Updated
Every listing in this directory that costs nothing. 41 sources, linked on each listing.
Showing 1–40 of 85
Minneapolis · Broadway Pizza (participating locations) · Multiple Twin Cities locations · Restaurants
Kids eat free on Family Night (typically Mondays) with adult entrée purchase at many locations. Confirm specific location.
When: Varies by location (often evening)
Listed on Upparent Twin Cities Kids Eat Free listLast verified:
Minneapolis · Cafe Racer Kitchen · 2929 E 25th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406 · Food Pantries
Monthly free community lunch open to everyone (dine-in or takeout). Menu varies; dietary needs accommodated. Donations welcome but not required. Ongoing since 2016.
When: 11am–1pm on the last Monday of each month
Listed on Cafe Racer / local listings and Instagram confirmations of monthly free mealLast verified:
Minneapolis · Patrick's Bakery & Café · 2928 W 66th St, Edina/Richfield, MN (Minneapolis metro) · Restaurants
Kids under 12 eat free with purchase of one adult entrée; kids meal must be of equal or lesser value. Entertainment by Lulu the Clown on these nights.
When: 4pm to close
Source: Patrick's Bakery & Café official kids menuLast verified:
Minneapolis · Patrick's Bakery & Café · 2928 W 66th St, Edina/Richfield, MN (Minneapolis metro) · Restaurants
Kids under 12 eat free with purchase of one adult entrée; kids meal must be of equal or lesser value. Entertainment by Lulu the Clown on these nights.
When: 4pm to close
Source: Patrick's Bakery & Café official kids menuLast verified:
Minneapolis · Walker Art Center · 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Events
Free museum admission every Thursday night 5–9 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month. Kids and teens under 18 always free.
When: Thursdays 5–9 p.m.; first Saturday monthly
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Walker Art Center · 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Events
Free Thursday Nights every Thursday 5–9 p.m. with free gallery admission and creative programs.
When: Every Thursday 5–9 p.m.
Source: Walker Art CenterLast verified:
Minneapolis · Walker Art Center · 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Entertainment
Free gallery admission Thursday nights from 5 to 9 p.m.
When: Every Thursday 5–9 p.m.
Source: Walker Art CenterLast verified:
Minneapolis · Walker Art Center · 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Kids & Family
Children and teens under 18 always free. Also free for EBT/SNAP holders, Tribal Nations citizens/members, and all visitors on Free Thursday Nights and Free First Saturdays.
When: Gallery hours; free Thu 5–9pm and first Sat
Source: Walker Art Center official visit/admission pageLast verified:
Minneapolis · Tailgate Sports Cafe · 6050 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55419 · Restaurants
One free kids meal per adult entrée purchased (kids 12 & under typical).
When: 11am–9pm
Listed on Family Fun Twin Cities verified kids eat free listLast verified:
Minneapolis · The Melting Pot Minneapolis · Downtown Minneapolis (confirm current location via site) · Restaurants
Kids under 12 eat free with purchase of an adult entrée. One free kids’ entrée per adult entrée. Excludes holidays and special events. Reservations encouraged.
When: Saturdays 12–3pm; all day Sunday
Listed on Melting Pot Minneapolis official events pageLast verified:
Minneapolis · Art-a-Whirl / NE Minneapolis Arts District · Northeast Minneapolis arts district · Events
Largest art crawl of its kind—free and open to the public with 800+ artists at 60+ locations.
When: Annual spring weekend
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Walker Art Center · 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Events
Free gallery admission and free family-friendly programming/activities on the first Saturday of every month.
When: 10am–5pm (activities often 10am–3pm)
Source: Walker Art Center official Free First Saturday pageLast verified:
Minneapolis · Walker Art Center · 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Events
Free museum admission every Thursday night 5–9 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month. Kids and teens under 18 always free.
When: Thursdays 5–9 p.m.; first Saturday monthly
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · The Patty Wagon · 6042 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55419 · Restaurants
One free kid’s meal per adult entree purchased for kids 12 & under.
