42 free things to do and get in Minneapolis and around the Minneapolis area, including 10 entertainment, 10 attractions, 7 services.
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Daily, 6am–midnight
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden next to the Walker Art Center is always free and open every day of the year from 6am to midnight. Home of the Spoonbridge and Cherry.
Verified Oct 27 · walkerart.org
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm (Thursdays until 9pm)
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Mia's permanent collection is always free: just walk in. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, Thursdays until 9pm; closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Special exhibitions and some events are ticketed.
Verified Oct 27 · new.artsmia.org
No catch
Daily, 10am–4pm
Como Park Zoo & ConservatorySt. Paul
Como Zoo in Como Park is free to visit, open daily 10am to 4pm. A voluntary donation ($8 adult, $5 child) is appreciated but not required.
Verified Oct 27 · comozooconservatory.org
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm (through April 30, 2027)
Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Como ParkSt. Paul
Como's glass conservatory, with its Sunken Garden flower shows and tropical rooms, is free. Fall–winter hours are Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm (through April 30, 2027), plus some extended Mondays. Donations welcome, not required.
Verified Oct 27 · comozooconservatory.org
No catch
Monday–Thursday 9am–4:30pm; Friday 9am–noon
VEAPBloomington
VEAP's food pantry welcomes everyone, with no income guidelines. Call 952-888-9616 first to book a pantry visit (or home delivery in some ZIP codes), once a month; if you need food right away, express packs are available at Door 4 during business hours without an appointment.
Verified Oct 27 · veap.org
Catch: Call first to book a pantry visit (once a month)
Tours hourly: Monday–Friday 9am–3pm, Saturday 10am–2pm
Minnesota State CapitolSt. Paul
Admission to the Minnesota State Capitol is free, and 45-minute guided tours leave at the top of each hour: weekdays 9am to 3pm, Saturdays 10am to 2pm. Start at the information desk in Room 126, right of the south entrance. A $5 donation is suggested, not required.
Verified Oct 27 · mnhs.org
No catch
Tuesday–Thursday 10am–4pm; Friday 10am–2pm; Saturday noon–4pm
American Museum of Art, University of St. ThomasSt. Paul
The art museum on the second floor of the Anderson Student Center at the University of St. Thomas is free with no tickets needed. Open Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday 10am to 2pm and Saturday noon to 4pm. Closed on major holidays, during university breaks and exams, January Term and all summer.
Verified Oct 27 · theamaa.org
No catch
Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm
Minnesota Valley NWR, Bloomington Visitor Center
The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge lends binoculars, snowshoes and explorer backpacks free through its outdoor equipment lending program. Borrow them at the Bloomington visitor center during open hours (Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm) to explore the refuge trails.
Verified Oct 27 · fws.gov
No catch
Visitor center Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm; trails daily 5am–10pm
Minnesota Valley NWR, Bloomington Visitor Center
The refuge's Bloomington Education and Visitor Center is free: films, exhibits and the Confluence Gallery, open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm (closed federal holidays). Trails are open daily 5am to 10pm, and refuge programs are free.
Verified Oct 27 · fws.gov
No catch
Wednesday–Friday 10am–5pm; Saturday–Sunday 11am–5pm
Weisman Art Museum, University of MinnesotaMinneapolis
The Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota is always free. Open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and weekends 11am to 5pm; closed Monday and Tuesday.
Verified Oct 27 · wam.umn.edu
No catch
First Saturday of the month, 10am–5pm
Walker Art CenterMinneapolis
On the first Saturday of every month the Walker Art Center is a free family day, with free gallery admission from 10am to 5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · walkerart.org
No catch
Wed, Nov 11, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Maple Grove Central Park
Maple Grove honors veterans at a free community Veterans Day event at Central Park, Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 11am to noon.
Verified Oct 27 · maplegrovemn.gov
No catch
Thu, Nov 12, 12:00 PM
Landmark Center, Courtroom 317St. Paul
The Schubert Club's free lunchtime Courtroom Concert series continues Thursday, November 12, 2026 at noon with cellist Patricia Ryan and pianist Joe Trucano in Courtroom 317 of St. Paul's Landmark Center.
Verified Oct 27 · schubert.org
No catch
Sat, Nov 14 · check hours
Rice ParkSt. Paul
Downtown St. Paul lights the Salvation Army's Tree of Lights, a 40-foot digital tree with a light show set to Christmas music, at a ceremony in Rice Park on November 14, 2026. The city hasn't posted a time.
Verified Oct 27 · stpaul.gov
No catch
Sat, Nov 14, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Central Lutheran ChurchMinneapolis
Bring a broken lamp, toaster, phone or torn jacket and volunteers will help you fix it for free. Saturday, November 14, 2026, noon to 4pm (last items accepted 3:30pm) at Central Lutheran Church. Items you can carry in only; first come, first served. Free validated parking in the adjacent ramp.
Verified Oct 27 · hennepin.us
Catch: Carry-in items only: no oversized items
Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Dec 20
Union Depot East PlazaSt. Paul
St. Paul's European Christmas Market fills Union Depot's East Plaza for five weekends, November 20 to December 20, 2026: Fridays 3 to 9pm (Nov 27 from 1pm), Saturdays 11am to 9pm and Sundays 11am to 6pm. Heated warming tents and holiday atmosphere; food, drinks and gifts cost extra.
Verified Oct 27 · stpaulchristmasmarket.org
Catch: Free entry: food, drinks and gifts cost extra
Tue, Dec 1, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Eagan Community Center
Eagan lights its community tree at the Eagan Community Center on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, from 4 to 6:30pm, a free event that also celebrates the center's grand reopening.
Verified Oct 27 · cityofeagan.com
No catch
Sat, Dec 12, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth
Bring a broken lamp, toaster, phone or torn jacket and volunteers will help you fix it for free. Saturday, December 12, 2026, noon to 4pm (last items accepted 3:30pm) at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth. Items you can carry in only; first come, first served.
Verified Oct 27 · hennepin.us
Catch: Carry-in items only: no oversized items
Sat, Dec 12, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Maple Grove Central Park
Meet Santa, get a free photo and walk the Maple Grove Rotary holiday lights at Central Park on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4 to 7pm.
Verified Oct 27 · maplegrovemn.gov
No catch
Thu, Dec 17, 6:00 PM
Landmark Center, CortileSt. Paul
Carols by Minnesota composers fill the Landmark Center's Cortile at this free Schubert Club Courtroom Concert, Thursday, December 17, 2026 at 6pm (also at noon the same day).
Verified Oct 27 · schubert.org
No catch
Thu, Jan 7, 12:00 PM
Landmark Center, Courtroom 317St. Paul
The Artaria String Quartet plays a free lunchtime Schubert Club Courtroom Concert on Thursday, January 7, 2027 at noon in Courtroom 317 of St. Paul's Landmark Center.
Verified Oct 27 · schubert.org
No catch
Sat, Jan 9, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center
Bring a broken lamp, toaster, phone or torn jacket and volunteers will help you fix it for free. Saturday, January 9, 2027, noon to 4pm (last items accepted 3:30pm) at Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center. Items you can carry in only; first come, first served.
Verified Oct 27 · hennepin.us
Catch: Carry-in items only: no oversized items
Sat, Jan 30, 2:00 PM
Saint Paul Winter Carnival parade routeSt. Paul
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival's daytime parade steps off Saturday, January 30, 2027 at 2pm. Free to watch from the curb; check the Winter Carnival site for the route.
Verified Oct 27 · wintercarnival.com
No catch
Sat, Feb 6, 5:15 PM
Saint Paul Winter Carnival parade routeSt. Paul
The Winter Carnival's evening torchlight parade runs Saturday, February 6, 2027 at 5:15pm. Free to watch; check the Winter Carnival site for the route.
Verified Oct 27 · wintercarnival.com
No catch
Weekly sessions by appointment during the school year
Hennepin County Library branchesMinneapolis
Hennepin County Library pairs K–5 students reading below grade level with a trained volunteer tutor who meets them weekly at the library, at branches including Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Franklin, Hosmer and North Regional. Free; sign up with the interest form.
Verified Oct 27 · hclib.org
Catch: Only for: K–5 students reading below grade level · Sign up with the interest form
Any day
Twin Cities public libraries (smARTpass)Minneapolis
Twin Cities public library card holders can reserve free or discounted tickets to theater, music and museums through smARTpass, including Children's Theatre Company, CAT Museum, Turf Club and First Avenue.
Verified Oct 27 · sppl.org
Catch: Twin Cities public library card required · Some offers are discounts, not free
Thursdays, 5–9pm
Walker Art CenterMinneapolis
Gallery admission at the Walker Art Center is free for everyone every Thursday from 5 to 9pm. Regular adult admission is $18. Kids 18 and under are always free.
Verified Oct 27 · walkerart.org
No catch
1st–4th Thursdays, 3–4:30pm (no fifth Thursdays)
Park Avenue Methodist ChurchMinneapolis
Volunteer Lawyers Network holds a free legal clinic on the first through fourth Thursdays for immigration, family preparedness and general legal questions, in English and Spanish. Don't arrive before 2:30pm; appointments from 3 to 4:30pm are assigned by capacity and case type, not arrival order. Closed Nov 26 and Dec 24, 2026, holiday weeks, bad-weather days and all of January.
Verified Oct 27 · vlnmn.org
Catch: Only for: people who qualify for VLN help
First Sunday of the month
Minnesota Children's MuseumSt. Paul
The Minnesota Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul is free on the first Sunday of every month. Reserve a free timed ticket in advance and arrive within 10 minutes of your time.
Verified Oct 27 · mcm.org
Catch: Free reservation required: arrive within 10 minutes of your time
Thursdays, 4–8pm (not Thanksgiving)
Minnesota History CenterSt. Paul
Admission and parking at the Minnesota History Center are free on Thursday nights from 4 to 8pm. Thanksgiving (Nov 26) isn't on the schedule. Regular adult admission is $15. No reservation is required; the event page has an optional RSVP form.
Verified Oct 27 · mnhs.org
No catch
