Free events in Grand Forks, ND

Celebrate the Class of 2026 at the Summer Commencement Social hosted by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. Stop by for free food and drinks, enjoy time with fellow graduates, and get in on special photo opportunities before commencement. Family and friends are welcome, and there’s no registration required.

Saturday features a Threshermans breakfast, a vendor show, a hotdish contest, live entertainment, live demonstrations, and sheep and emus. Admission is free. Sunday includes a church service followed by Sunday dinner and a tractor pull. All weekend, there is live entertainment on the bandstand, food, and demonstrations that include broom making, the sawmill, threshing, spinning, steam engines, the printing press, and more.

This free gospel music concert features The Kerschner Family.

A heatstroke awareness display at All 4 Learning illustrates how fast a parked vehicle can reach dangerous temperatures for young children. The Safe Kids van and exhibit will be arranged outdoors near the main entrance for a brief look. The message is relevant to every driver, not only those traveling with kids, because any parked vehicle could be entered by a child.

United Lutheran Church offers free summer lunches in its fellowship hall, and people of all ages are welcome. These meals bridge the late summer gap after park lunches end and before school meals resume, supporting children and families who need a reliable place to eat. Local school and community leaders highlight the difference this effort makes, and the church is prepared to serve neighbors in need. Donations of dessert or treat items and volunteer help are appreciated.

Poker Night at Southgate offers free-to-play poker at the tables, creating a casual setting for friendly competition and card play.

Get everything you need to start college in one visit at Northland Community & Technical College. This free, walk-in event provides personalized guidance through the entire enrollment process, including help with your application, FAFSA and financial aid, academic advising, class registration, scholarship and payment options, campus tours, student IDs, and information about programs and student support services. It is designed for new students ready to begin, applicants who still have steps to complete, and anyone exploring programs or next steps. Bring what you can, such as a photo ID and immunization records if available. Requesting that your high school, GED, or college transcripts be sent directly to Northland beforehand is helpful, but it is not required. No appointment is needed.

Every Tuesday is dedicated to Kids Day with a family-friendly offer. Children ages 12 and under receive a free meal with the purchase of an adult meal, limited to one child per paying adult.

A community gathering at Grand Forks Public Library celebrates the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Grand Forks County. Hosted by the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, the event offers children’s activities, storytelling, snacks and beverages, and remarks from local leaders and supporters. The flow includes an open house and activities, a program with speakers, then more time for hands-on fun. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is an early childhood literacy initiative that mails a free, high quality, age-appropriate book each month to enrolled children from birth until their fifth birthday, encouraging a love of reading from the start. Enrollment is now available for Grand Forks County residents. Everyone is welcome, and no RSVP is required. Please note that photography and video may occur, and images or audio may be used in digital or printed materials. To opt out of image release, send a written request to communityfoundation@gofoundation.org.

DJ Trivia at Southgate features team-based trivia with no cost to participate. Gift card prizes include $30 for first place, $20 for second, and $10 for third.

Enjoy an open air screening at Lincoln Drive Park as the Movie in the Park series brings big screen fun to Grand Forks. The feature presentation is Mario Super Galaxy, rated PG. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs for comfortable seating and relax beneath the sky while this outdoor series visits parks around the city with a blend of beloved classics, action and adventure, and recent releases. Admission is free. Presented by Cornerstone Caregiving.

Midtown Marketplace hosts a vendor showcase at the Alerus alongside the Shriners during their annual meeting. This public event offers free admission. Additional details will be shared as they become available.

Enjoy Storytime followed by a craft activity. Each week features a new theme explored through stories, songs, rhymes, flannel board activities, and more. The session usually runs 30 to 45 minutes. It is designed for children ages 3 to 6, and kids of all ages are welcome. Craft materials are provided at no cost.

This ongoing peer group at the Campbell Library in East Grand Forks is for adults 18 and older who are grieving the death of someone close. There is no fee to participate, and eligibility is limited to residents of North Dakota and Minnesota. A participation form must be completed before attending. For help with the form, call (800) 237-4629 and ask for the grief support department.

Shop seasonal fruits, vegetables, and other farm-fresh goods at the 4th Street Farmers Market. Vendors set up along the east sidewalk outside the County Office Building, offering a Thursday gathering to pick up local produce and support the growers who raise it.

At Rydell Cars, this free, family-friendly car seat safety event offers guidance from certified child passenger safety technicians. Families can have car seats and booster seats checked for proper installation, confirm that each child is in the right seat for their age and size, and learn expert tips to keep kids safe on the road. Appointments are accepted, and the event is open to the public with walk-ins welcome. Kids grow fast, so keeping car seat setups up to date helps provide peace of mind while making safety simple and fun.

The Zuhrah Mariners will be out in full force, continuing their fun tradition at the Midwest Shrine Association parade in Crookston, North Dakota. Parade lineup takes place in a large lot near the DVS Office.

RiverView Health offers two CPR options designed for different needs. The HeartSaver CPR AED course is intended for participants who require certification. The fee is $60 and includes the HeartSaver CPR AED eCard and book, and the session concludes with a test. The Friends and Family course is intended for those who want practical knowledge without certification. It is offered at no cost through support from Crookston American Legion Post 20, covers essential actions to take in life-threatening emergencies, and includes a Friends and Family CPR book. Both classes run for four hours and take place at the RiverView Home Care Building. Registration is required, and payment for the HeartSaver course is due at the time of registration. These classes are provided through RiverView’s American Heart Association Community Training Center, which is authorized to offer AHA courses through affiliated instructors. The AHA supplies instructional materials but does not sponsor these classes and is not responsible for class fees. Except for the portion that covers AHA materials, fees do not represent income to the AHA.

Brick and Barley hosts a weekly night of free cash bingo with chances to win prizes, including a growing cash jackpot. After the games wrap up, the evening continues with karaoke.