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 our picks of the week's best events, price be damned, click here.
WEDNESDAY
Free Meat Raffle
Featuring 12 rounds of meat, 12 rounds of beer and last-minute sides, followed by live music at 8 p.m. 6-10 p.m. Heavy Rotation Brewing Co., 801 Xenia Ave. N., Brooklyn Park.
BZ3 Organ Trio
7:30 p.m. Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Harold’s House Party on KFAI, Nikki Matteson & Rich Rue
7 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
TRAMPS LIKE US
9:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Sarah Morris and the Sometimes Guys
6-8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Nights with Tim
9 p.m. to midnight. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Holiday Shopping
The Dayton's Holiday Market
This popular local shopping experience includes 100+ Minnesota brands and smaller makers. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. through Sat.; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. The Dayton’s Project, 700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Through Dec. 28
Holidays on Nicollet
Minneapolis Craft Market hosts this seasonal pop-up featuring 60+ vintage sellers and local makers. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tue.-Sun., plus Holidazzle hours (closed on Thanksgiving). IDS Center, 747 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Through December 22
TMORA’s Holiday Shop
The museum’s gift shop gets extra festive in time for the season. Opening day goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and runs through the holidays. The Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis.
Textile Center's Holiday Gallery Shop Open House
Here’s a chance to shop local, with all kinds of local-made items including home goods, decor, books, and more. 1-4 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tue.-Sat. Textile Center, 3000 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis. Through December 24
THURSDAY
Scott Allen & The List
With Jellyjacket. 8 p.m. Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis.
FRIDAY
Leftovers Bike Ride
Fulton Beer
It’s the 10th anniversary of the Leftovers Ride, Joyful Riders Club’s annual Black Friday ride celebrating “community, silliness, and a bit of low-key debauchery.” Meet up at Fulton’s North Loop taproom, bike a leisurely-paced six-mile loop, and don’t forget your leftovers! The ride involves a stop at the picnic area in Bohemian Flats Park, where Joyful Riders will build a big fire and burn a table. (What can we say? It’s tradition.) Then you’ll all head back to the taproom to indulge in a free beer, THC bev, or NA drink thanks to Fulton. Free. 3 to 6 p.m. 424 N. Sixth Ave., Minneapolis; more info here.—Em Cassel
European Christmas Market
Union Depot
It’s the big one, folks. Every year, Union Depot hosts a huge holiday market featuring local makers and crafters selling traditional gifts, including thick wool sweaters, giant beer steins, cured meats, wood toys, and tin ornaments. Each weekend there’ll be live music and traditional dance, as well as appearances from Krampus, sled dogs, Santa, and reindeer. Food options include savory brats, subs, and pretzels, as well as sweet treats like hot donuts and pies. Also important to know: There will be beer and gluhwein. Find more info at stpaulchristmasmarket.org. Free. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sun. 214 Fourth St. E., St. Paul. Through December 22—Jessica Armbruster
Minneapolis Christkindl Market
No, you’re not at the Union Depot in St. Paul or Holidazzle in downtown Minneapolis. You’re in the North Loop, silly, and they have their own mega-Christmas market thing this year. Here 30 or so vendors will sell traditional holiday ornaments, wooden toys, nutcrackers, steins, felt dolls, hand-knit hats, beeswax candles, moss art, and more, with a weekly lineup of entertainment onstage, and Santa and Krampus stopping by most weekends. Food and hot drinks will be plentiful, including German brats and glühwein, Polish and French pastries, raclette, Turkish treats, and Nordic waffles on a stick. Free. 4-9 p.m. Fri.; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun. North Loop Green, 350 N. Fifth St., Minneapolis. Through December 22—Jessica Armbruster
Greentop, Airship Caravan, bathtub cig
10 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
A Evening with Stoney Point
8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
The Pickleback Prowlers
7-9 p.m. Urban Forage Winery and Cider House, 3016 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.
Mia Dorr & The Funkin' Blusers
7-11:30 p.m. Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Winter SKOLstice
Viking Lakes
Winter—make it sports, but also festive. That’s the vibe at this annual Vikings-hosted winter wonderland. Should you make your way out to their Eagan facility, you’ll find holiday light installations great for photo ops, live rock acts most weekends, and a warming house offering a stacked lineup of brews, eats, and cocktails. The ice rink is free and open to all, so bring your skates or rent a pair for $5. Magic of Lights, a winding holiday light installation, is available to drive through at $25 to $30 a car. In January, they’ll add an ice maze and more skating rinks. Free. 2685 Vikings Circle, Eagan; find more info here. Through January 5—Jessica Armbruster
Mike Poot
7 p.m. OMNI Winery & Taproom, 15701 Biscayne Ave., Rosemount.
Release the Craicen
7 p.m. Padraigs, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.
Friday Night Open Mic
21+. 10 p.m. The Comedy Corner Underground, 1501 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Black Friday Weekend
Featuring the re-release of the Quadriga Belgian-Style Quad, deals on brews and merch, and beer poking. 5-9 p.m. (deals all weekend through Sunday). Utepils Brewing Co., 225 Thomas Ave. N., Minneapolis.
