Secret Note #21 is a picture clue. Its solution is a hidden scene in which Marnie and Lewis burst out of a large bush at 12:40 a.m. near the bridge between Pelican Town and the Beach, then run off in opposite directions.
Where and when to trigger the Note 21 scene
The clue points to a large bush northwest of the bridge on the route from Pelican Town to the Beach. The key detail is the time: you need to interact with the bush at 12:40 a.m., not during the day. When you do, Marnie and Lewis jump out of the bush and run away in opposite directions. The Stardew Valley Wiki identifies this as the note’s solution (Stardew Valley Wiki: Secret Notes, accessed October 8, 2026).
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Getting the Magnifying Glass first
You cannot find Secret Notes in the normal course of play until you have progressed through the Winter Mystery event. Secret Notes become available after that event, and the path to it runs through Winter.
- During Winter, walk from the Farm to the Bus Stop between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Watch for the Shadow Guy cutscene.
- Follow the footprints to the bush beside the playground, to the left of the Community Center.
- Interact with that bush. The Shadow Guy then gives you a Magnifying Glass.
With the Magnifying Glass, Secret Notes can be found while you dig, chop trees, mine, fish, and fight monsters.
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- For 1 to 4 players
- Ages 13+
- About 45 minutes per player
- A cooperative board game
- Based on the hit video game
Reading a note once you find it
Open your inventory and select the note in the top row, then right-click it. The note is added to your collection, and you can read it from there.
What the source does and does not establish
- Established: the Note 21 solution is the 12:40 a.m. bush interaction near the Pelican Town to Beach bridge, and the scene is Marnie and Lewis fleeing in opposite directions.
- Not established: whether the scene can be triggered again, whether it can be missed permanently, or whether it differs between game versions. The wiki page cited above, checked on October 8, 2026, does not address these points, so treat them as unverified.
- No alternative solution: the clue has one stated time and one stated location.
If the scene does not appear at the stated time and place, confirm that you have the Magnifying Glass and are standing at the bush that sits northwest of the bridge rather than another bush along the same path.
Rank #2
- Create the farm of your dreams: build your farm from the ground up on 1 of 5 map layouts suited to your play style!
- mmaster your branching skills: raise animals, grow crops, start an orchard and build useful machines!
- become a part of the local community: get to know all 30+ residents of Pelican town!
- customize your farmer: there are hundreds of character customization options to choose from!
- settle down and start a family: share life on the farm with 1 of 12 characters you can date and marry, and even have children with!.explore vast, mysterious caves! Encounter dangerous monsters and valuable treasures!.spend a relaxing afternoon at one of the local fishing spots: the waters are teeming with seasonal varieties of delicious fish. Craft bait, bobbers, and crab pots to help you in your journey toward catching every fish and becoming a local Legend!.
The game itself is the only product involved here; no separate edition or purchase is needed to attempt the clue.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life.
- Now with Multiplayer! Invite 1-3 players to join you in the valley! Players can work together to build a thriving farm, share resources, and build relationships with townspeople or each other.
- New Single Player Content! Including the new Winter Market Festival, more collectibles, added character cut-scenes and even hats for your horse!
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