When: 11am–9pm
Listed on Family Fun Twin Cities verified kids eat free listLast verified:
Minneapolis · The Melting Pot Minneapolis · Downtown Minneapolis (confirm current location via site) · Restaurants
Kids under 12 eat free with purchase of an adult entrée. One free kids’ entrée per adult entrée. Excludes holidays and special events. Reservations encouraged.
When: Saturdays 12–3pm; all day Sunday
Listed on Melting Pot Minneapolis official events pageLast verified:
Minneapolis · Art-a-Whirl / NE Minneapolis Arts District · Northeast Minneapolis arts district · Events
Largest art crawl of its kind—free and open to the public with 800+ artists at 60+ locations.
When: Annual spring weekend
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Taco Bell · Participating U.S. Taco Bell locations in Minneapolis metro · Fast Food
New Taco Bell Rewards members get a free Welcome Reward: choose a Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito or Soft Taco. Redeemable once, via the app, within 14 days of issuance, while supplies last. Free account required. Participating U.S. locations.
When: Ongoing
Source: Taco BellLast verified:
Minneapolis · Chili's Grill & Bar · Participating Chili’s in Minneapolis (chilis.com) · Restaurants
My Chili’s Rewards members get free chips & salsa every visit with a $5 minimum purchase. Sign up in the Chili’s app or at chilis.com/register. Confirm your Minneapolis Chili’s participates.
When: Every visit for My Chili’s Rewards members; $5 minimum purchase
Source: Chili'sLast verified:
Minneapolis · Moe's Southwest Grill · Participating Moe’s in Minneapolis (moes.com/locations) · Restaurants
Moe Rewards members get one Kids Meal on us with each qualifying entrée purchase at participating Moe’s (excludes add-ons/taxes/fees; not with other offers). Reward cycles weekly—apply at checkout. Confirm a Minneapolis location on moes.com.
When: Weekly Rewards kids-meal reward with qualifying entrée; issued Sat expires Fri (or Sun–Sat per loyalty variant)
Source: Moe's Southwest GrillLast verified:
Minneapolis · Northrup King Building · 1500 Jackson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 · Events
Fall open studio event showcasing four floors of local artists’ work, interactive activities, food trucks, and holiday shopping.
When: 2026-11-13
Source: Northrup King BuildingLast verified:
Minneapolis · The Dayton’s Project · 700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402 · Events
Sixth year of the holiday market with 100+ local makers, food (wild rice soup, popovers, ginger cookies), beverages, and Jingle Giles Holiday Bar.
When: 2026-11-12
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Minneapolis Institute of Art · 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404 · Events
Monthly free Family Day with hands-on activities, storytelling, artist demos, and gallery hunts themed around skeletons and Japanese art.
When: 2026-11-08 10:00
Listed on Meet Minneapolis / MiaLast verified:
Minneapolis · Walker Art Center · 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Events
Monthly free gallery admission day with family activities connecting visitors to the artwork.
When: 2026-11-07
Source: Walker Art CenterLast verified:
Minneapolis · The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) · 5500 Stevens Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419 · Events
Free evening access to galleries and shop. No pre-registration required.
When: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Source: The Museum of Russian ArtLast verified:
Minneapolis · Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board · Lake Harriet, Minneapolis · Events
Free winter kite festival at Lake Harriet.
When: Annually in January
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · North Loop Green · 350 N 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401 · Events
Authentic German-style Christmas market with 40+ local vendors, alpine huts, mulled wine, traditional foods, live music, dance, Santa visits, and family activities. Outdoor.
When: Fri 4–9 PM; Sat 11 AM–9 PM; Sun 11 AM–7 PM (weekends only)
Listed on Minneapolis Christkindl MarketLast verified:
Minneapolis · Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board · Neighborhood parks and lakes citywide · Events
Dozens of free outdoor rinks with warming rooms; most offer free loaner skates.
When: Winter season
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board · Parks across Minneapolis · Events
Free outdoor concerts and movie screenings at parks across the city in summer.
