Deals & Events Calendar

(Please note: This list is updated as events become known. Be sure to check with the event host/venue in advance as there may be changes or cancellations at any time.)

Have an event to add to this list? Please email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com. Submissions are not guaranteed – if you would like guaranteed placement, paid advertising packages start at $200. Thanks!

EVERY DAY: Get The Works Museum Discount Tickets!

EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for The Works Museum in Bloomington with my special code!

Regular admission is $13.00 per person, but you can get admission for $11.00 per person with my special code! (Children 2 and under are free.) For $2 Off Admission: Use code TCFMB$2OFF in the “promo code” field on the shopping cart page. (Not valid for special events) Purchase via THIS LINK.
Discounts are offered for special events if you buy tickets in advance. Follow their website and social media pages for updates.
50% off admission for limited income families through their Gateway program

EVERY DAY: Get Minnesota Children’s Museum Discount Tickets!

EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul with my special code TCFM! Save $3 per admission!

Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 per admission on tickets both online and in person. You can also use that code to save $20 on a membership either in-person or online.
There’s so much to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Check out my review here.

Also, be sure to check my Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families for how to save (and get FREE admission!) at places all around the Twin Cities!

And check out my list of Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota!

January

Ongoing Events

The Rock and Rock Playhouse: Concerts for Kids!. First Avenue & 7th St Entry, Minneapolis

Game On! at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Through January 4, 2026. Save $3 per ticket with my code TCFM.

Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas is back at Children’s Theatre Company. Now through January 4.

Illuminate: Festival of Lights. Friday, November 7 through January 1. 3001 White Bear Ave, Maplewood, MN.

Twin Cities Auto Show. January 3 – 11.

Save 50% on tickets at Zero Gravity! Mounds View.

January 2025

Events by Date

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1 NEW YEARS DAY

Want a reset for the new year? Enjoy my FREE printable:

25 Ways to Reset for the New Year

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

Friday Morning Story Time with Engineer Paul. 10:15am. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul. Included with admission. The admission is: $10 for kids 1-10 yrs and $2 for adults. Twins are always BOGO!

Mini Mia. 10:15am and 2:15pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Mini Mia features a gallery tour specially designed for caregivers and little ones (ages 0–5), a movement class with Young Dance, and a cozy story time. Make new friends and introduce your child to the wonders of art in a comfortable, kid-friendly setting. Free registration is required. First Wednesday of the month and first Friday of the month.

LEGO Building Competition. 2:00pm. Bricks & Minifigs, 11351 Aquila Dr, Suite 104, Champlin, MN.

First Friday -Paper Bag Luminaries! 5:30 – 7:00pm. Eagan Art House. This month’s activity will be gift wrap origami! No need to register: just drop in!

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

FREE Museum Admission for Bank of America cardholders. January 3-4. First weekend of each month.

FREE Kids Workshop. 9:00am – 12:00pm. Home Depot locations. This month: Tow Truck.

Cocoa, Crafts and Sleds. 10:00am – 1:00pm. 200 Doctor Justus Ohage Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN. Bundle up winter adventurers! And join us for FREE frosty fun! Bring your sled or jump on one of ours! Enjoy cozy cups of cocoa, and hands-on kids’ crafts that let your imagination sparkle. Bring your warmest mittens, your biggest smiles, and let’s slide, sip, and make something amazing together! All ages welcome. Also February 7th.

Art Play. 10:00am – 2:00pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art. 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. This month’s theme: Creative Cardboard!

Free First Saturday: Seek & Find. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Activities are 10:00am – 3:00pm. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Free First Saturday also features free gallery admission on the first Saturday of every month. Gallery admission tickets are available online in advance and on-site on the event day from the Main Lobby desk.

Mini Mia. 2:15pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Mini Mia features a gallery tour specially designed for caregivers and little ones (ages 0–5), a movement class with Young Dance, and a cozy story time. Make new friends and introduce your child to the wonders of art in a comfortable, kid-friendly setting. Free registration is required. First Wednesday of the month and first Friday of the month. Plus today!

Night Trains. 3:00 – 7:00pm. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St. Paul. Saturdays from November 8th through February 28th.

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4

FREE Museum Admission for Bank of America cardholders. January 3-4. First weekend of each month.

