Free events in Wausau, WI

Families with children are invited to enjoy a free screening of the movie “Hoppers” at the library. The story follows Mabel as she uses new technology to communicate with robotic animal versions of creatures, uncovering mysteries about the natural world. Feel free to bring snacks and refreshments, and please help keep the library clean. No registration is required.

Stop by the MCPL Wausau Book Sale Room for a big selection of books, movies, and other materials at low prices. The room is packed with thousands of items, and there’s no cost to browse. All ages are welcome.

Escape the summer sun and build a cozy family fort right between the bookshelves. The library will provide basic supplies to get you started, and you can bring your own blankets, sheets, and pillows to make your fort one of a kind. After it’s built, settle in for a relaxed family reading adventure. This free drop-in program is for children through age 11 and their families.

Enjoy a free Sunday summer jazz concert in downtown Wausau at Kickbusch Plaza, running from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It is held directly behind the Marathon County Downtown Library, with parking available in the lot behind the library. Food trucks will be on site for snacks, or you can bring your own picnic, and it is recommended to bring a chair. If the weather turns, the concert moves to Faraway Place (formerly Malarkey’s) at 408 N Third St.

Drop in to a free, welcoming creative community where you can work independently or in a shared studio environment. Bring a personal project to focus on, or experiment with provided materials connected to each month’s theme. The lineup features relief printmaking in May, rubbings in June, found object printmaking in July, and bean mosaics in August. Open studio hours are unavailable during Summer Art Sessions, Treasuring Memories, and Camry Ivory’s artist residency.

Trade Night at Coulee Cards & Gaming - Wausau brings collectors together to trade and connect. Attendees can bring their collections and meet others who enjoy sports cards, Pokémon, Magic, and other trading card games. Open to all with no registration required. Complimentary pizza will be available, along with no cost raffle drawings. Fun at no cost.

Calling all Pokémon Trainers! Join a monthly Pokémon Club meetup to trade cards and chat about all things Pokémon. This free drop-in program is open to children and their families, and you’ll meet in the Aquarium Room on the second Tuesday of each month.

Teens are invited to drop in at the library for a game session of Celeste® on the Nintendo Switch. Players help Madeline work her way up Celeste Mountain through lots of challenging hand-crafted stages. If you get a Game Over, the next player swaps in, so there is always someone taking a turn. The event is free and open to teens only, with no registration required. It takes place in the Conference Room on the second floor.

This relaxed playdate at JoJo's Jungle features flexible arrival times, allowing attendees to drop in at any point. The event welcomes everyone.

Join a free field trip focused on wildflowers and native plants. You’ll identify native plants and wildflowers, learn about the importance of pollinators, and hear about seed saving. Meet at MCPL Wausau’s lower library parking lot, then take a bus to the Mead Wildlife Area. The bus leaves promptly at 12:15 PM, and you’ll return by 3:45 PM. This program is open to all ages, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required, and the event runs rain or shine.

Enjoy an outdoor movie as the annual summer series brings a free screening to The 400 Block. This showing features Zootopia 2. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your favorite treats for a family-friendly evening in downtown Wausau, and consider stopping by a favorite downtown spot for dinner or dessert before the film. The series is supported by Title Sponsor Love You, Kid!, with media sponsor WAOW Channel 9, and two movies are sponsored by Community Foundation through the Community Arts Grant.