Love Your Bookshop Day
October 10
About Love Your Bookshop Day
Love Your Bookshop Day falls on Saturday 10 October 2026. It is an annual celebration of Australia’s bookshops, run by BookPeople (formerly the Australian Booksellers Association), and it invites readers across the country to visit their local shop, meet the people behind the shelves and rediscover the pleasure of browsing in person. Held on the second Saturday of October each year, it shines a light on the independent bookshops that sit at the heart of so many communities.
The Story Behind Love Your Bookshop Day
The organisation behind the day, BookPeople, traces its roots to the Australian Booksellers Association, which was founded in 1924 to coordinate and promote the country’s growing bookselling trade. For a century it has represented bookshops of every kind, from tiny independents to national chains and online retailers, while championing reading and the cultural value of the high-street bookshop.
Love Your Bookshop Day grew out of that mission as a dedicated annual moment to thank readers and celebrate booksellers. The idea was straightforward: set aside one day when bookshops across Australia could throw open their doors with events, activities and a warm welcome, and when readers could show their support simply by turning up and buying a book. Each year BookPeople chooses a fresh theme to give the celebration a unifying spirit.
The date itself has moved over the years. For a long time the day was held in August, but from 2025 it shifted to the second Saturday in October, aligning it with the spring book-buying season in the southern hemisphere and giving shops a strong run-up to the busy end-of-year period. That change is why some older listings still show an August date.
What has not changed is the heart of the day: a reminder that bookshops are more than retail outlets. They are gathering places where readers, authors and stories meet, and where knowledgeable booksellers help people find the right book at the right moment.
When and Where is Love Your Bookshop Day Celebrated?
Love Your Bookshop Day takes place on the second Saturday of October. In 2026 that is Saturday 10 October. It is celebrated nationwide across Australia, from large city stores to small regional shops, with each bookshop deciding how to mark the occasion. Because the date is tied to the second Saturday rather than a fixed number, it shifts slightly each year.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, 10 October |
| 2027 | Saturday, 9 October |
| 2028 | Saturday, 14 October |
| 2029 | Saturday, 13 October |
| 2030 | Saturday, 12 October |
Traditions and Customs
Every participating shop puts its own stamp on the day, but several customs have become familiar:
- Author events – Bookshops invite writers in for readings, signings and talks, giving readers a chance to meet the people behind their favourite titles.
- In-store activities – Many shops run quizzes, story times, craft tables and competitions, often aimed at younger readers.
- Special offers and giveaways – Discounts, tote bags, bookmarks and prize draws are common ways shops thank their customers.
- An annual theme – BookPeople sets a different theme each year, which shops weave into their displays and events.
- Staff recommendations – Booksellers share handwritten shelf-talkers and personal picks, celebrating the expertise that sets bookshops apart from algorithms.
Ways to Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day
Whether you are a lifelong reader or just getting back into books, there are plenty of ways to take part:
- Visit your local bookshop – The single best way to mark the day is to walk through the door and browse the shelves in person.
- Buy a book – Every purchase directly supports the shop and the booksellers who run it.
- Ask for a recommendation – Booksellers love matching readers with the right title, so start a conversation.
- Bring a friend or child – Sharing a bookshop visit helps pass on the habit of reading.
- Attend an event – Check what your shop has planned and join an author talk or story time.
- Spread the word online – Photograph your finds and tag your favourite shop to help others discover it.
Facts and Figures
- The day is run by BookPeople, the trading name of the Australian Booksellers Association, founded in 1924.
- It is held on the second Saturday of October each year.
- From 2025 the date moved from August to October.
- BookPeople represents bookshops of all sizes across Australia, but the day focuses on celebrating local shops.
- A new theme is chosen for the celebration every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Love Your Bookshop Day?
It is an annual Australian celebration of bookshops, run by BookPeople, encouraging readers to visit, support and celebrate their local shops with events and special activities.
When is Love Your Bookshop Day in 2026?
It takes place on Saturday 10 October 2026, the second Saturday of the month.
Why did the date move from August to October?
From 2025 the celebration shifted to the second Saturday in October to align with the southern-hemisphere spring book season and the lead-up to the busy end-of-year period.
Spread the Word
Share Love Your Bookshop Day with your community using #LoveYourBookshopDay and #LoveYourBookshopDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion by buying a book or simply browsing the shelves, every visit helps keep local bookshops thriving. If you love celebrating the written word, you may also enjoy National Book Lovers Day.
Related Awareness Days
- National Book Lovers Day – A celebration of reading and the joy of getting lost in a good book.
- Paperback Book Day – Marks the format that put affordable books into millions of hands.
- World Book and Copyright Day – A global celebration of books, authors and reading.
Links
Featured image: Photo by John Michael Thomson on Unsplash.
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
