Freeloader Wednesday: 42 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.

WEDNESDAY

Blingo

B. Louise hosts a night of games, pumpkin pie, and beer. All money raised benefits MN Youthlink; Sisyphus will also be donating $1 per beer sold. 7 to 9 p.m. Sisyphus Brewing, 712 Ontario Ave. W., Minneapolis.

Friendsgiving

Featuring hot cider, new releases, s'mores on the patio, live music, and more. 4 p.m. to midnight. Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE Ninth St., Minneapolis.

Thanksgiving Eve Party

Featuring a pie raffle at 4:30 p.m., with DJ Bryan Angeles at 9 p.m. Gabe’s by the Park, 991 Lexington Pkwy. N., St. Paul.

Drinksgiving

Featuring drink specials and merch deals, a heated outdoor patio, and special brews Black is Beautiful and More is More? on tap. 4 p.m. to midnight. Fair State Brewing Cooperative, 2506 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis. 

Nikki and the Ruemates

7 p.m. followed by Laura Hugo and Friends at 9:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

THURSDAY 

DJ Overdrive’s Dark Meat

Industrial tunes. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Front, 15 Fourth St. NE, Minneapolis.

FRIDAY

European Christmas Market

Featuring traditional food and drinks, gifts, games, wholesome fun, and more. 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through December 19. Union Depot, 214 Fourth St. E., St. Paul.

Sociable’s 8th Anniversary

Featuring specialty taps, Nomad Saunas (bring a suit/towel), a visit from Santa, and live music by Tarias and the Sound. Noon to 11:45 p.m. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.

Return of the Leftovers Ride with the Joyful Riders Club

Meet at Sociable Cider Werks at 2 p.m. for a 3 p.m. casual ride to Boom Island where folks will build a bonfire to perform the annual Burning of the Table. Bring new wool socks to donate to charity. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.

Schmidt Holiday Market

Featuring over 30 artists selling their wares. Free. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Schmidt Artists’ Lofts, 900 - 876 West Seventh St., St. Paul.

Light Up the Lake Celebration

With reindeer, letter writing to Santa, hot cocoa, treats, holiday music, wagon rides on Lake Street, a candy cane hunt, parade of lights, and a tree and town lighting ceremony with the Mayor. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Lake St. E., Wayzata. 

Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration and Ceremony

Featuring Winter Wonderland windows, pop-up shops, hot cocoa, coffee, and roasted nuts on the plaza, horse drawn trolley rides, local choirs, ballet performances, visits from Santa, and a tree-lighting ceremony on Friday at 4:30 p.m. 3 to 6 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 50th and France, Edina.

Friday Night Open Mic

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

Toussaint Morrison Album-Release Show

With Lewiee Blaze and Channah Roseann. 21+. 9:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Black Friday Record Store Day

9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Know Name Records, 6009 Portland Ave., Minneapolis.

A French Vintage Holiday Market

Featuring lots of unique home goods, linens, soaps, candles, and other gift items. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, plus select days in December. 211 E. Main St., Anoka.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

Featuring a pop-up market featuring Black-owned businesses on Friday; special deals and more on Saturday. Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.

SATURDAY

Small Business Saturday Market

Featuring jewelry, woodworking, cross stitching, beauty products, and other locally made goods. 1-6 p.m. Arbeiter Brewing Co., 3038 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis.

Small Business Saturday: Holiday Glass Market

Featuring glass-blowing demonstrations, hot drinks outside, items for sale, and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Foci - Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, 2213 Snelling Ave., Minneapolis.

Support Artists for Small Business Saturday

Shop open studios with local artists. Noon to 6 p.m. Solar Arts Building, 711 15th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Small Business Saturday Market

Featuring 13 local makers, tater tot hotdish from MN Nice Tots, and DJ AstroLex. 2-7 p.m. Modist Brewing Company, 505 N. 3rd St., Minneapolis.

Hook Holiday Market 2021

Featuring arts and craft vendors, live music, activism booths, and happy hour specials. 4-7 p.m. The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis. 

Dazzling Baubles

Create your own wood or plastic ornament to take home. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, 1256 Penn Ave. N., Minneapolis.

Small Business Saturday Celebration on 38th Street and 28th Avenue

Featuring special deals, hot chai, carolling, and more in the neighborhood. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tare Market, 2717 E. 38th St., Minneapolis.

Holiday Saturdays 

Featuring hundreds items from local artists and more. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays through December 18. Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis.

North Innsbruck, Night Audit, Lucy In Disguise

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

Small Business Saturday

Featuring live music from Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners, Theyself, Tim Cheesebrow, and The Foxgloves. 3-9 p.m. Sociable Ciderwerks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.

Free Dog Photos with Santa

BBQ, beer, ad dogs. Bring a new toy or donation to benefit Chloe's Fight. 2-6 p.m. Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, 3134 California St. NE, Minneapolis.

Keegan Xavi Artist Pop-Up on Small Businesses Saturday

Featuring artist demonstrations and sales. 2-6 p.m. ColorWheel Gallery, 319 W. 46th St., Minneapolis.

Plate & Parcel Holiday Market 

The Linden Hills Farmers’ Market and Minneapolis Craft Market team up for a market featuring food, holiday decor, Christmas trees, and handmade gifts. You’ll need to RSVP to attend, but it is free; visit mplscraftmarket.com. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through December 19. Wagners Garden Center, 6024 Penn Ave. S., 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.

SUNDAY

Minneapolis Vintage Market

Minneapolis Vintage Market hosts two floors of vintage clothing, accessories, and home goods vendors. Tickets are required; RSVP here. Noon to 5 p.m. Machine Shop, 300 Second St. SE, Minneapolis.

Get Down Coffee Co. Ride

Featuring a casual, 10-mile ride along the parkways. Noon to 3:30 p.m. Behind Bars Bicycle Shop, 208 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Heddwen, Andy Ulseth, Bad Posture Club

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

Cooker John

21+. 3 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Saint Paul Brewing’s Winter Market

Shop local artists, makers, and vintage vendors. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through December 19. Saint Paul Brewing, 688 Minnehaha Ave. E., St. Paul.

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.