Freeloader Friday: 92 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. (For the week's best events, price be damned, click here.)

FRIDAY

Music on the Front Lawn: The Jimmys

Listen to a seven-piece blues band on a lawn. 7-9 p.m. Durkee Neighborhood, 1386 Grantham St., St. Paul.

Minnehaha Falls Art Fest

Minnehaha Falls have inspired artists for centuries, so it just makes sense to celebrate art down by the ol’ waterfall. That’s the thrust of this annual fest, which tends to draw around 150 artists from around the country pedaling paintings, jewelry, dog bandanas, and so much more. Hey, you’ve been to art fests, you get it. The bargain billing sets this one apart; each booth will feature items under $30, we’re told. There’ll be plenty of fun for lookelees too, with live tunes (Trevor McSpadden and Mary Cutrufello, Matt Yetter, BrassZilla, among many others) and food trucks (Thai Thai Street Food, Cookie Dough Bliss, KCM Egg Rolls, Adam's Gyros, Rollin Nolen BBQ). Free. 3-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Minnehaha Falls Park, 4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis; find more info here.—Jay Boller

Shakespeare at the Pub: The Tragedy of Richard III

Free outdoor Shakespeare by The Gray Mallard Theater Company. 6 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Through July 24. Optional reservations can be made via Eventbrite. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.

Pure Shifter, Wannabianca,  Anita Velveeta

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

Trevor Mcspadden & Mary Cutrufello

Roots rock and country. 7 p.m. Minnehaha Falls, 4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis.

29:11 International Exchange

Ministry-based tunes. 5 p.m. Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.

A&K Vintage’s Garage Sale

Clothing, housewares, toys, and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 1406 Palace Ave., St. Paul.

Tap Trailer Takeover @ Sea Salt Eatery

Featuring limited/seasonal beers all weekend, plus a smash burger pop-up with Private Sector 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Sea Salt Eatery, 4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis.

Ryan Van Slooten

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

P.O.P at 50th & France: Carolyne Naomi / RION

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

Briefcase, Loser Magnet, Wish Wash

Deep indie rock cuts. 8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.

Encanto

Movie at dusk. Corcoran Park, 3334 S. 20th Ave., Minneapolis. 

Annual Garage Sale

8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Messiah Lutheran Church and Preschool, 2848 County Rd. H2, Mounds View.

Maple Grove Days 2022

This muli-day, multi-location celebration includes a variety of exercise classes and sports games, a medallion hunt, bingo, competitions, family fun, live music and performances, a beer garden, and more. 10 a.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. For a full listing of events, visit www.mgco.org. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Rd., Maple Grove.

Art & Food on the Artery

With food trucks, local and national artists, musicians, singers, dancers, actors, and improv comedy. 4-8 p.m. The Artery, 8th Avenue South, between the planned Metro Green Line Extension station and historic downtown in Hopkins.

Minnesota Sinfonia

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

Love’s Labor’s Lost

Classical Actor’s Ensemble is back in the parks this summer to bring free theater to the masses. This year’s production is Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost, a comedy poking fun at masculine desire while celebrating feminine intelligence. The plot: The young King of Navarre forces he and his friends to swear off “worldly pleasures” for three years of fasting and academia. His virtuous goal gets completely fucked, however, when a French princess and her crew show up in town to talk diplomacy. Horniness ensues, and—spoiler alert!—wins. Find times and locations at classicalactorsensemble.org. 

This week:

Friday: 7 p.m. at Wolfe Park Amphitheater in St. Louis Park 

Saturday: 7 p.m. at Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis

Sunday: 7 p.m at the MN Humanities Center in St. Paul

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

LynLake Street Art Series

The Lyndale neighborhood is already home to some sweet-ass murals. There’s the skeleton man and his dog at 38th, the broom-wielding zombie fighter at 31st, the gorgeous afro flower lady at 28th, and the bad-ass skull-filled sea at 27th. Like a tattoo collector, new murals are always being added, and this weekend, Lyn-Lake takes one step closer to completing the sleeve. For the next two days, mural artists both local and national will be adding 30 new pieces to the ‘hood. Spots to check out include Common Roots Cafe, Jungle Theater, the Uptown VFW, the Greenway, and Cub Foods. During both days Legacy Glassworks will be a central event location, hosting glass blowing demonstrations, food trucks, morning yoga, and live music from Sesay, Pretendians, Space Monkey Mafia, and others. Find more details about where things are happening at lynlakestreetart.com. Free. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster

Plant Swap

Bring a healthy plant to trade with another plant buddy. There will also be food and local plant pop-ups. 2-6 p.m. Lakes & Legends, 1368 Lasalle Ave., Minneapolis.

