Freeloader Friday: 55 Free Things To Do This Weekend

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.

FRIDAY

Back to the Future

With music by Emerson Avenue at 7:30 p.m. Dusk. Armatage Park, 2500 W. 57th St., Minneapolis. 

EchoBass: Mpls Soul

Featuring DJs Palmbutta, OG Skywalk3r, Oziniru. 6-11 p.m. 612 Brew, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.

Subtle Transients 

A live ambient music night. Tonight features 1(a. 8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.

Flint Hills Family Festival

Multi-day event features a variety of free outdoor performances, including musicians, clowns, modern and traditional dance from around the world, unicycle, and stilt performers, plus food trucks and face painting, and affordable shows inside Ordway ($8). Find more info here. 5-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul.

Space Monkey Mafia

Ska, punk, ‘90s/’00s hits. 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Keg and Case Market, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul.

Nina Luna, Dark Bunny, Zaq Baker

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

Ta-coumba T. Aiken In Conversation

The artist discusses his current show at Dreamsong, and what is next for him. Masks required. 5 p.m. RSVP here: dreamsong.art/#dreamsong-calendar. Dreamsong, 1237 Fourth St. NE, Minneapolis.

South High Community Band

7 p.m. Minnehaha Falls, 4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis.

The Northern Gales

9 p.m. The Dubliner Pub, 2162 University Ave. W., St. Paul.

Edina Art Fair

Featuring over 200 local, national, and international artists. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 50th and France, Edina.

Friday Night Open Mic

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

Adult Game Night

Featuring drunk specials, DJ tunes, and games, including giant Jenga, Uno, Connect 4, dominoes, and more. There’s also karaoke every 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. Hyde Kitchen & Cocktails, 24 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis. 

Farmers’ Markets:

House of Hope Farmers’ Market

1:30 to 5 p.m. Fridays through October 28. House Of Hope Presbyterian Church, 797 Summit Ave. (parking lot on Portland Ave.), St. Paul; stpaulfarmersmarket.com.

Minneapolis Farmers Market

Arguably the city’s largest and most famous market, with hundreds of vendors weekly. 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, EBT hours 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thu.-Sun. June through Oct. 312 E. Lyndale Ave. N. (near International Market Square), Minneapolis; mplsfarmersmarket.com.

SATURDAY

WaterFest

This family-friendly festival is all about lake culture. For those of us without a cabin or our own boat on a lake, it’s a cool opportunity to experience those things for free. During the day, attendees will be able to take a sailboat cruise, or hop into a canoe, kayak, or paddle boat and make their way around the lake. For those who prefer to stay on land, there will be fishing lessons, arts and crafts, food trucks, and watersports (not the adult kind, you perverts). Free. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lake Phalen, 1400 Phalen Dr., St. Paul.

June Really Really Free Market

Bring what you don't want, take what you need. No money, no trade, no barter! Be sure to take home your things that don’t get reclaimed. 1-4 p.m. Whittier Park, 425 W. 26th St., Minneapolis.

8th Anniversary Block Party

Featuring live music all day, special barrel-aged beer releases, food trucks, games, activities, family events, and more. 2-10 p.m. LTD Brewing Co., 8 8th Ave. N., Hopkins. 

The Saint Anthony Park Arts Festival 

Featuring 70+ juried artists, a community area, plant sale, an excellent used book sale, art activities, food, and music. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2245 Como Ave., St. Paul.

Art in the Hollow

Featuring local makers and artists, plus live music and performances. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Swede Hollow, 665 Greenbrier St., St. Paul.

Train Days

 Featuring train equipment tours, with five historic locomotives onsite. Also featuring a train-themed marketplace with vendors selling toys, apparel, model trains, and photography. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Union Depot, 214 Fourth St. E., St. Paul.

Rockers Spring Social 2022

Featuring vintage motorcycles, live music, and vendors outside. Noon to 6 p.m. Minnesota Eagles #34, 2507 E. 25th St., Minneapolis. 

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone 

With music from Dan Israel and Band at 7:30 p.m. Movie at dusk. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Minneapolis. 

Halloween in June: Spooky Book Event

Spoooooky book sale for kids featuring local artists and hosted by Red Balloon Bookshop. 1-4 p.m. Surly Brewing Co. Festival Field, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis.

Michael Gay

With the Ballad of Catfish Lou. 8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.

