift card.

When is Canadian Independent Bookstore Day? Saturday, April 25, 2026.

What is Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, exactly? It’s a nationwide celebration of indie bookstores across Canada, with many shops offering special events, giveaways, discounts and exclusive products.

Do I have to shop in person to take part? No. Purchases made in-store, online or by phone from a Canadian independent bookstore can count.

Is there a contest for shoppers? Yes. Books bought from a Canadian indie bookstore on April 25 can be entered in the Contest for Book Lovers.

How do the contest entries work? Each book counts as one entry, and books by Canadian authors or illustrators count as double entries.

What could you win? Four winners get $200 gift cards to a participating indie bookstore, and one grand-prize winner gets a $1,000 gift card.