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

FLOW Northside Arts Crawl

This will be the 16th year for FLOW, a sprawling festival showcasing and celebrating North Side artists, businesses, and communities. On Friday, folks will find a bunch of fun to be had on West Broadway; from 6-10 p.m. Freedom Square (Broadway at Logan) will spin DJ tunes while the Capri Plaza across the street will have African drumming and more during its weekly farmers’ market from 3-7 p.m. Saturday will be a daylong affair, with a Youth & Arts market at Capri Plaza; special happenings at JXTA, Sammy’s, Emerge, and Sanctuary’s Art Garden; a rib cook off at 4th Street; the Glow Roll bike ride; and a mobile skate rink at North Market. For more details, visit westbroadway.org/flow-northside-art-crawl. –Jessica Armbruster 

Trail Magic Launch Party

Try Trail Magic, Minnesota's very first THC-infused beverage. Events include an outdoors expo featuring businesses and organizations, followed by a surprise movie on the patio. 6-9 p.m.; movie at 9:15 p.m. Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE Ninth St., Minneapolis.

Encanto

Food trucks and kids’ activities start at 7 p.m. El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul. 

Sing 2 

Dusk. Lake Hiawatha, 2701 E. 44th St., Minneapolis.

Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars 7 Viewing Party

Admission is free, but you must reserve at ticket at lushmpls.com. 7-9 p.m. LUSH Lounge & Theater, 990 NE Central Ave., Minneapolis. 

Summer Sessions: Bloodline

Music from Brazilian-American siblings. 7-9 p.m. Keg and Case Market, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul.

The Changeups 

Tunes on the patios. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Number 12 Cider, 614 N. Fifth St., Minneapolis.

DJ Petty Things

An all cassette DJ set in the taproom. 6-8 p.m. BlackStack Brewing, 755 Pryor Ave. N., St. Paul.

Sprinkles Parking Lot Dance

Featuring Culver’s frozen custard and rock/roots/country tunes from the Percolators. Bring a lawn chair. 6-9 p.m. Unity Minneapolis, 4000 Golden Valley Rd., Minneapolis.

Beer Garden Music: Jordan Carr

6-8 p.m. Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave. N., Minneapolis.

Lightning Rods Release Party

Celebrate the release of the brewery’s new Belgian style blonde. Featuring art by Minds Eye Comics, live music, food, limited edition beers, and a cosplay contest. Crowler sale proceeds will go to Juxtaposition Arts. 6 p.m. Dual Citizen Brewing Company, 725 Raymond Ave., St. Paul.

Backyard Boombox: Haus Party

House, remixes, and disco. 4-10 p.m. Bauhaus Brew Labs, 1315 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis.

RetroFizz

Elevator pop from the ‘50s-’70s. Free; donations encouraged. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 2112 St. Anthony Ave., St. Paul.

Intoxicats, Black Widows

5 p.m. Psycho Suzi’s, 1900 Marshall St. NE, Minneapolis.

You, Me and We. Exhibition Opening Night...

Well dang! Uptown is getting a new art gallery, and that is cause for celebration–especially since this is one of the first new spaces to open since the pandemic. This Friday, art lovers and the art curious can check things out and meet the artists at a special reception featuring drinks and eats from Bauhaus Brewlabs, Earl Giles, Caribbean Tasty, and Vegan Voyage. You might already be familiar with a few of the artists’ work; Trace has been painting up a psychedelic storm lately, with murals at Provisions Community Restaurant, LSD Apartments, and Peer Pressure fitness studio. If you can’t make it on Friday, the gallery will host open hours on Saturday as well. 5-10 p.m. Friday; noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. We...Artist Collective, Studios, and Gallery, 2945 Garfield Ave., Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster

Cola Horse, Tollund Moses, Super Flasher

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

Elephant in the Room

Outside tunes. 7-11 p.m. Rosetown American Legion Post 542, 700 Cty. Rd. C W, Roseville.

Acoustic Cocktail

6-9 p.m. Wild Bill's Sports Saloon, 546 Commons Dr. Woodbury.

Crystal Frolics 

Featuring food trucks, beer from OMNI Brewing, inflatables, and a music showcase featuring nine artists. 5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Becker Park, 5530 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal.

The Great Midwest Rib Fest

Music from Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo on Friday; Generation Radio and Jo Dee Messina Saturday. Find more info at bit.ly/3GlAbEv. 5-10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd. NW, Prior Lake.

