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.

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.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

MN Ice Abduction Memorials, Mapped

Plus construction workers finally get paid for 2019 labor, RIP guitarist Michael Yonkers, and ICE killer gets new ICE job in today's Flyover news roundup.

April 29, 2026

I Tried the Minneapolis-Made Camera So You Don’t Have To

Manufactured on Nicollet Avenue during the Truman administration, the Clarus MS-35 is fun to use but riddled with flaws. Are civic pride and a yearning for physical media enough to make you buy one in 2026?

April 29, 2026

Is It Outdoor Music Season Yet? Your Complete Concert Calendar: April 28-May 4

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

April 28, 2026

We Must Connect Minneapolis and St. Paul by Subway

Plus catching up with Post Modern Times, learning languages, and hot tubs on the river in today's Flyover news roundup.

MN Street Style: Strange Times Market and Schmidt’s Artist Loft

'You go to any queer event and you’ve got a thousand people doing shit in a new way and I’m like: OK, noted. Got it.' 

So Yen Is So Much More Than Just Donuts

You might know St. Paul’s So Yen as a bakery, but the savory options—especially the congee—rival the sweets.

See all posts