Skip to Content
Events

Freeloader Friday: 15 Free Things To Do This Weekend

Music at 331, Nintendo Trivia, and nighttime skating before Omicron shuts it all down again.

7:35 AM CST on January 7, 2022

Anima is at 331

Freeloader Friday is your weekly guide to having fun no matter what your budget looks like. Each week we have a list of 100% free events like gallery parties, music, and films in the park, as well as free admission events like special happy hours, markets, and more.

Rosalux Gallery

FRIDAY

Outside of Time - Slow Journeys on Paper 

See work by Hend Al-Mansour and Eleanor McGough during a public reception from 7 to 10 p.m. this Friday. Rosalux Gallery, 315 W. 48th St., Minneapolis.

Music + Comedy at 612

With music by Francis Emil Johnson and Druzy Rose, and comedy sets from Lucy Zarns, Lily Meyer, and Ethan Yeshaya. 6-11 p.m. 612 Brew, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Party

Hosted by B. Louise. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Black Hart of St. Paul, 1415 University Ave. W., St. Paul.

Matt Arthur, Erik Brandt

21+. 9:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Friday Night Open Mic

21+. 10 p.m. The Comedy Corner Underground, 1501 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis.

Luminary Skating Party

SATURDAY

Luminary Skating Party

Featuring hundreds of candle-lit lamps decorating the park, plus a bonfire to keep everyone toasty. 5 to 11 p.m. Bryant Square Park, 3101 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis. 

Anima, the Lake Effect

21+. 10 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Second Saturdays at Casket Arts

Featuring open studios at the three buildings at Casket. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Casket Arts Building, 681 17th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

​​Print NKB at Open Studio Saturday

Print artists open their studios for a variety of demonstrations, information, and more. Noon to 9 p.m. Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis. 

NDSU Bison Championship Game

10 a.m. LynLake Brewery, 2934 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Free First Saturday

It’s not the first Saturday (that was New Year’s Day), but the Walker is hosting this family-friendly afternoon this weekend. Featuring short films, open galleries, and take-home art-making activities. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.

Mill City Farmers’ Market

With local farmers, artisans, ceramics, giftables, food, and more. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mill City Museum, 704 S. Second St., Minneapolis.

Walker Art Center

SUNDAY

Sensory Friendly Sunday

This monthly event is designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The galleries will be closed to the general public, and there will be quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. It’s free; but you’ll need to sign up at the Walker to reserve a time. 8 to 11 a.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.

Nintendo-themed Trivia Mafia

2 p.m. LynLake Brewery, 2934 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Open Mic Night

Music, poetry, comedy, whatever is welcome. Sign up at 4:30 p.m. The Cave at Keg and Case Market, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul.

More Stories

RacketCast, Ep. 63: Let’s Take a ‘Midwestern Death Trip’ Feat. Author Meaghan Garvey

A first-time Chicago author reports on her wild ride through the Upper Midwest.

October 16, 2026

For This Week’s Open Thread, Tell Us Where You Get Your Restaurant Recommendations

As we do every Friday, we're turning Racket over to you, the readers.

October 16, 2026

Your Favorite Movie Nerd’s Favorite Movie Label Sets Up Shop In Dinkytown

Vinegar Syndrome co-founder Ryan Emerson talks preserving lost films, his MN connections, and the 'renewed and growing enthusiasm' for owning movies in a physical form.

October 16, 2026

Freeloader Friday: 113 Free Things To Do This Weekend

Art-making sessions, spooky artist markets, dog Halloween, and the Saint Paul Art Crawl.

October 16, 2026

Summit Brewing Finds New Lender, Avoids Foreclosure

Plus a closer look at local gangs, a series of celeb sightings, and it's tunnel-cleaning time in today's Flyover news roundup.

October 15, 2026

On the Big Screen This Week: TCFF, Creepy Tech Sociopaths, and Masturbating Nuns

Pretty much all the movies you can catch in the Twin Cities this week.

October 15, 2026