Chaska River City Days

Sprawling event includes a used book sale, a beer garden, live music with late night food trucks, a craft/makers fair, a business expo, a parade, and a Kidz Zone featuring four free bounce houses, water wars, and trampolines at 300 N. Chestnut St., Chaska. Find more info at chaskarivercitydays.org. 4 p.m.-midnight Friday; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Freeze Pop Friday & Splash Pad

2-3 p.m. Chaska Fire Department, 285 Engler Blvd., Chaska.

Anoka Sidewalk Sale

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Downtown Anoka, 215 East Main St., Anoka.

Of The Orchard, Dave’s Manual, Inland Coastal

Rock tunes. 7-10 p.m. 612 Brew, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis. 

Rosemount’s Leprechaun Days

Citywide events are scheduled through the weekend, including fireworks in Central Park, tons of puppet shows for kids, sports and game tourneys, live music, and more. For a complete schedule, visit rosemountevents.com/eventschedule.

Part of the event: 

Midsummer Faire

Featuring a beer tent, food, carnival, games, vendors, music from Hitchville. 5-11 p.m. Friday; 1-11 p.m. Saturday. Central Park, 2893 145th St. W., Rosemount.

Summer Sessions: 

7-9 p.m. Keg and Case Market, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul.

P.O.P at 50th & France: Robert Wilkinson / Kashimana

5 p.m. 3945 Market St., Minneapolis.

Friday Art-Making in the Garden

Featuring free art-making activities for kids ages 4 and up. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.

Friday Night Open Mic

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

Adult Game Night

Featuring dunk 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.

Signal Hills Farmers Market

Featuring fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables sold direct from producer to consumer, located in the lot of West St. Paul’s Signal Hills Mall. 8 a.m. to noon Fridays, through October 28. 1225 S. Robert St., St. Paul; stpaulfarmersmarket.com.

West Broadway Farmers Market

Featuring local foods, arts, and community development, promoting healthy food access for North Minneapolis, with fresh produce, artisanal goods, grab-and-go eats, and locally grown plants. 3 to 9 p.m. Fridays, June 17 through Oct. 14. The Plaza @ the Capri, 2027 W. Broadway Ave. N. (Broadway and Oliver Street), Minneapolis; appetiteforchangemn.org/wbfm.

SATURDAY

Loring Park Art Festival

For over 20 years, the Loring Park Art Festival has hosted this two-day art party in one of the city’s most unique parks. There are views of downtown, nature views near the pond, that cool dandelion water sculpture, and, uh, views of what I call the Hennepin/Lyndale/Walker traffic clusterfuck. This weekend, there will also be over 140 artists here showcasing their wares, which include paintings, woodworking, pottery, print art, jewelry, and more. Members of Urban Sketchers Twin Cities will create work throughout the park for all to see, and two performance stages will host bluegrass groups, the MN Mandolin Orchestra, and spoken-word artists. Try your hand at making art during wine and painting sessions, or sign up for a paper-making class using invasive plant species. Also: There will be food. Food trucks include Anchor Fish & Chips, Tibetan Family Momos, and NE Pretzels, among many others. Find all the deets at loringparkartfestival.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster

Việt Nam Peace Project 

This solo exhibition by Minneapolis-based artist Teo Nguyen explores Vietnam’s struggle to be perceived as a place, not a war to the rest of the world. The new show featuring photography and ephemera, opens on Saturday. Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis. 

Vintage Clothing Yard Sale

Local vintage sellers join forces for a yard sale, with most items priced $5 to $10. Find more details in style expert Jahna Peloquin’s newsletter here. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 1818 Lincoln St. NE, Minneapolis.

Market Collective MN Makers Market

Shop from 15 BIPOC and queer vendors and allies, plus beer and food trucks at this outdoor event. Noon to 4 p.m. Dual Citizen Brewing Co., 725 Raymond Ave., St. Paul.

Zoe Says Go 

Americana/rock. 7-10 p.m. 612 Brew, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis. 

The Great Went, Warcake, Silt

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

Johnny Sincerely’s Traveling Blues Orchestra

8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.

MN Pops Orchestra

7:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Glow Roll at FLOW

Meet in the parking lot for food and music while you decorate your bike. The group takes a casual ride at 9 p.m. 7-11 p.m. 201 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis.

