Updated every Monday — Oct 24 - Oct 30
Minneapolis is a lake-filled, arts-minded city with a strong cooperative spirit and long winters that keep people sharing and swapping. Free stuff here ranges from curbside furniture and Buy Nothing group giveaways to free museum days, summer concerts, and community events. Check listings often, since good items go quickly, especially around student move-out times.
Oct 24 - Oct 30
These freebies happen every week. Add them to your routine!
Museums, concerts, tours and events you can walk into for free.
Hands-on warehouse job training, three weeks long, at no cost to you. Sign up through the CareerForce training programs page, and check there for eligibility rules and how to enroll. The session listed runs Nov. 2 to 19, 2026.
Adults in Minnesota can take classes in English as a second language, GED prep, college prep, and basic computer skills at no cost. Literacy Minnesota's site connects you with one of roughly 300 programs around the state, so search by location to find one near you. Check with the individual program for schedules, enrollment steps, and eligibility.
Four days a year, Minnesota state parks and recreation areas waive the vehicle permit, so you can drive in without a sticker or fee. No signup is needed. The DNR posts the dates on its free entrance days page, so check there before you plan a trip. Fort Snelling State Park is one of the options near the Twin Cities.
Admission and parking are both free at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. No signup or ticket is mentioned, so just show up. Check mnhs.org for holiday closures and special exhibit exceptions before you go.
Gallery admission at the Walker is free on Thursday evenings, with no membership required. Hours and which exhibitions are included can vary, so check the museum's site before you go. Special ticketed events may still cost extra.
Wander the outdoor sculpture park across from the Walker Art Center without a ticket, signup, or reservation. Just show up anytime between 6 a.m. and 12 a.m. daily. It's an open-air walk, so dress for the weather. Check the Walker's site for closures or special events.
Art workshops in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, set up so people of different abilities can take part. No fee is listed, and the page doesn't mention a signup or purchase requirement. Sessions and locations change, so check the Artability page for upcoming dates and how to register.
A free networking session for small business owners, held at 1256 N Penn Ave in Minneapolis. Registration is probably required through Eventbrite, so reserve a spot before you show up. It runs at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28.
Walk into the University of Minnesota's Weisman Art Museum and see the galleries at no charge, with no signup or ticket needed. Hours vary by day, so check the museum's schedule before you go.
The permanent collection is open to walk through at no charge, with no ticket, signup, or reservation required. Special exhibitions may cost extra, so check Mia's site for current pricing and hours before you go.
Free things for babies, kids and families.
Kids from 4 months to 12 years old can try one class at a Twin Cities Little Gym location at no charge. Contact your nearest location directly to book a spot, since there's no online claim listed. Expect a pitch for a paid class series afterward, but there's no obligation to sign up.
Walk-in entry to both the zoo and the conservatory costs nothing, any day of the week, with no signup or app needed. Donations are suggested but optional. It's a good low-budget outing with small kids, about a short drive from Minneapolis. Check current hours and any special-exhibit or ride fees on the Como Park website before you go.
Hands-on family activities at the museum cost nothing on the second Sunday of every month, and general admission is free every day. No ticket or signup is mentioned, but check Mia's online calendar for that month's schedule before you go. Some activities may vary by date.
Families get in without paying on the first Sunday of each month, with Securian Financial covering the cost. Reserve a spot ahead of time, since walking up without a reservation isn't the plan. The museum is in downtown St. Paul, not Minneapolis.
Kids can sit in on sessions of books, songs, rhymes, and play, with a parent or caregiver along. Baby sessions are for infants up to 24 months, and family sessions cover ages 0 to 5. Schedules differ by branch, so use the event link to find the one nearest you and confirm the day and time.
A 45-minute session of books, rhymes, songs, and play for kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers. It's in person at North Regional Library in Minneapolis, and no registration was listed, so you can likely just show up. Check the library's event page to confirm before you go. One time only: Sunday, Oct 25, 2 to 2:45 p.m.
Gallery admission is free on the first Saturday of every month, with family activities running alongside the exhibits. Doors open at 10 a.m., and no ticket purchase is needed. The activities change from month to month, so check the Walker's site for the current lineup before you go.
The latest offers that work in Minneapolis and everywhere else.
Target is hosting a Holiday Kick Off With Toys event on November 7 from 12 PM to 4 PM, where attendees can pick up a free Holiday Bear keychain. The event also includes demos of the latest toys. Visit a participating Target store during the event hours to get the keychain, which is likely available while supplies last.
NYX is hosting a free Halloween makeup demo at select Target stores on October 24 from 12 to 4 p.m. Stop by during those hours to watch the demo and pick up a free gem sticker while supplies last. The event is in-store only and available only at participating locations, so check Target's NYX event page to find out whether your store is included.
Pottery Barn Kids is hosting a free Halloween craft event for children on October 24 at select store locations. Check the store events page on the Pottery Barn Kids website to find a participating store near you and confirm the time and details before you go. Availability may vary by location, so it's a good idea to verify that your local store is taking part.
Starbucks is predicted to bring back Red Cup Day on November 12th, though the date is not officially confirmed. Based on past years, buying a handcrafted holiday beverage should get you a free reusable red cup, available at participating Starbucks locations while supplies last. Check the Starbucks website or app closer to the date for confirmed details and participating stores.
LEGO and Barnes & Noble are hosting free holiday LEGO build events at participating Barnes & Noble stores on various dates throughout November. The events are geared toward kids ages 10 and up, and since dates and times vary by location, check with your local store for the schedule and any sign-up requirements.
Michaels is hosting a free Chenille Stem Ghost or Spider craft event on October 24th from 10AM to 12PM. The event is open to anyone ages 4 and up, and no registration is required, so you can simply stop by your local Michaels store during the event window. Use the Michaels store locator to find a participating location near you.
Arby's Rewards members can get a free Chicken or Angus Cheesesteak sandwich when they spend $10 or more, from October 26 through November 1. A rewards account is required to claim the offer, so new customers should create a free Arby's account on the Arby's website before ordering.
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) is giving away a free 2027 Fellowship Calendar as part of its annual calendar offer. Request yours through the IFCJ online form at help.ifcj.org. Availability is not guaranteed and the offer may end at any time, so submit your request early if you want a copy for next year.
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Minnehaha Falls
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Orfield Labs Quiet Chamber
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Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
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