(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.)
Coronavirus UPDATE: Many events have been cancelled or may be cancelled before I can remove them here. Please check before going!
Have an event to add to this list? Please email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com. Thanks!
EVERY DAY:
Get the LOWEST-PRICED Crayola Experience Mall of America Discount Tickets via my link!
EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNT Crayola Experience Mall of America tickets through my special link! Tickets are $17.50 (regularly $22.99 – $24.99) THIS IS THE LOWEST PRICE OUT THERE!
- Just click on my personalized online store web link (URL) and enter the access code TCFM. (Or visit https://tickets.crayolaexperience.com and enter my personalized store name: Twin Cities Frugal Mom)
- You’ll be able to purchase and print the tickets right away, saving you time waiting at the entrance turnstiles and bypassing ticket booth lines! And they’re valid for up to a year.
Crayola Experience Mall of America also is offering a 2020 Unlimited Pass for the cost of a full-price admission ticket. The $24.99 ticket purchased this year starting Aug. 21 will be good for unlimited visits to any Crayola Experience attraction through the end of 2020. You can purchase these through my link as well!
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! Tickets are $7.00 (regularly $9.00; save $2 per ticket!)
Regular admission is $9.00 per person, but you can get admission for $7.00 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.You can also save on family memberships: $5 Off Family Memberships (includes Dual, Family, and Family Plus memberships only):
Use code FRUGAL5OFF at checkout. Purchase this at: https://theworks.org/hands-on-kids-museum/membership/.Discounts are offered for special events if you buy tickets in advance. Follow their website and social media pages for updates.$4.50 admission for limited income families through their Gateway program
Update: The Works Museum is temporarily closed. I’ll update when they open again!
EVERY DAY: Get Minnesota Children’s Museum Discount Tickets!
Yes, they’re open!
And 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 online.
- There’s so much to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Check out my review here: https://www.twincitiesfrugalmom.com/2017/06/our-first-visit-new-minnesota-childrens-museum/
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! (Note that many locations are closed right now.)
And check out my list of Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota! The latest to be added to the list is the ALL NEW Bell Museum in St. Paul!
November
Check out these Holiday Lights Drive Thru Events in Minnesota!
Minnesota Children’s Museum Membership Discount! Save $30 on any family membership when you purchase this month only! More details here.
Night Trains. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St. Paul. The museum is open each Saturday 10-2 for daytime hours and reopen from 3-7 for Night Trains! Regular Admission: $10.00, children 4 and under FREE! Family rates available. Night Trains Admission: $15 per guest, kids under the age of 4 are free. There will be no group rate for the 2020-2021 season due to COVID precautions. Tickets are sold in 2 hour blocks for each event. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Norway House’s Gingerbread Wonderland 2020. November 6th, 2020 – January 2, 2021. 913 East Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55404. Together with families, friends, and neighbors, young and old, Norway House’s annual signature holiday tradition Gingerbread Wonderland returns to the Gallery in all of its cinnamon coziness. You’ll recognize familiar buildings and landmarks from the Twin Cities and beyond, created by friends and neighbors—everyone from your favorite local bakeries and cake wizards, to families and first-time gingerbread baking enthusiasts. There are two ways to enjoy – in person (buy tickets online – limited quantity available), or online starting on December 6th!
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum open by reservation only. Chaska. (Free to members, $15 to visitors.) Must make reservations.
Also, check out Winter Lights at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Starts November 19th. This year’s show features thrilling new light displays, including a new tent of lights in the Elizabeth Carr Slade Perennial Garden, an ice luminary display by Jennifer Hedberg and a 3D walk-through apple in honor of the 100th anniversary of the University of Minnesota’s first apple introduction. Tickets went on sale last week and some dates have already sold out, so get your tickets today.
Free Omnifest at Home. Watch free Omnifest movies at home (extended). Each vehicle is $20 (this includes sales tax). Be sure to purchase your ticket early for best choice of date and time.
Free Build-a-Bear Virtual Workshops. Build-a-Bear is offering free Virtual Workshops every Wednesday! There are activities, crafts and free printables. See what’s already on their website.
Many events have been cancelled or postponed. For resources, please see my guide, Coronavirus Financial Relief & Resources for Minnesota Families.
For online Minnesota fun, see my guide, Free Minnesota Printables, LiveCams and Activities to Do at Home.
For free meals, see my guide Free Meals for Kids and Families or see list below.
November Events by Date
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Last day of Sever’s Stories, Riddles & Rhymes! Shakopee. $25 per car.
Postcards Across the Atlantic. 2:00pm. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra – FREE VIRTUAL (repeated) performance. Principal Bass Zachary Cohen gives the world premiere of a new composition by Ambrose Akinmusire, whose acclaimed studio album Origami Harvest was born out of a commission by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music Series. The remainder of the program travels to the United Kingdom with works by Arthur Bliss and William Walton, as well as Five Postcards, a duo for violin and viola by Belize-born British composer and singer-songwriter Errollyn Wallen, who embellishes her work with a touch of popular writing.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
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.
Toddler Tuesdays. 10:00am to Noon. Mall of America. Events, free entertainment and discounts for toddlers. “For the safety of our guests, our weekly Toddler Tuesdays events will be socially distanced. Masks will be required for all guests ages 6+.” Today’s theme: Moose Mountain! We’re changing it up this week as our festive, holiday trees are being built! Let’s hit the links! Come give mini golf your best shot when we visit Moose Mountain Adventure Golf for Toddler Tuesdays®! Play up to nine holes with your toddler.
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution. 4:30pm. Bring $20 and 2 large totes for an ABUNDANCE of food. No income or residency required. ALL WELCOME! Doors open at 4:30. Walk in or register online for less waiting (just show up 15 mins before your timeslot). Go to https://rubyspantry.org/product/bloomington-mn/.Read about my experience here! (Normally this monthly event is on a Tuesday but due to the election it was moved to a Wednesday this month!)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Walker Free First Saturday. Now online. Free though tickets required.
Try Hockey for Free Day. 24 locations in Minnesota are participating.
Free Extreme Sandbox Drive Thru Experience. Extreme Sandbox, Hastings. Shows are at 11:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Virtual Family Day: Foot in the Door. 10:00am -5:00pm. Hosted by Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Celebrate community love and joy during this Family Day, inspired by “Foot in the Door,” an open exhibition for Minnesota artists of all ages held once every 10 years. Hear thoughts on the all-virtual exhibition from Chappal, a talking slipper from the Indian subcontinent, and be inspired to make your own “foot” wear. Try collaborative art projects, like co-creating a creative power grid and playing the Exquisite Corpse, a surrealist drawing game. Take advice on how to reach new heights, love fiercely, and wear fabulous outfits with a video made by Chicks on Sticks stilting around Mia. During the Family Day weekend (November 7–8), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., pick up a free Family Day Artist Tote at Mia’s Third Avenue entrance. The totes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis; no registration is required. The materials in the kit complement the Virtual Family Day program’s activities but are not essential to enjoying the activities.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Toddler Tuesdays. 10:00am to Noon. Mall of America. Events, free entertainment and discounts for toddlers. “For the safety of our guests, our weekly Toddler Tuesdays events will be socially distanced. Masks will be required for all guests ages 6+.” Today’s theme: Paw Patrol! Join us for Toddler Tuesdays! Grab a spot in the TCF Rotunda to watch episodes of “Paw Patrol: Winter Rescues” on the big screen. For the safety of our guests, our weekly Toddler Tuesdays events will be socially distanced + we welcome you to relax on our carpeted areas in the TCF Rotunda. At this time, no hands-on activities will be scheduled.
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Free Entrance to National Parks. On five days in 2020, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Veterans Day – November 11 – is one of them.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Lamentations. 8:00pm. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra – FREE VIRTUAL performance. Amid a global pandemic and social unrest, this is a program centered on grief but anchored in hope. Richard Strauss wrote his Metamorphosen at the close of World War II and quotes directly from Beethoven’s Marcia funebre found within the Eroica symphony. Brahms’ Horn Trio was written in memory of the composer’s recently deceased mother, and the piece intentionally simulates the stages of grief. The concert opens with Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s 1973 Lamentations for Solo Cello, subtitled “Black/Folk Song Suite.” Perkinson described this work as “the reflection and statement of a people’s crying out.” FREE!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Sundays at Landmark. 1:00pm. Apollo – A Presentation by Rob Ellos (Virtual). FREE.
Lamentations (repeated). 2:00pm. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra – FREE Virtual performance. Amid a global pandemic and social unrest, this is a program centered on grief but anchored in hope. Richard Strauss wrote his Metamorphosen at the close of World War II and quotes directly from Beethoven’s Marcia funebre found within the Eroica symphony. Brahms’ Horn Trio was written in memory of the composer’s recently deceased mother, and the piece intentionally simulates the stages of grief. The concert opens with Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s 1973 Lamentations for Solo Cello, subtitled “Black/Folk Song Suite.” Perkinson described this work as “the reflection and statement of a people’s crying out.”
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Toddler Tuesdays. 10:00am to Noon. Mall of America. Events, free entertainment and discounts for toddlers. “For the safety of our guests, our weekly Toddler Tuesdays events will be socially distanced. Masks will be required for all guests ages 6+.”