Charlie Doesn’t Surf, Landazuri, Mea Burrow

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

MCAD Summer Zine Fest

Shop original zines by more than two-dozen artists on the lawn. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 2501 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis.

International Day of Music

Twelve hours of all kinds of music inside and outside of Orchestra Hall. Including In the Heart of the Beast puppets, Lady Midnight, Tufawon, Fanaka Nation, Salsa del Soul, and the Minnesota Orchestra. Find the complete schedule here. Noon to midnight. Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.

8 Years of Awesome

Northeast beer makers Bauhaus know how to throw a decent party. A few of their greatest hits, from this year: Mini Market, a parking lot pop-up featuring local makers; a Father’s Day meat and beer extravaganza (no explanation needed, obviously); and St. Patrick Swayze’s Day, an annual celebration of the dude from Point Break, Dirty Dancing, and Ghost. This weekend, however, they’ll be high-fiving themselves with a daylong hang. Animale’s Barbecue Co. will be serving up meats, and Bauhaus will have a few special kegs tapped for the occasion. There will be live rock tunes starting around 4 p.m., with Bird Room, Kansas Plates, Solid Gold, Viva Knieval and friends taking the stage. Free. Noon to 11 p.m. Bauhaus Brew Lab, 1315 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster  

West 7th Summerfest

Does Racket write enough about St. Paul? Our four editors all live in south Minneapolis, thus making them prone to the prevailing anti-St. Paul biases that course through our so-called mainstream local media. Frankly, it makes me sick. My first and only recourse? Writing this neat little blurb about West 7th Summerest, the inaugural two-day celebration of two uniquely St. Paulian elements: “summer and community.” Can’t argue with those! The constellation of Keg & Case tenants will play host, though an additional army food trucks has been commissioned. The outdoor concert calendar is legit stacked, locally speaking: Tabah and Covalent Blonde headline Saturday; Solid Gold and Faith Boblet take us home Sunday. Free. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Keg & Case, 928 West Seventh St., St. Paul; find more info here.—Jay Boller

Johnny Sincerelys Traveling Blues Orchestra

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

Opening Night Art Receptions

Featuring three new photography shows: “Personalities,” an exhibit by Gary Beeber; “The Portrait,” a group show; and “Animal Beings,” featuring multiple photographers. 6-8 p.m. Praxis Gallery, 2637 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis. 

Middle Eastern Bake Sale

A pre-pay back sale. Visit mideastfest.com/shop for info. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. St. George, 1250 Oakdale Ave., St. Paul.

2022 Float-in Movie: The Mighty Ducks

Watch via lake or land, but know that space is limited and there will be no boat rentals. Carry-in access is available at the Columbia Heights Public Beach and Silverwood Park from the main and overflow parking lots. A boat drop-off will be available on the south end of our main parking lot near the High Five sculpture for temporary unloading/loading. 9-11 p.m. Silverwood Park, 2500 Cty. Rd. E W, St. Anthony; Columbia Heights, 4121 NE Stinson Blvd., Columbia Heights.

Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest

Well lookie here: Another St. Paul event. It seems Racket truly is the savior the capital city wants and needs. Anyway, blues and funk… in this economy? It’s true, the inflation-proof Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest bucks economic headwinds each year by remaining free of charge. This year’s bill includes: Minneapolis-launched "Evil Woman" hitmakers the Crow; local blues legends Lamont Cranston a.k.a. "the kings of da boogie,” according to the Strib’s Jon Bream; Florida guitar ace Selwyn Birchwood; and Harlem vocal powerhouse Shemekia Copeland, whose politically charged 2020 album, Uncivil War, drew raves from blues critics. Free (a $100 VIP option exists). 2-10 p.m. Dual Citizen Brewing, 725 Raymond Ave., St. Paul; find more info here.—Jay Boller

DCC Day 2022

Play Dungeon Crawl Classics. Table spots are first come first serve. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Source Comics & Games, 2057 Snelling Ave. N., Falcon Heights.

Save-A-Bull Summer Brewery Tour

Meet adoptable dogs and win prizes, plus 10% of sales from the event to the rescue. 1-3 p.m. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.

Midsummer Memory Mandalas Community Celebration

A free community celebration and artist talk featuring forages natural material-made mandalas. 4-8 p.m.; meet at the front around 5 p.m. for the talk. Lakewood Cemetery, 3600 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis.

Safe Hands Rescue Meet & Greet 

Meet puppies! 1-3 p.m. Forgotten Star Brewing, 38 Northern Stacks Dr., Fridley. 

ASL Night Out

Featuring large indoor and outdoor spaces, and a food truck on site. 7-11 p.m. Forgotten Star Brewing, 38 Northern Stacks Dr., Fridley. 

Francis Fest

When’s the last time you got to soak someone in a dunk tank? We’ll answer for you: It’s been too long. At this weekend’s first-ever Francis Fest, the makers of some of the Twin Cities’ finest vegan burgers are taking over Sociable’s patio with all kinds of summer-fair favorites, from tie dye to live music to the aforementioned dunk tank. They’re bringing a bunch of other local vegan favorites along for the fun, including Root to Rise and MN Nice Cream, along with more than 30 local artisans, vintage sellers, and more. Free. 1-8 p.m. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis; find more info here.—Em Cassel

The Hero and The Villain

New and old originals, plus classic rock covers. 7-10 p.m. OMNI Brewing Co., 9462 Deerwood Ln., Maple Grove.

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.

The Bad Guys

It’s a kids’ movie in the park. 9:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, 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, 

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

Mondo Queer Beach Party

TIGERRS (Transgender, Intersex, Gender-Expansive Revolutionary Resources & Services) is inviting everyone, “from our gender fabulous kids all the way to our amazing elders,” to a queer beach day on Lake Nokomis! BYO sunscreen, sanitizer, and masks—this is a fun and COVID-conscious hang. They’ll have individually packed snacks and refreshing bevs to share; everything is free, but any donations will help fund TIGERRS’ youth groups and intergenerational events. You can sign up here if you’re interested in volunteering; find more info about Sunday’s beach hangout here. All ages. Free. Noon to 5 p.m. Lake Nokomis 50th Street Beach, 5000 Lake Nokomis Parkway E., Minneapolis; (“look for the pride flags hanging from the trees and polls!”). —Em Cassel

March For Abortion Access

Look, Freeloader Friday tends to focus on the happy, quirky, fun stuff happening around town. But this event is simply important. If you are a person who can get pregnant, right now the United States does not view you as an autonomous person. You do not have the final say regarding your body. Though it will never feel like enough, there are things we can do to push back. We can donate time and money to orgs fighting for change, we can stay on top of the news so we’re informed when we talk about our rights, and we can march. This Sunday, Unrestrict Minnesota along with a dozen other groups–including Gender Justice, Planned Parenthood, and MN ACLU–are marching to the capitol. People should meet at St. Paul College at 11 a.m., where there will be remarks and a rally before people head out en masse. Find more info at unrestrictmn.org. St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul. –Jessica Armbruster

Sign Making/Carpool to March for Abortion Access

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Sister Cities Day

Featuring international entertainment, live performances, ice cream, and refreshments celebrating Minneapolis’s Sister Cities: Harbin, China; Ibaraki City, Japan; Bosaso, Somalia; Cuernavaca, Mexico; Eldoret, Kenya; Kuopio, Finland; Najaf, Iraq; Novosibirsk, Russia; Tours, France; Uppsala, Sweden; and Winnipeg, Canada. 1-5 p.m. Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Minneapolis.

Fredstock

Graham Parker honors Freddie Manton Fredstock. With The Belfast Cowboys. 6 p.m. The Belfast Cowboys Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.

F1rst Wrestling LIVE: Pryes Free-For-All 

A free outdoor wrestling show. 4 p.m. doors. Pryes Brewing, 1401 West River Rd. N., Minneapolis.

Dave King, Jeff Parker, Chris Speed Trio

Jazz outside on the hill. 7 p.m. Walker ArtCenter, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis.

Sunday Morning Yoga

Hosted by Twin Cities Yoga Cooperative. Sign the waiver here: https://rb.gy/vjubpf 10 a.m. BF Nelson Park, 434 NE Main St., Minneapolis.

Free Parking Lot Yoga

9:30 a.m. Crisp & Green, 10620 Baltimore St. NE, Blaine.

John Philip Sousa Memorial Band 

7 p.m. Maetzold Amphitheater at Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave. S., Edina.

Minnesota Impressions

Featuring 80+ works by artist Gabe Jewell. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis.

Grande Day Parade

Part of Hopkins Raspberry Festical. 1-4 p.m. Mainstreet, Hopkins.

Free Outdoor Family Yoga

Sign up here. 2 p.m. Victory Park, 4414 Upton Ave. N., Minneapolis.

Healing Hearts Rescue MN Adoption Event

Meet puppies. 2-4 p.m. Lakes & Legends, 1368 Lasalle Ave., Minneapolis.

Driveway Puppet Theater

4 p.m. 5556 S. 25th Ave., Minneapolis.

Louis & Dan & The Invisible Band

Kid-friendly tunes. 2 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Matt Sowell

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 Market8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, through October 30. 8595 Central Park Pl., Woodbury; stpaulfarmersmarket.com.