Music Under Glass. 4:30 – 6:30pm. Como Zoo, St. Paul. Select Sundays and Wednesdays from January 4 – February 4.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6

FREE First Tuesday at Washington County Parks. On the first Tuesday of every month (non-holiday), visit any Washington County Park FREE. No Vehicle Permit required.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

Tots & Trains. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. First and third Wednesdays. Admission is $11 for adults, $6 for ages 3-6. Check their website for pricing bundles and more info.

Mini Mia. 10:15am and 12:15pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Mini Mia features a gallery tour specially designed for caregivers and little ones (ages 0–5), a movement class with Young Dance, and a cozy story time. Make new friends and introduce your child to the wonders of art in a comfortable, kid-friendly setting. Free registration is required. First Wednesday of the month and first Friday of the month.

Free Public Tours. 1:00 – 2:00pm. Union Depot, St. Paul.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!

Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.

Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

Free Admission at 8 Minnesota Historical Society Sites! Four are in the Twin Cities area, and four are in other areas of Minnesota.

Snowman Snack N’ Craft event. 9:00am – 2:00pm. Fleet Farm locations. Each participant will have the chance to create their own Snowman clothes pin craft, and Snowman snack mix! This event is FREE and open to all ages, so bring your family and we’ll see you there!

FREE Community Showing of How to Train Your Dragon. 10:00am. Odyssey Century 9 Theatre, Hutchinson.

Night Trains. 3:00 – 7:00pm. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St. Paul. Saturdays from November 8th through February 28th.

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11

Family Day. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Join us for our free monthly event for families, kids, and the young at heart. On the second Sunday of every month, the museum is filled with hands-on art activities, live music, dance performances, artist demonstrations, family tours and more — all inspired by Mia’s incredible collection.

Music Under Glass. 4:30 – 6:30pm. Como Zoo, St. Paul. Select Sundays and Wednesdays from January 4 – February 4.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12

Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution. 4:30pm. Bring $26 and 2 large totes for an ABUNDANCE of food. No income or residency required. ALL WELCOME! Doors open at 4:30. Read about my experience here!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14

Free Public Tours. 1:00 – 2:00pm. Union Depot, St. Paul.

Music Under Glass. 4:30 – 6:30pm. Como Zoo, St. Paul. Select Sundays and Wednesdays from January 4 – February 4.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 15

Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.

Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17

Art Play. 10:00am – 2:00pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art. 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. Theme this month: Creative Cardboard.

Night Trains. 3:00 – 7:00pm. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St. Paul. Saturdays from November 8th through February 28th.

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18

Community Pet Clinic. 9:00am – 2:00pm. North Minneapolis Pet Resource Center, 2825 2nd St N, Minneapolis, MN.

Music Under Glass. 4:30 – 6:30pm. Como Zoo, St. Paul. Select Sundays and Wednesdays from January 4 – February 4.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21

Music Under Glass. 4:30 – 6:30pm. Como Zoo, St. Paul. Select Sundays and Wednesdays from January 4 – February 4.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22

Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.

Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24

Night Trains. 3:00 – 7:00pm. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St. Paul. Saturdays from November 8th through February 28th.

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25

MONDAY, JANUARY 26

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28

Music Under Glass. 4:30 – 6:30pm. Como Zoo, St. Paul. Select Sundays and Wednesdays from January 4 – February 4.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

Free Days at the Weisman Art Museum. 11:00am – 5:00pm. Weisman Art Museum, 333 E River Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Night Trains. 3:00 – 7:00pm. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St. Paul. Saturdays from November 8th through February 28th.

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

MONDAY, MAY 18

The Hobbit Pay-What-You-Can Night at Theatre in the Round. 7:30pm. Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Games Galore. 10:00am – 8:00pm. Union Depot, Waiting Room, 214 4th Street East, Saint Paul, MN. (Not yet confirmed for 2026)

Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. 310 Airport Rd Hangar 3, South Saint Paul, MN. Museum is open to the public Wednesdays and Saturdays each week from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Please call ahead on all major holidays as the museum may be closed. Admission is free of charge. Donations are always welcome and appreciated when visiting.

EVERY THURSDAY

Walker Art Museum – Gallery Admission is free from 5:00-9:00pm.

EVERY FRIDAY

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

EVERY SATURDAY

Free Kids Club Workshops at Michael’s stores. 10:00am.

Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.

SELECT SATURDAYS

Free children’s craft activity at Lakeshore Learning Stores. 11:00am to 3:00pm. Ages 3 and up. No reservation necessary.