Return of the Indies! Sixteen independent bookstores across the Edmonton area are banding together once again on the weekend of April 25 – 26, 2026 for the third annual Edmonton Indie Bookstore Extravaganza.
Indie Bookstore Extravaganza is a celebration of local independent bookstores, book lovers, readers, books, and the city’s vibrant literary scene. Extravaganza attendees pick up a passport at any participating indie, visiting as many bookshops as possible over the course of the weekend. The local event ties into a national one: Canadian Independent Bookstore Day, spearheaded by the Canadian Independent Booksellers’ Association.
This year’s festivities have expanded to include 16 different independent bookstores across the Edmonton area, including two pop-ups. Visitors can collect their passport at any participating store, scan a QR code to enter prize draws, and receive a stamp from every bookstore they visit over the course of Saturday and Sunday. At the end of the weekend, a grand prize — featuring a variety of book-related goodies and gift cards — will be awarded. The more indies a participant visits, the better chance they have to win a prize.
Thanks to a returning partnership with Edmonton Transit Service, a free charter Bookstore Bus will be available on both the North Side and South Side, shuttling riders to thirteen central indies between 12pm and 6pm. Edmonton Transit Riders will provide Riders in Residence to help guide bus users on their adventure.