When: Summer evenings (seasonal calendar)
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Nicollet Island Pavilion · Nicollet Island, Minneapolis, MN · Events
Two days of local shopping, festive vibes, and community spirit inside the historic pavilion to start the holiday season.
When: Varies
Listed on Minneapolis ParksLast verified:
Minneapolis · Open Streets Minneapolis · Rotating street routes (Hennepin, West Broadway, etc.) · Events
Free car-free street events with music, vendors, and community activities.
When: Seasonal event series
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Saint Paul · Union Depot · 214 4th St E, Saint Paul, MN 55101 · Events
26th annual Rain Taxi Twin Cities Book Festival: book fair with 140+ exhibitors, author readings, kids programs, used book and record sale. Free admission.
When: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Listed on Twin Cities Book Festival / Rain TaxiLast verified:
Minneapolis · Basilica of St. Mary · 88 N 17th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Entertainment
Free self-guided or docent tours of the first basilica in the United States.
When: See basilica for tour hours
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · City of Minneapolis / MPRB · Citywide · Entertainment
Seven curated free online map tours of public artworks across Minneapolis.
When: Self-guided anytime
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) · 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404 · Entertainment
Mia offers free general admission daily with works from six continents.
When: Daily during museum hours
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Weisman Art Museum · 333 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55455 · Entertainment
Frank Gehry–designed museum with free admission every day of the week.
When: Daily
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · AARP Foundation · Participating Tax-Aide sites in Minneapolis metro · Bills & Assistance
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free tax preparation at sites nationwide.
When: Tax season
Source: AARP FoundationLast verified:
Minneapolis · Aliveness Project · Food Pantries
Minneapolis food shelf listed as a Second Harvest Heartland agency partner.
Listed on Second Harvest Heartland agency partnersLast verified:
Minneapolis · Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (Walker Art Center) · 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Parks & Outdoors
Iconic outdoor sculpture park (including Spoonbridge and Cherry) always free and open year-round.
When: Daily 6am–midnight
Listed on Walker Art Center official free admission pageLast verified:
Minneapolis · Baskin-Robbins · Baskin-Robbins shops in Minneapolis · Birthday Freebies
Baskin-Robbins Rewards / Birthday Club members can redeem a free birthday treat (typically a small scoop) at participating U.S. shops via the BR App. Create an account, add your birthday, and opt in; confirm current offer in the app.
When: Birthday (Birthday Club / app members)
Source: Baskin-Robbins RewardsLast verified:
Minneapolis · Benefits.gov · Nationwide in Minneapolis metro · Bills & Assistance
Official U.S. government benefits finder for assistance programs including utility and phone discounts.
When: Ongoing
Source: Benefits.govLast verified:
Minneapolis · Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board · Bde Maka Ska / Lake Harriet / Lake of the Isles area · Parks & Outdoors
Free scenic walking and biking trails connecting Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake of the Isles, and more.
When: Daily
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified:
Minneapolis · Chili's Grill & Bar · Participating Chili’s in Minneapolis · Birthday Freebies
My Chili’s Rewards members receive a free birthday dessert (expires 10 days after issue). Redeem via app or tabletop device at participating Minneapolis Chili’s.
When: Birthday reward; expires 10 days after issue
Source: Chili'sLast verified:
Minneapolis · Chili's · Chili's Grill & Bar locations in Minneapolis · Birthday Freebies
My Chili's Rewards members receive a birthday reward. Join the free program, add your birthday, and redeem at participating Chili's. Confirm current birthday offer in the Chili's app or account before visiting.
When: Birthday (Rewards members; check app for current birthday offer)
Source: Chili'sLast verified:
Saint Paul · Como Park Zoo & Conservatory · 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103 · Kids & Family
Como Zoo & Conservatory is free year-round—animals and Sunken Garden. Twin Cities family favorite (St. Paul, easy from Minneapolis).
When: Year-round
Listed on Meet MinneapolisLast verified: