With lots of free concerts, a few pop-up markets, and a late-night dance party.
FRIDAY
The Matt Arthur Contraption
8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Bonnie Drunken Lad
Irish tunes. 7 p.m. Padraigs, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.
The Strum Brothers
6-9 p.m. 11 Wells Spirits, 704 Minnehaha Ave. E., St. Paul.
Model Cars & Vintage Toys Extravaganza
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 5-9. Your Turn LLC, 6870 Washington Ave. S., Eden Prairie.
The Haws, The Beavers
10 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Friday Night Open Mic
21+. 10 p.m. The Comedy Corner Underground, 1501 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis.
First Friday Dance Party Vol. 4
With tunes from DJ Robbins Brazil and DJ Molefacekiller, Rocket Pizza serving eats, and local vendors. RSVP for a free Axman party bag. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. BlackStack Brewing, 755 Pryor Ave. N., St. Paul.
A man and his rubber chicken hit the dance floor. BlackStack Brewing
Holiday Markets
Raging Art On
Shop all kinds of rockin’ items from local artists. Free. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed.-Sat. through Jan. 6. Gamut Gallery, 717 S. 10th St., Minneapolis.
Winter Skolstice at Viking Lakes
Featuring vendors, holiday-themed cocktails, food trucks, free live music, outdoor activities for kids, and more. While some events have cover charges, many happenings are free admission. 4-9 p.m. Mon.-Wed.; 4-10 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 3-10 p.m. Sun. through Feb. 24. Viking Lakes, 730 Vikings Pkwy., Eagan; find a complete schedule at explorevikinglakes.com.
Shrimp Olympics | Natalie Jane Zavoral
SATURDAY
Valors, Poison Ivy and The People, Shrimp Olympics
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Early Show
With Superfloor, High Tiny Hairs, and Rank Strangers. 1-4 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Confucisaurus
With Sunshine and the Night Walkers. 9 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Clothing Swap
Zero Waste Minnesota and Tare Market team up for a swap party. All genders and styles are welcome, and unclaimed items will go to Prop Shop EP. Noon to 2 p.m. Tare Market, 945 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis.
Happy New Queers
This LGBTQ+ pop-up features 10 vendors. 2-8 p.m. Wandering Leaf Brewing Company, 2463 Seventh St. W., St. Paul.
Open Studio Saturdays
Open studios, sales, special receptions, and more. Noon to 4 p.m. Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis.
Beer Poking Parties
Try the new Eisbock on the (heated) patio. 11-5 p.m. Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub, 2716 E. 38th St., Minneapolis.
Free First Saturday | Walker Art Center
Free First Saturday
Featuring open galleries, art activities, film screenings, and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (free admission ‘til 5 p.m.). Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.
Free and Easy
8:30 p.m. Mainstreet Bar & Grill, 814 Mainstreet, Hopkins.
Rusty Playground
Americana with a bluegrass twist. 7-10 p.m. Excelsior Brewing Company, 421 Third St., Excelsior.
Mill City Caravan
Hot Club jazz. 7 p.m. Padraigs, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.
Grunge Unplugged
6 p.m. Badger Hill Brewing, 2805 Winners Cir. Dr., Shakopee.
The Twin Cities Record Show
Featuring six vendors with albums, 45s, and music memorabilia, plus beer poking starting at noon. 1-5 p.m. Forgotten Star Brewing, 38 Northern Stacks Dr, Fridley,
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