Darker Days, Evelyn’s Casket, Die Ghost

Horror punk. 9 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

MPLS Pet Market

Featuring local pet businesses and adoptable animals. Find more info here. Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through August. 200 E Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis, 

Free Saturday Yoga at Union Depot

Bring a yoga mat, water, and towel if you need them. 9 a.m. Union Depot, 214 Fourth St. E., St. Paul.

Farmers’ Markets

Apple Valley Farmers Market

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June 4 through October 29. 7100 147th St. W., Apple Valley; stpaulfarmersmarket.com.

Fulton Farmers Market

Traditional and heirloom vegetables, fruits, breads, and pastries. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, through October 29. 4901 Chowen Ave. S., Minneapolis; neighborhoodrootsmn.org.

Lakeview Terrace Farmers’ Market

Formerly known as the Camden Farmers Market, this small market has teamed up with Robbinsdale to offer fresh produce and artisanal goods. 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through September 17. Find it on the northeast corner of Bottineau Blvd. (CR 81) and Lakeland Avenue in Robbinsdale, across from HyVee; thenewmpls.info/farmersmarket.

Midtown Farmers Market

Urban market serving produce and more to Powderhorn, Phillips, and Longfellow. In a new location this year. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct.; 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, through Oct. 2225 East Lake St., Minneapolis, facebook.com/MidtownFarmersMarket.

Mill City Farmers’ Market

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

Northeast Farmers’ Market

Featuring fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, artisans, specialty foods, prepared foods, kids’ activities, live music, and community spirit. Find more info at northeastmarket.org. Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October 15. St. Boniface Church, on the corner of University Avenue NE and Seventh Avenue NE, Minneapolis.

Richfield Farmers’ Market

Featuring live music, cooking demos, morning yoga, food, and more. Find info here. 8 a.m. to noon through October 15. 6335 Portland Ave., Richfield.

St. Paul Downtown Farmers’ Market

Lowertown’s pride and one of the state’s largest markets. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. Through Nov. 20. 290 5th St. E., St. Paul; stpaulfarmersmarket.com.

SUNDAY

Open Streets Minneapolis

Open Streets are a lot like a block party, except instead of closing a side street these events shut down main drag. We’re talking Franklin Avenue, Minnehaha, Lake Street, West Broadway, and, this weekend, Lyndale Avenue. During each celebration the streets will be closed to cars but open to you, where you’ll find a variety of things to see and do, including sidewalk sales, parking lot concerts, chalk-art making, pop-up skate parks, impromptu yoga sessions, and summer beer patios. Find the complete schedule at openstreetsmpls.org. Lyndale Avenue, from West 22nd Street to West 42nd Street, Minneapolis.

Mediocre Old Day Parade

There's no Grand Old Day this year, but there is this tiny parade. If you want to participate come in costume or make a cardboard float. Or just cheer folks on. See it on the sidewalk on Grand Ave., between Dale and St. Albans (one block), in St. Paul. Line up at 11:40 a.m.; parade begins at noon.

Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Celebration

Celebrate 70 years on the throne. With live music from Nicollet and Alcohol on the lawn, food and drink specials, more. 6-8 p.m. Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.

Egg Rolls Fest

Enjoy egg rolls and other eats from 25+ food trucks. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 Arcade St., St. Paul.

Sawyer’s Dream

Americana/harmony. 2 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Minneapolis. 

Sociable Summer Market

Local vendors in the outdoor lot. Noon to 5 p.m. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.

Issues

A Fleetwood Mac tribute. 5:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Minneapolis. 

Eli Gardiner and Band

With Clare Doyle. Americana. 8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.

Standup Sundays

Hosted by Grant Winkels and Courtney Baka. 7:30 p.m. Fair State Brewing Cooperative, 2506 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis. 

Guitar Summer

With Mike Munson and Eliza Blue. 21+. 3 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Game Night

Chris H. stops by with board games. Or bring your own. Noon to 5 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.

Farmers’ Markets

Kingfield Farmers Market

Featuring a large selection of local produce, artisanal crafts, and prepared foods in a new location this year at MLK Park. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 30. MLK Park, 4055 Nicollet Ave. S. (40th and Nicollet), Minneapolis; neighborhoodrootsmn.org.

Linden Hills Farmers Market

Featuring ethical meats, baked goods, ready-to-eat items, locally grown veggies and fruits, and live musical entertainment. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 30. Settergrens of Linden Hills, 2813 W. 43rd St., Minneapolis; lindenhillsfarmersmarket.org.

Woodbury Farmers Market

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through October 30. 8595 Central Park Pl., Woodbury; stpaulfarmersmarket.com.