Free events in St. Cloud, MN

Located in the parking lot of the Coon Rapids Ice Center, this farmers market showcases the work of local growers and makers. Find farm fresh vegetables and berries, locally made honey and jams, colorful flowers, and more. The selection changes regularly, with new crafters, artists, and cottage bakers offering handmade goods and small-batch treats. Shoppers can support area vendors while discovering something delicious or unique.

A weekly Wednesday community group run sets out from PRG and is free to attend. Routes of 4 and 6 miles are available, with paces ranging from a walk or easy jog to about 9 minutes per mile. Participants can bring a friend. A headlamp is recommended at least through February, and bringing a smile is encouraged.

Put your knowledge to the test with trivia that spans a wide range of categories. Participation is free, and it is suitable for families, friends, and coworkers.

Trivia Mafia hosts bar trivia in the VFW Karaoke Bar at James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW Post 246. Prizes are available, including gift cards for the Uptown VFW. The bar is featuring $5 Jack Daniels in every flavor, with options like the original, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Honey, and Tennessee Apple. Admission is free.

Transmission is a long-running club night at James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW - Post 246 in Minneapolis, bringing a wide-ranging soundtrack that blends new wave, indie rock, British pop, funk, garage, punk, post punk, synth pop, electro and more. The experience also extends to the airwaves as a weekly show on Minnesota Public Radio’s 89.3 The Current, with each edition built around a different theme. There is no cover charge.

First National Bank of Milaca offers free document shredding during this event. Households and businesses may bring up to three boxes, with a combined limit of 90 pounds per participant. No customer relationship is required.

Yess Yoga collaborates with Mia on a free art and wellness series that connects yoga practice with Mia’s collection. This session, Tea and Reiki, takes place in the Target Reception Hall. Each program begins with a yoga practice, followed by time to explore the galleries. A small number of mats will be available, and participants are encouraged to bring their own mat and any props. Additional details for this session will be announced.

Enjoy a free monthly bar trivia night at Office Golf courtesy of Trivia Mafia, a Minneapolis based crew that stages quizzes across the Midwest and beyond in bars, brewery taprooms, distilleries, and private functions. They also roll out themed editions and other pub friendly games. Office Golf offers virtual play on courses from around the globe, along with simple, satisfying food and drinks served at The Boardroom.

Open hours are scheduled for the pantry, and contributions are appreciated. Please wait until the official start time rather than arriving early, as setup takes place beforehand.

Minneapolis Parks horticulture staff lead monthly gardening at Victory Memorial Garden, with activities based at the Victory Flagpole. Gloves and tools are provided for use during the session. Work continues in light rain and is paused or canceled if weather becomes severe. No prior experience is required, and the sessions welcome all skill levels.

The public is invited to donate used tech. Donated items will be refurbished and placed with students in Minnesota.

Howl-O-Ween fun awaits at the new Mississippi Gateway Regional Dog Park, featuring free activities for dogs. Snap spooky portraits at Pawtography, pick up a quick doodle of your dog from MNDoodleBooth, enjoy pup cup treats, let dogs play in the off-leash area, and listen to live music. Please review the dog park rules beforehand. A Three Rivers pass is not required.

Connect with neighbors while exploring Uptown on a relaxed group walk. Uptown United hosts the outing, beginning at Seven Points and heading out in small groups to wander parts of Hennepin, Lake, Lagoon, and Lyndale, with chances to discover new spots and enjoy a snack or drink along the way. No registration is required, and some participants choose to stay for dinner afterward.

Neighborhood Roots’s Southwest Farmers Market is a lively neighborhood market in South Minneapolis that showcases farm-fresh produce, meats and seafood, eggs, artisan cheeses, baked treats, flowers, handmade crafts, natural hygiene and body care items, pantry staples, and more from local farmers and makers. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of ready-to-eat meals, fresh coffee, and refreshing beverages while they browse. Each market features live music from a rotating roster of local musicians and artists, creating a welcoming community atmosphere for all ages. The Power of Produce Club gives kids a chance to explore local foods through fun activities and includes a $2 token they can use to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.

Children’s Minnesota offers free car seat checkups to help families keep kids safe on the road. Certified technicians trained in car seat safety will examine your seat. The checkup is held at Richfield Fire Station No. 1. Registration is requested in advance by calling 612-813-6053 or emailing carseats@childrensmn.org.

This work day offers a mix of volunteer projects both indoors and outdoors. Please bring household cleaning supplies for indoor tasks, or gardening tools for outdoor cleanup. For more information, contact Patrick Kutzer.

A free community repair clinic takes place at Saint Stephen Lutheran Church, where participants bring broken household items and work side by side with friendly, skilled volunteers to diagnose issues and make repairs when possible. Items commonly brought include small appliances, clean clothing, electronics, mobile devices and more. Service is first come, first served, and no advance registration is required. Attendees learn hands-on troubleshooting and basic repair skills, build community connections, and help keep repairable items out of the trash. Volunteer opportunities are available.

A lively farmers market with a weekly rotation of about fifty vendors, including growers, specialty food producers, chefs, and artists, accompanied by live music. It runs in all weather and is set in the parking lot of Settergrens of Linden Hills.

Give last year’s outfit a second life at the Edina Halloween Costume Swap at Edinborough Park. Bring costumes your household has outgrown or is ready to pass along, then browse for a new-to-you look for Halloween. The swap is free and open to everyone. Costumes can be dropped off in advance at Edina Fire Station 2 or brought directly to the event. Participants can trade, explore the selection, and help great costumes make the rounds again.

The Second Sunday fire and flow jam returns to Dragons Lair Performing Arts for a relaxed, practice-focused gathering. Spectators are welcome to watch, and experienced spinners can take part. Those planning to spin should bring their own fire props and fuel. Admission is free, and parking is free with plenty of space. This is not a performance or a party, but a community practice for people with some flow arts or fire experience, with safety support available for those who are newer. Start times shift with the season and sunset, so plan with that in mind. Bring friends, capture the moments, and enjoy an evening of movement and light.

This gathering honors Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ (Bassett Creek) with a water blessing and educational activities, and it also recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day with song and a land acknowledgment. Indigenous participants will share ways to care for the lands and waters of Mni Sóta Makoce (Minnesota). The event takes place at Westwood Hills Nature Center in Minneapolis. It will proceed rain or shine, is free to attend, family friendly, and accessible. Attendees may bring chairs, blankets, and water bottles. Registration is optional. Appreciation is extended to cultural advisors Bradley Blackhawk (Ho-Chunk), Darlene St. Clair (Dakota), Jim Rock (Dakota), and Roxanne Gould (Anishinaabe). Funding is provided by the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission, the City of Golden Valley Environmental Commission, and Valley Community Presbyterian Church. Additional support comes from the City of Golden Valley Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission, the City of Minnetonka Historical Society, the City of St. Louis Park, Hennepin History Museum, Golden Valley Historical Society, Minnesota Repair Communities, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, Plymouth History Center, Robbinsdale Historical Society, St. Louis Park Historical Society, The Loppet, Three Rivers Park District, Valley Community Presbyterian Church, and Westwood Nature Center.

Drag Queen Bingo hosted by Jamie Monroe takes place at James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW - Post 246 in Minneapolis. There is no cover charge. The event is sponsored by Absolut and features $5 Absolut drinks. Arrive early to secure a seat.

This free, drop-in social welcomes LGBTQ+ adults and allies aged 62 and older. Connect with peers in a warm, affirming setting, share a meal and conversation, and leave feeling more connected. These monthly gatherings focus on community and easygoing interaction, and an RSVP is not required. Please note that photography, audio, and video recording may occur; if you prefer not to appear in photos or recordings at any time, you can step aside or let a staff member know, no explanation needed.

Elmer L. Andersen Library in Minneapolis hosts a hybrid celebration honoring artist, author, and woodblock printmaker Betsy Bowen as the recipient of the Kerlan Award. The event is free and open to all, with registration required for both in-person and online participation. The program recognizes Bowen’s achievements in children’s literature and her contributions to the Kerlan Collection, followed by a reception and book signing, with book sales provided by Red Balloon Bookshop. Based in Grand Marais, Minnesota, Bowen is known for her close connection to the North Shore and the Boundary Waters. Through hand-carved woodblock prints, she has captured the changing seasons and rugged landscapes of northern Minnesota with bold lines and rich textures, highlighting local plants, wildlife, and traditional woodcraft. Her books include Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet Year, Twelve Owls, and Big Belching Bog, and her illustrations have helped connect readers of all ages to the region’s environment. Presented annually, the Kerlan Award honors outstanding contributions to the creation of children’s literature and acknowledges the donation of distinctive materials to UMN’s Kerlan Collection. The Children’s Literature Research Collections, home to the Kerlan Collection, preserves books, manuscripts, illustrations, comic books, story papers, and other resources that document the making of children’s literature and is recognized as a leading repository in the field.