Northside FLOW: Roho Collective

Featuring an artist market, kids’ activities, and a community mural. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. My North Market, 4414 N. Humboldt Ave., Minneapolis.

Bend It Like Beckham

9:30 p.m. Painter Park, 620 W. 34th St., Minneapolis.

43rd Anniversary Celebration

Featuring live music, drink specials, freebies for kids, games and prizes, and food. 5-9 p.m. El Burrito Mercado, 175 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul.

Twin Cities Houseplant Event

[This event was rescheduled from last weekend.] Makers’ markets are a regular thing around town these days, and it’s awesome. But what about a market that’s 100% plants? Well, now we have that, too, thanks to Planty Queens. The northeast Minneapolis shop opened earlier this summer, but they’ve also been organizing pop-ups at brew pubs and other bars. At Saturday’s event you’ll be able to shop from 20 local plant people selling things like dirt, planters, pottery, and all kinds of flora. Plus, you can grab some food truck eats and shops with a cocktail in hand. Free; you can register here. 5-9 p.m. Twin Spirits Distillery, 2931 Northeast Central Ave., Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster

All Impacted Families March

A march against police brutality and for justice. 3-7 p.m. The march starts at the Governor's Mansion (1006 Summit Ave., St. Paul) and ends at the Capitol.

MPLS Craft Market Summer Weekend Event

Shop from local makers. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lakes & Legends, 1368 Lasalle Ave., Minneapolis.

Ice Cream Social

Featuring carnival games, music, make-and-take puppet crafts , ice cream, and performances of Tucker’s Robot at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 p.m. Noon to 3 p.m. Open Eye Theatre, 506 E. 24th St., Minneapolis.

Foliage Fling Market & Plant Swap

Featuring a wide selection of plants, plant products, vintage, art, and more. Noon to 5 p.m. Ombibulous, 949 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis.

National Cheesecake Day

Featuring 29 cheesecake flavors available, including gluten free and vegan. There will also be food trucks, live music, and deals. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Muddy Paws Cheesecake Co., 3359 Gorham Ave., St. Louis Park.

44th Grand Day Parade

11 a.m. The parade starts at Shannon Parkway, proceeds east on 145th St., and ends at Cameo Ave., Rosemount.

Yoga at Union Depot

Hosted by Studio 9-to-5. Bring a mat and some water; sign up here. 9 a.m. Union Depot, 214 Fourth St. E., St. Paul.

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, 

Farmers’ Markets

Apple Valley Farmers Market

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, 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

Fat Beach Day

From queer beach parties to Fat Beach Days, local organizations are celebrating all sizes and sexualities at Lake Nokomis this summer. This is the second Fat Beach Day Cake Plus-Size Resale has hosted on Nokomis this year (a third will take place on August 21), as they’re hitting pause on their Fat Splash pool parties. Expect a casual, low-key hang—no formal RSVP or ticket necessary, BYO everything—where you can hang out with Cake’s staff and a whole bunch of fat babes while soaking up some sun or cooling off in the shade. While we’re at it, keep an eye on the body-positive consignment and thrift store’s website and/or Facebook to keep up with their other events, whether it’s the virtual “Fat Chats” series or their bi-weekly live sales. Free. 1-4 p.m. Lake Nokomis Main Beach, 5001 Lake Nokomis Pkwy. W., Minneapolis; find more info here.—Em Cassel

Meet Your Local Scene: Networking Party

Featuring industry reps, artists, and open mics. 6-9 p.m. Underground Music Cafe & Event Space, 408 N. Third Ave., Minneapolis.

Art in the Market

Featuring tunes from Katey B and Those SOBs, a pop-up art market, food, adult beverages, and more. 4:45 p.m. St. Paul Farmers’ Market Downtown, 290 Fifth St. E., St. Paul.

Ancia Saxophone Quartet in Concert

Free admission, free will donations requested. 4 p.m. Weisman Art Museum, 333 E. River Pkwy., Minneapolis.

Pure Barre 

Free workout in Uptown. 9:30 a.m. Crisp & Green, 3200 W. Lake St., Minneapolis.

Cars and Coffee

Local car enthusiasts showcase their classic, modern, and foreign cars, bikes, and scooters. 8-11:30 a.m. Keg and Case Market, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul.

Kerns and the Hemispheres

Prog pop. 2 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Adam Kiesling

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

Inver Grove Heights Farmers Market

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, through October 9. 8055 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights; stpaulfarmersmarket.com.

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.