Free events in St. Paul, MN

This volunteer work session focuses on caring for Churchill Gardens, a set of rain gardens in Como Park filled with native plants that support pollinators and help manage stormwater. Participants remove invasive species and take on light garden maintenance. No prior experience or long-term commitment is required. Attendees should be prepared for outdoor tasks that may involve bending, stooping, and walking on uneven ground. Trowels and some gloves are provided, and personal tools are welcome. Check in with the garden leader upon arrival. A consent and liability waiver is required, and a high-visibility vest should be worn if available. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Bringing water is recommended. Registration is optional and helps with planning, and it also provides reminders and updates if a work day is cancelled due to weather.

Enjoy a free, in-person mat Pilates session in the fresh air at Kellogg Mall Park. This 55 minute class welcomes every level and focuses on cultivating strong spinal support while exploring embodied anatomy for overall mental and physical wellbeing. Ease into your day with guided breathing, invigorating movement, and gentle stretching. Participants may experience more steady energy, fewer compensations from overworked muscles, clearer thinking and decision making, improved blood pressure, better sleep, and an increased sense of strength and mobility. Please bring water, sun protection, and your own mat.

Drag queen bingo brings the fun to James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW - Post 246 with Jamie Monroe leading the games. Expect lively rounds, no cover at the door, and $5 Absolut drink specials. Seating can fill quickly, so plan to arrive early to secure a spot. Supported by Absolut.

Yinglong Kung Fu provides affordable, inclusive training in the Southern Dragon style with a focus on real-world self defense. Adults and teens are welcome, and newcomers can observe a session or take part in a free first class. Instruction emphasizes practicality, efficiency, and effectiveness, featuring straightforward movements designed to build personal safety while maintaining the grace, mindfulness, and discipline of traditional Kung Fu. The setting is described as safe and supportive for all backgrounds and experience levels. Details about costs after the trial are available through the tickets link on the event page.

Meet neighbors while you stroll or roll along Victory Memorial Parkway, a Northside walking treasure. There is no set agenda, just a relaxed chance to say hello and share a little kindness and joy. All ages are welcome, and phone-free engagement is encouraged. Take a quick lap or linger for the whole gathering. Pack a picnic, bring blankets or chairs, and settle in along the path if you wish. There is no planned end date, and it will continue on Tuesdays for as long as neighbors are interested.

Neighbors gather to care for native plantings along Furness Parkway between Maryland and Larpenteur. On the north side of Maryland, efforts focus on a swale, a western stump area, and an eastern slope with tasks like hand weeding, edging, and planting and watering. The south side becomes shadier later in the day and involves hand weeding, planting and watering, and removing larger weeds such as burdock, dandelions, and creeping bellflower. Activities range from lighter to more strenuous, so participants can choose what fits their comfort level. A few tools are sometimes available, though bringing a shovel, trowel, and hand snips is helpful, along with gloves, a hat, water, sunscreen, and a snack. Plans may change with weather or other factors. Plant lists and guidance are available from Blue Thumb’s native plant resources, and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources offers straightforward planting designs for different situations.

Dirty Shorts Brass Band performs at Minnesota Music Cafe as part of a jazz night. There is no cover charge.

Each Tuesday, this weekly party brings DJs spinning current and classic hip hop and R&B, curated by DJ Dimitry Killstorm of Cheap Thrills. It takes place in the Lyndale bar at the Uptown VFW, features two-for-one drink specials, and has no cover charge.

Tunes on the Plaza returns in 2026 with free concerts at Peavey Plaza that highlight a broad mix of local talent, spanning Americana, jazz, soul, hip hop, and more. This installment spotlights Minneapolis singer-songwriter Hibah Hassan, whose sharp lyrics and lilting, sometimes punchy melodies offer a window into the experiences of a hopelessly romantic twenty-something. Her debut album, hopeless romantic, is currently available. The 2026 series is presented in partnership with the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, and the Minneapolis Downtown Council, with talent booking managed by Ostrom Entertainment LLC.

This weekly farmers market features fresh-from-the-farm produce, sweet and savory treats, and handcrafted goods. Each week also brings hot food and live music to enjoy while you browse.

Grammy-winning guitarist Pat Donohue leads a night of top-tier live music at The Midway Saloon in St. Paul, MN, joined by a changing lineup of his talented friends. Each performance features a different guest, ranging from standout local musicians to touring professionals, so every show brings something new. Expect brilliant guitar playing, easygoing stories, and a relaxed vibe that helps you unwind. Admission is free and the setting is family friendly.

Test your knowledge with bar trivia in the VFW Karaoke Bar. Prizes are up for grabs, including gift cards to the Uptown VFW. There is no cover charge. A drink special features $5 Jack Daniels in several varieties, including the classic whiskey, Tennessee Fire, Tennessee Honey, and Tennessee Apple.

A longstanding club night at James Ballentine "Uptown" VFW - Post 246 built for music lovers who appreciate range, blending new wave, indie rock, British pop, funk, garage, punk, post-punk, synth pop and electro, with plenty of surprises in between. It is also heard as a weekly program on Minnesota Public Radio’s 89.3 The Current, where each edition centers on a new theme. There is no cover charge.

Free monthly lunch socials welcome LGBTQ+ adults and allies ages 62 and older. Hosted at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, this drop-in gathering provides a warm, affirming setting to share a meal, connect through conversation, and build community. No RSVP is required, just come by and enjoy the company of peers. Please note that Friends & Co events and programs may include photography, audio, or video recording. If you prefer not to be photographed or recorded, you can step aside or let a staff member know at any time, and no explanation is needed.

Registration is open for Watermark Sketch Minneapolis 2026, a free two-day sketch weekend hosted by Urban Sketchers Twin Cities. Registration and tickets are required. Guest artist Jenny Jing Zhang will be featured throughout the weekend. Her practice embraces creative exploration, shifting perspectives, and playful mixed media. She works freehand in ink and pencil with gentle watercolor washes, allowing lines to wander, and is an artist, illustrator, architectural designer, and educator based in Chicago. The weekend begins with an evening presentation at the A-Mill Performance Hall titled Mixed Media: Changing Gears Based on the City’s Essence. The next day brings morning demos around the Mill District led by Jenny and four Urban Sketchers Twin Cities artists. Several morning options are available, and some require a separate ticket. Afternoon sketch walks will head to various locations, followed by time to socialize, and the day wraps up in the evening. Please review the registration page carefully when selecting sessions. Watermark graphic credit: Colin Klotzbach.

SALSA BRAVA returns to Eat Street Crossing and the ESC Bar with a Latin dance party. Enjoy indoor and outdoor spaces, free admission, and a mix of salsa, bachata, timba, cumbia, merengue, reggaeton, and more.

Now in its fifth year, this lively flea market brings together a broad mix of vendors and bargain hunters at Ken Yackel-West Side Arena, with events also taking place at Aldrich Ice Arena. Admission is free for the public, while vendors purchase spots. Browse food trucks and food stands, baked and cottage foods, brand-new and secondhand goods, distinctive handmade items, vintage and antique finds, toys, Hot Wheels and Pokemon collectibles, Amazon resell offerings, and more. Friendly conversations, casual networking, and a bustling atmosphere set the scene for an in-person treasure hunt, with plenty to eat and plenty to discover while enjoying the weather.

Enjoy an outdoor Nia class on the grass at Hidden Falls Regional Park in St. Paul, co-led by Beth Giles and Andrea Weiss. Nia blends nine movement forms from dance, martial arts, and healing arts to create a full body practice focused on moving in ways that feel good. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. You choose your own intensity, so it can be a strong aerobic workout or a gentle session. Offered through St. Paul Fitness in the Park, there is no fee to participate. Optional donations are accepted by cash or Venmo, and existing class packages on Momence can be used as a donation. Parking is available next to the picnic pavilion at the North Gate entrance off Mississippi River Blvd. The class takes place in the small valley just below the pavilion. Wear comfortable clothing. Nia is typically practiced barefoot, and clean, soft-soled shoes are also fine. Bring a water bottle and a mat or towel for the end of class. Bug spray and sunscreen will be available.

Enjoy a community movie night featuring Wicked 2 at Browndale Park. This outdoor screening is free and welcoming to all ages. Bring something to sit on, such as a chair or blanket, and pack your own snacks. No registration is required.

AmberTree returns to the Farmers Market Annex in Minneapolis with a varied selection of sterling silver jewelry. Look for the booth by the giant rooster landmark. This marks the 23rd year at the market, following a season last year without a single missed day despite tough weather, including a Saturday in August when rain blew sideways. Hopes are for a 2026 repeat of the strong attendance, not the stormy conditions.

The Linden Hills Farmers Market features a changing mix of about fifty participants, including farmers, small-scale food producers, chefs, and artists, with live music throughout. It is held in the parking lot of Settergrens of Linden Hills and takes place rain or shine.

The farmers market is returning and will be set up in a parking lot. It will take place only when weather allows.

Explore Twin Cities Vintage Flea, a pop-up marketplace created by the organizers of Totally Rad Vintage Fest in collaboration with 56 Brewing in NE Minneapolis. Browse a carefully curated selection of vintage clothing, accessories, and collectibles from many eras. Admission is free, making it easy to hunt for standout pieces, support local vendors, and connect with other vintage enthusiasts while enjoying a 56 Brewing beer.

Affordable, inclusive Kung Fu instruction centered on practical self defense welcomes adults and teens of all experience levels in a safe, supportive environment. Training follows the Southern Dragon tradition with a strong focus on real-world application and personal safety, guided by principles of practicality, efficiency, and effectiveness. Techniques favor direct, uncomplicated, and powerful motions while also nurturing the grace, mindfulness, and discipline that define Kung Fu. Newcomers may observe a class or take a free trial session. Details about continuing after the complimentary class, including pricing, are available on the organizer’s website through the tickets link.