Getting the Magnifying Glass
Secret Notes begin after the winter mystery event: on a winter morning between 6am and 4pm, walk from your farm to the bus stop to trigger a shadow-figure cutscene, then follow the trail of notes to the railroad... practically: the event gives you the Magnifying Glass, and from then on secret notes drop from cutting weeds, fishing chests and monster drops.
What the notes contain
26 numbered notes: treasure maps (dig spots with real loot), villager secrets (their true feelings, hidden gift preferences), and the famous notes leading to the Lewis’s purple shorts situation and the hidden town secrets. Note #18 and #20 mark actual dig spots with valuable rewards.
Why they matter
Beyond the fun, notes sharpen gift-giving (hidden loved items), mark the VIP... rather: they deepen the world and pay real gold at dig spots. Reading a note is instant — they accumulate in your wallet tab and can be re-read anytime. Keep collecting weeds: the notes keep dropping until the full set is found.
Sources and standards
Where these figures come from
Every formula on this page is implemented from the published reference material below. Where a value depends on a regional code, the calculator lets you override it rather than assuming one jurisdiction.
- Stardew Valley — official site — the game of record; version notes and feature announcements come from here.
- ConcernedApe — the developer, and the authority on balance changes between updates.
Figures, formulas and reference tables last verified: 19 September 2026.
