Doors Open Minneapolis at Open Book

May 9 + 10, 2026

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Day 1 Schedule: Saturday May 9, 2026

Day 2 Schedule: Sunday May 10, 2026

ARCHITECT LED TOURS

Garth Rockcastle, lead architect on the reuse and restoration of Open Book, will conduct an exclusive tour about how his particular approach of “architectural archeology” applied to the design and use of this unique literary complex.

Saturday, May 9 | 2:00 & 3:00 (45 min tour)

Join us for 2 days of special tours & activities! We’re thrilled to be part of this city-wide special event once again.

Start your Doors Open day with HARISEN DAIKO DRUMMING performing with and demonstrating Japanese style drums on Saturday, May 9, from 10:30am - 11:30am.

On Sunday, May 10 experience YALLA DRUMMING with New Arab American Theater Works from 11:30am - 1:00pm.

In addition to guided building tours - we will have hands-on activities where you can make a building themed zine, get a surprise poem from the Loft Writing Center, perform Karaoke on our stage with the big screen, see weavers and spinners at work at the MN Weavers Guild, and find some great refreshments at FRGMNT coffee in our building lobby!

Stop by the MCBA Gallery to see the beautiful exhibition: Crossing the Line: The Passport Re-Imagined

The Shop at MCBA and Milkweed Books stores will be open regular hours.

Some activities are at specific times - please check the details below and on each day’s calendar listing.

Day 1 Schedule: Saturday May 9, 2026 ‍

Day 2 Schedule: Sunday May 10, 2026

STAFF LED TOURS

Executive Director Kellan Christopher and Events Coordinator Wini Froelich will conduct tours emphasizing the historic use and adaptive reuse design of the building. The talk will include a brief stop at Minnesota Center for Book Arts Studios and the MN Weaver’s Guild.
Maximum 15/tour

Saturday, May 9 | 11:00
Sunday. May 10 | 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 (45 min tour)

MINNESOTA CENTER FOR BOOK ARTS TOUR and PRINT ACTIVITY

Explore two floors of active book arts studios, a type library featuring wood and metal type in multiple languages, and a printing press from the 1800s. Then, watch a printer set up a Pilot platen press and print your own bookmark (or two!) to take home with you.

Maximum 25, walk-ins welcome

Saturday, May 9, 2025
1:00-2:15 pm

REGISTER HERE

https://mnbookarts.org/events/doors-opens-tour-and-printing-event

FAMILY FRIENDLY KARAOKE

Choose a song from our list and sing along for your family and friends in the Performance Hall!
Bring a snack and hang out with your family and friends for an afternoon cabaret.

Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, 2026
1:00-3:00 pm

DOORS OPEN FAMILY FUN NEAR OPEN BOOK! 

Choices all within a mile of Open Book!