Black Friday at Mia
Explore select galleries, enjoy free coffee and treats, win prizes, make holiday cards, bring the kids for storytime, and shop special deals at the store. 8-10 a.m. Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Market Collective MN Makers Market
Shop from BIPOC and queer vendors and allies. Noon to 5 p.m. Falling Knife Brewing Co., 783 Harding St. NE, Minneapolis.
Palace Theatre Holiday Market
Featuring over 50 artists and vendors in a super cool space. Free. 2-8 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. Palace Theatre, 17 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; palaceholidaymarket.com. Through November 30
Mall of America Holiday Market
Should you find yourself at the Mega Mall this season and still want to shop local, this pop-up market features artists and makers from Minneapolis Craft Market. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun., plus Black Friday. Mall of America, S104 (next to LL Bean), Bloomington. Through December 22
SATURDAY
56MAS
Featuring special beer releases, a holiday makers’ market (noon to 5 p.m.), Santa Claus, and a Punk Rock Christmas Concert at 6 p.m. featuring Hot Topic Fan Club, Los Outsiders, and Black Wine. Noon to 10 p.m. 56 Brewing, 3055 NE Columbia Ave., Minneapolis.
Beer Brulee
Get yer beer poked for a malty treat during these hours. 4-6 p.m. Indeed Brewing Co., 711 15th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Small Town Sindrome
Rock. 6-8 p.m. Boom Island Brewing, 5959 Baker Rd., Minnetonka.
Hometeam Quarterback, Mid Death Calm, Tiger Blue
10 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Kat & the Kodachromes
With Moo Boots, The Cameras. 9 p.m. to midnight. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Big Trouble
6-8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Nikki Lemire
With Haley Erydell, Alicia Thao. 1-4 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Hurricane Harold's All Star Revue
8 p.m. Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Irish Diplomacy
7 p.m. Merlin’s Rest Pub, 3601 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.
Mind Out of Time
A Bob Dylan tribute. 7-9:30 p.m. Padraigs, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.
Open Mic Comedy
7:30-10 p.m. The Joint, 913 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Nordic Village: Season 3
Shop for local-made holiday giftables sold via a tiny winter village designed by MartinPatrick 3. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, 245 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. Through December 22
Small Business Saturday Mini Market
Handmade goods in an indoor market. Noon to 5 p.m. Sociable Cider Werks, 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis.
Indie Makers’ Market
1-6 p.m. Padraigs, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Makers Market & Bar Hop
A bunch of breweries and distilleries team up for a neighborhood shopping spree featuring a variety of makers at each spot. The locations: Indeed Brewing Co. (711 NE 15th Ave.), Padraigs Brewing (945 Broadway St. NE), and Dashfire Distillery (1620 Central Ave. NE Dock #10). Free. 1-6 p.m. RSVP and find more info here.
Holiday Lane at Northrup
Shop from hundreds of artists at this weekly holiday happening. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis. Through December 21
Olde World Christmas: Small Business Saturday
With vintage Christmas items, decor, and gifts. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Haupt Antiek Market, 7570 147th St. W. #400, Apple Valley; hauptantiek.com.
Bunside Pop-up Market: Holiday Market
Shops from a crew of vintage sellers and creatives every weekend. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 2756 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis. Through December 22
Annual Holiday Gift Gallery
Featuring work by more than 30 local artists, handcrafters, and authors. ArtReach St. Croix, 224 N. Fourth St., Stillwater. Through December 24
A Handmade Holiday Market
Minneapolis Craft Market hosts this weekly holiday market featuring local markers. Noon to 5 p.m. Sat. Brühaven Craft Co., 1368 LaSalle Ave., Minneapolis. Through December 22
Field + Festival Holiday Market
Minneapolis Craft Market hosts this weekly series featuring local artists, artisans, farmers, and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Wagner's Garden Center, 6024 Penn Ave. S., Minneapolis. Through December 22
SUNDAY
Corpse Reviver: Danksgiving
Electric folk. 3-5 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Art Dept.
1-4 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Mary Cutrufello
6-8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Palace
With JIST. 9 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
The Warmup Beer Garden
Featuring tailgate-style fun including special menus, tunes from GenerationNOW DJs, lawn games like Vikingschlagen and cornhole. 9 a.m. to noon. Hotel Emery, 215 Fourth St. S., Minneapolis.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Guatemalan Holiday Market
La Doña Cervecería
It’s officially December, folks, and that means the time to start quietly panicking about what gifts you’re getting everyone this year is now. Luckily Common Hope Familias de Esperanza and La Doña are teaming up to bring back this market, where you can shop handcrafted wood goods, jewelry, clothing, chocolate, and even volcanic-grown coffee made by artisans in Antigua, Guatemala. And, of course, you can do it all with a Doña Fría Mexican lager or Enmolada molé stout in hand. Free. Noon to 5 p.m. 241 Fremont Ave. N., Minneapolis; more info here.—Em Cassel
Market Collective MN Makers Market
Shop from BIPOC and queer vendors and allies. 1-6 p.m. Bad Weather Brewing, 414 Seventh St. W., St. Paul.