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Just Between Friends Kids Consignment Sale. Brooklyn Park. November 19 – 22.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Toddler Tuesdays. 10:00am to Noon. Mall of America. Events, free entertainment and discounts for toddlers. “For the safety of our guests, our weekly Toddler Tuesdays events will be socially distanced. Masks will be required for all guests ages 6+.”
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Storytime on Facebook Live. 10:30am. Washington County Library. Join us on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. for Facebook Live storytimes! We’re so excited to virtually sing, talk, read, write, and play with you.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Sounds From Home. 8:00pm. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra – FREE Virtual Performance. Over Thanksgiving weekend, our program centers around our complex and ever-evolving sense of home. Dvořák wrote his American String Quintet after moving to the United States, blending Czech influences with popular American music. The program also features excerpts from Florence Price’s String Quartet No. 2, infused with African dances and Black idioms of the mid-20th century. Principal Flute Julia Bogorad-Kogan performs a solo work by James Lee III, inspired by his long relationship with Brazilian music. Composer Chen Yi was born in Guangzhou, China and settled in the United States, where she is a Professor of Composition at University of Missouri-Kansas City. To come full circle, Dr. Chen will write a new work for Principal Oboe Cassie Pilgrim, whose family hails from the same region of China.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Sundays at Landmark. 1:00pm. Holiday Story Series with JB Eckert (Virtual). FREE.
Sounds From Home (repeated). 2:00pm. St. Paul Chamber Orchestra – FREE Virtual Performance. Over Thanksgiving weekend, our program centers around our complex and ever-evolving sense of home. Dvořák wrote his American String Quintet after moving to the United States, blending Czech influences with popular American music. The program also features excerpts from Florence Price’s String Quartet No. 2, infused with African dances and Black idioms of the mid-20th century. Principal Flute Julia Bogorad-Kogan performs a solo work by James Lee III, inspired by his long relationship with Brazilian music. Composer Chen Yi was born in Guangzhou, China and settled in the United States, where she is a Professor of Composition at University of Missouri-Kansas City. To come full circle, Dr. Chen will write a new work for Principal Oboe Cassie Pilgrim, whose family hails from the same region of China.
These weekly events are discontinued until further notice due to COVID:
EVERY SUNDAY
Free Family Fun Day at the Carl Kroening Interpretive Center in North Mississippi Regional Park (part of the Three Rivers park district). 1:00-3:00pm. A different theme each week!
Kids eat FREE Sundays at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations. 1 Free Kid’s Meal per paid adult meal of equal or greater value. Dine-in only. 12 and under. Must order from Kid’s Meals. Not valid with other offers or promotions. (Dickey’s also offers FREE ice cream with any dine-in purchase, every day!) There are 10+ Dickey’s locations in the Twin Cities area.
EVERY MONDAY
Tail Time at Wild Rumpus. Wild Rumpus Books, 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis. 10:30am. Stories for the wee!
EVERY TUESDAY
Minnesota History Center – Admission is free every Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00pm.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Midtown Global Market -“Wee Wednesdays” from 10:30-11:15am. Fun, entertaining and educational FREE programming for kids 5 years and younger. Every week it’s something different – music, puppet shows, cooking, and more! See their website for schedule.
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. Open to the public 10:00am-4:00pm. (Wednesdays and Saturdays) South St. Paul. Admission is free of charge.
EVERY THURSDAY
Storytime in the Library. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. 10:30 a.m. every Thursday in Andersen Horticultural Library, Snyder Building. Enjoy stories for the young and the young at heart! (Gate admission is $12.00 per adult, free for kids 12 and under.)
Goodwill thrift stores offer 50% off children’s clothing.
Walker Art Museum – Gallery Admission is free from 5:00-9:00pm.
EVERY FRIDAY
Family Night at the Midtown Global Market. Every Friday night from 5:00 – 8:00pm. Free live music, a children’s play area, and free balloons for the first 50 children. Businesses will validate your parking (for up to three hours) with purchase if you park in the 10th Avenue parking ramp.
EVERY SATURDAY
Free Nature Rocks! Outdoor Center Open House. Eden Prairie. 9:00 – 12:00. Enjoy free family-friendly activities such as hiking, hands-on interaction with live animals, craft projects and more! Every Saturday!
Free Kids Club Workshops at Michael’s stores. 10:00am.
Saturday Live! at the St. Paul Public Library. FREE. 11:15am to Noon.
Free children’s craft activity at Lakeshore Learning Stores. 11:00am to 3:00pm. Ages 3 and up. No reservation necessary.
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. Open to the public 10:00am-4:00pm. (Wednesdays and Saturdays) South St. Paul. Admission is free of charge.
