Freeloader Friday: 25 Free Things To Do This Weekend

Are you broke like the rest of us? Fear not! Freeloader Friday is your weekly guide to having fun no matter what your budget looks like. Each week we’ll have a list of happenings, including 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.

Do you have a little cash to burn? We also have some $5 events at the bottom of each day. 

Do you have a free or $1-$5 event coming up? Feel free to email me at Jessica@racketmn.com (bonus points if you put “Free” or “$5” in the subject line). 

FRIDAY

Lowertown Guitar Festival

This two-day celebration of all things guitar features music on multiple stages, workshops, open jam sessions, and a swap meet. Guitar genres include jazz, klezmer, funk, indie folks, electric, and much more, You can find the whole schedule at musicmissionmusic.com/lowertown-guitar-festival. 6:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Pkwy. N., St. Paul.

Ash Mouth, Cola Horse, Silt

Rock. 21+. 9:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Hip-Hop Jam on the Ave: NIGHT #4

Featuring free food, live music, prizes, and a bike giveaway. 7 p.m. Peavey Park, Franklin and Chicago Avenues, Minneapolis.

Bike-In Movie Night: Heroes of Dirt

Featuring trivia, prizes, and a questionable movie at dusk. 8 p.m. Behind Bars Bicycle Shop, 208 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

The Greatest Showman

Watch Hugh Jackman’s hilariously campy vanity project, based on the life of P.T. Barnum -- if his estate had written the movie while high. The film screens at dusk; show up early for kids' activities with the Amazing Scott, plus music by DJ Truckstache and Faith Boblett starting at 6:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Dog Days Of Summer

Dog-friendly happy hour includes pup-friendly prizes, samples, and schwag, plus $6 shandy pints. 5 to 7 p.m. Stanley's Northeast Bar Room, 2500 University Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Rich Mattson and the Northstars

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

Joining Forces: The Super Artist Exhibition

This event explores how artists, creatives, and others can fight against human trafficking. The evening will feature a talk with the Talitha Kum sisters (aka the Super Nuns) and survivors, creation of a community creativity piece, and info on how you can support the cause. 3 to 8 p.m. MCAD, 2501 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis.

Also at MCAD tonight:

Arab Comics: 90 Years of Popular Culture

And!

Inner Structures / Outer Rhythms: Contemporary Arab & Persian Graphic Design

Two new exhibits open today in the MCAD Galleries. MCAD, 2501 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis.

Friday Art-Making in the Garden

Weekly free, drop-in sessions for kids four and up. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.

The $5 and Under Bargain Bin:

The Erratix

$5. 9 p.m. Driftwood Driftwood Char Bar, 4415 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis.

SATURDAY

The African American Experience: Protest to Progression

Youth curators at the museum have put together this history exhibit covering the Duluth lynchings in 1920, the Plymouth Avenue rebellion in 1967, and the Morrill Hall takeover in 1969, exploring local racial injustice, community's response to legislation, and the protests that led to change. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, 1256 Penn Ave., Minneapolis.

Midwestern Standard, Jeff Larson, Clare Doyle

21+. 9:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.

Also at 331:

Bands on Vans with Mayda

Sit out on the patio for a drive-by jam. 7 p.m.

Black Forum presented by the Bureau

The Instagram Live series has moved to an in-person event at the park. The evening features an artist talk between author and filmmaker Malanda Jean-Claude with Adrian Octavius Walker, photographer and senior artistic director at the Getty Museum.  5-10 p.m. Target Park Courtyard at Mia. There will also be a pop-up shop with limited edition T-shirts, a soundscape curated by DJ Kwey, and a screening of Poetic Justice (yes, the 1993 John Singleton movie starring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur). 5 to 10 p.m. Target Park Courtyard, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Tommy Boy

A Chris Farley/David Spade shenanigans movie. 9 p.m. Fuller Park, 4802 Grand Ave. S., Minneapolis.

New Primitives

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

A Pop Up Market: From the Heart

Featuring over 40 local vendors selling clothing, jewelry, and more, plus a cookie truck, giveaways, and more. Hosted by Fashion SHEnanigans. Noon to 6 p.m. Squirrel Haus Arts, 3450 Snelling Ave., Minneapolis.

Yoga Summer Series '21

Do yoga at the stadium. This event is free, but donations are encouraged. 10 a.m. Target Field Station, 1 Twins Way, Minneapolis.

The $5 and Under Bargain Bin:

Champion Sound

An evening of drum & bass. The line up includes the 3 BB's Amigos, Nick Merchant, Michelle Muse with MC Greasy B, and Fervor with MC Arion Lee. 21+. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5 at the door. Day Block Brewing, 1105 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis.

SUNDAY

Minneapolis Vintage Market

This parking lot shopping party features vintage clothing, accessories, and home goods, plus food trucks, tunes from DJ Buster Baxter, and coffee, beer, and wine on tap. It’s free after noon, but you can buy early-bird tickets at Mplsvintagemarket.com. Noon to 5 p.m. (pay $10 to get in earlier at 11 a.m.). Dogwood Coffee Northeast & Roastery, 1209 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis.

Pints for Pups

Drink with your dog at this outdoor happy hour where $1 from every pint sold will be donated to Save-a-Bull Rescue or $1.50 if you order a Dogfish Head beer. 6 to 9 p.m. The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar, 3675 Minnehaha Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Sweet Rhubarb

Folk pop. 5:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Lady Spruce

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

$5 and Under Bargain Bin:

The Bored

With the Royal Dumpsters and Pick It Up Pete. $5. 6 p.m. Part Wolf MPLS, 501 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis.