Let’s explore social events in Minneapolis, MN happening this week. Local events are a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Look through this page and consider going out and socializing during one of these social events.
Social events are great and offer a world of possibilities. You can make new friends, learn new skills, see things from different perspectives and it’s fantastic for your mental health. And never before has companionship and being able to spend time with others been as important as it is today.
You probably remember being a kid and going up to another person your age and saying, “Do you want to be friends?” and that was pretty much that. Friend made. Alas, it’s not quite as simple now that we’re grown up, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult or as awkward as we think. There are thousands of people out there who would love to meet up with others, finding them just takes a bit of help and that’s what we’re here for.
On this page, we hope you’ll find some interesting events in Minneapolis where you can make some new friends.
Local Groups’ Events in Minneapolis
Break the Bubble @ Bauhaus Brew Labs
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: Bauhaus Brew Labs
Bauhaus! Take two. 😉
We were going to hit Bauhaus a month ago, but they had some bad luck with city plumbing. So, let’s try it again. We’re going to fill the place, and you should be there!
So wait, this is a singles event right? Or a professional networking thing?
Nope. Break the Bubble is for making friends, pure and simple. You can leave the pick-up lines and elevator speeches at home. Refr(…)
90 Minutes of Artificial Intelligence Inspiration
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: Lab651
**Overview**
Get ready for an electrifying evening of AI inspiration! Join us for *90 Minutes of AI Inspiration,* where 10 dynamic speakers will each have just 9 minutes to captivate, educate, and inspire with their cutting-edge AI projects, groundbreaking ideas, and game-changing tools that they use and find value in their daily lives. It’s fast-paced, high-energy, and packed with insights that y(…)
International Friends Social
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: FRGMNT Coffee
Come grab a coffee, wear a tag with your name and preferred languages (English included), and circulate with friends. Conversation topics also provided upon request.(…)
MN Tech Happy Hour at Dashfire
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: Dashfire
Welcome Minnesota Tech folks! We’re an in-person casual technology enthusiast group that meets to talk shop and enjoy drinks. Open and welcome to anyone who works (or wants to work) in technology, software, IT, startups, etc.
This month, we’re rolling into Dashfire’s Elusive Cocktail Room. There will be both food and drinks for purchase as well as spirit-free options.
\*No affiliation with “Minn(…)
North Loop Girls Who Walk Winter Coffee Social
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: WeWork 729 N Washington Ave
✨ It’s winter! With the cold weather officially here, we are pausing walks and just meeting up for coffee. Join us at FRGMNT in North Loop!
✨ Walks, talks, socials & gals!
✨ Transfemme folk are welcome!
✨ Friendly, leash-trained dogs welcome!(…)
Young Adults meditation meeting
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Common Ground Meditation Center
This is a community-oriented meditation meeting for adults roughly in the 18-40 age range.
We will introduce ourselves, have a 30-minute guided meditation, a reading, small group discussion about the day’s topic, and time afterward for socializing. All experience levels are welcome!
Come be a part of this growing community of young adult meditators!
Join us in-person or on Zoom:
https://us02web(…)
Happy New You!
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Ridgedale Library
**T. Colin Campbell** has said, “**Diet is the master key to health**.” Build a new you this year using top-quality materials. Choose the food that is health-promoting over the food that is health-depriving. Please join us to discuss dietary impacts on your health and transitioning to a lifestyle that helps you become the best version of yourself.
A complimentary light lunch from the Universal Mea(…)
Board Games at Lake Monster Brewing
◦ When: Tuesday, Jan 21st
◦ Where: Lake Monster Brewing
Join us for an evening of fun and games at Lake Monster Brewing! I’ll bring a couple dozen of my own games to share, but if there’s something on your shelf you’ve been wanting to get on the table, feel free to bring it along! Whether you’re just interested in meeting new folks and making connections or you’re hoping to get play something with depth and strategy, we’ve got something for everyone.
(…)
Board and Card Games @ Inbound Brewing (Mpls North Loop)
◦ When: Tuesday, Jan 21st
◦ Where: Inbound Brewco
Come learn modern low-to-middle-weight board and card games while making new friends! Feel free to bring and teach games.
RSVPs are required.
Our focus is accessible, fun games that you’ve probably never heard of or played; some are strategic, some are social.(…)
UGs Fri. Dinner and HH at the Bulldog
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: The Bulldog UPTOWN
It’s time for some decently priced comfort food.
There’s also happy hour specials but I’ll have to call for those as they’re not on the website.
Here’s just a sample of some of the things on offer.
MINI CORN DOGS, Pot roast, mac&cheese, burgers, burritos, hotdogs and pasta!
BASIL PESTO PASTA
spaghetti cooked with housemade basil pesto, english peas, mushrooms, parmesan & parsley 15
GRILLED CHI(…)
Beginner Pickleball Night
◦ When: Tuesday, Jan 21st
◦ Where: Lucky Shots Pickleball
Are you curious about pickleball but not sure where to start? Join us for a fun, beginner-friendly pickleball event!
🏓 What to Expect:
* A brief introduction to the game and its rules.
* Paddles and balls provided—just bring yourself and your energy!
* A supportive and welcoming environment to learn and play.
Whether you’re new to the sport or just looking to get a few games in and meet new peo(…)
(FOAM) Winter 2025 FUN FRIDAYS Open Gyms – Southdale YMCA | Dodgeball
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Southdale YMCA
New to dodgeball? Curious to know what dodgeball is all about? Our open gym sessions are the best way to jump in and try out the sport for yourself!
These sessions provide an opportunity for players to drop in and try out dodgeball for a fee of $5. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned veteran, our goal is to ensure that you have a fantastic and safe time.
**Location:** Southdale YMCA, 73(…)
A Somewhere in Between Hike – Old Cedar Avenue Bridge – Bass Ponds
◦ When: Wednesday, Jan 22nd
◦ Where: Old Cedar Ave Trailhead
This hike is for those of us looking for something less than an intense fitness hike but more than a leisurely walk in the park. We will hike approximately four miles at a moderate pace (~18 minute mile). We’ll meet at Old Cedar Avenue Bridge trailhead parking lot. We will hike on a wide, flat trail along the Minnesota River.
We will only wait two or three minutes for latecomers. No dogs or plus o(…)
Power BI Meetup | Bald Man Brewing
◦ When: Wednesday, Jan 22nd
◦ Where: Bald Man Brewing
Join others from around the local **Power BI/Fabric** community for a tasty craft-brew and some great data-driven networking.
Power BI and Microsoft Fabric are the backbone for many organizations as they navigate the modern Data and AI landscape.
*The Twin Cities Power BI & Fabric Meetup is designed to provide a venue for local data-driven professionals, to connect likeminded professionals with (…)
Board Games at Burning Brothers Brewing
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: Burning Brothers Brewing
Join us for an evening of fun and games at Burning Brothers Brewing! I’ll bring a couple dozen of my own games to share, but if there’s something on your shelf you’ve been wanting to get on the table, feel free to bring it along! Whether you’re just interested in meeting new folks and making connections or you’re hoping to get play something with depth and strategy, we’ve got something for everyon(…)
Meet and greet #2-updated time and place
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Hard Times Cafe
for all those that may have wanted to be at the meet and greet and we have full capacity, this is a second meet and greet. if you signed up for the first meet and greet please allow others to sign up for this one.
***this is a cash only restaurant but it looked really good with variety so come prepared to pay with cash***
breakfast is served all day and they have great plant based and non plant (…)
Cool Mountain Trip Presentations (1 of 2)
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Hennepin County Library Rockford Road
Come see members of this meetup group present on recent backpacking/trekking trips to cool places:
* 11-day Guided Yosemite Backpacking (Craig M)
* The Centenial Trail (Mason T)
* Backpacking in the Boundary Waters – Sioux Hustler Trail (Ash L)
* The Cloud Peak Wilderness (Paul S)
* The Arizona Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail (Rebecca F)
Meet in the large Meeting Room at the Hennepin County Rockford R(…)
Real Estate Investors Social: STEEL TOE BREWING
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: Steel Toe Brewing
If this sounds interesting to you please come down to STEEL TOE BREWING and talk real estate. Open to anyone from newbies to experienced investors and everyone in between. This is open networking and there is no speaker. It is crucial to have a wide network in the real estate investing world and it is directly correlated to the level of success you achieve.
5:30PM start time!
Thanks!! Looking fo(…)
Create & Connect
◦ When: Tuesday, Jan 21st
◦ Where: Art Shelf
I want to invite everyone to come create at Art Shelf.
Art Shelf is a free to use creative space, with free to use creative supplies. You’re also welcome to bring your own supplies and just hang out and create. It’s mission is deeply rooted in harnessing creativity as a vital source of wellness and resilience. Art Shelf founder, and volunteers, are all on recovery and sobriety journeys, so it’s a(…)
Saucha: Purity of Body, Mind, and Spirit
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Minneapolis Washburn Library
We’re about a month into the year now…how’s everybody doing on those 2025 resolutions or intentions? Perhaps you are off to a great start and you are feeling joyous, fulfilled, and proud or the changes you are making. Maybe you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, discouraged, unfulfilled, or just plain frustrated by setbacks that have come up already. No matter how you’ve started the year, there alwa(…)
Tips to meet people at social events
You can make more friends at one party by showing interest in them than in a month by trying to meet people online. Meeting new people and making genuine connections in local events can be fun and easy if you go with the right mindset.
When it comes to meeting new people, nothing beats showing up in the real world. But none of the tips will work if you are not coming from the right place. Keep an open mind when attending social events. Reframe strangers as potential friends, it will make it much easier to approach conversations and fully engage in them.
When choosing an event, keep an eye on interesting themes, something you can relate to. Meeting new people in the context of mutual interest increases your chances of being friends.
Research events with the types of people you want to meet. They could be people in your age group, your field of work, or a specific neighborhood. Do not be too strict though, loosen up a little bit from your expectations.
Go where people are intentionally looking to make friends such as networking events where it feels normal and expected to walk up and introduce yourself.
In this digital era, apps and websites are the most convenient solutions for finding out about local events. If you are not sure where to look for events happening in Minneapolis, you can try out Exploreminnesota.com, Minneapolis.org, or Globalminnesota.org.
RELATED: How To Meet People In Minneapolis, Minnesota
10 Social Media Trends to Watch in 2025
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: Improving
28-year industry veteran and social media consultant Arik Hanson will provide his pragmatic predictions at the next SMBMSP
MUSE
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Studio 1414
Join us for the 8th and largest MUSE event at Studio 1414 in Minneapolis. Come to create, network and find your muse.
Let’s Talk AI and Owning Your Own Healthcare
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: Minneapolis Club
Join us on January 23 to talk AI and Owning Your Own Healthcare We have another fantastic panel!
Wealth Building w/Marc King
◦ When: Wednesday, Jan 22nd
◦ Where: 6364 John Harris Dr
Learn great wealth-building strategies with Marc King
OutGeek Minneapolis
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: Minneapolis
This event is guaranteed to be more fun than debugging code on a Thursday night! So, what are you waiting for? #outgeek
The Grand Uffda 2025: Bringin’ It Back
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts
Foci MCGA’s Annual Celebration and Fundraiser! Come support the Midwest’s only public-access nonprofit glass studio!
HVAC Champion Summit
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: 600 N Washington Ave suite c203
Sell more HVAC in 2025 by learning from the best selling techs and coaches in the country, all in one room – for a one day event.
Twin Cities CBMC Business Series Luncheon with Alex Wilson
◦ When: Tuesday, Jan 21st
◦ Where: Sunbelt Business Advisors (Broadway Waters Training CR- 1st Floor)
Please make plans to join us for the quarterly luncheon of 2025, explicitly designed for Business Leaders
TCFF 2025 MN Shorts Showcase
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: Marcus West End Cinema
Join us for the 2025 MN Shorts Showcase!
DRONE NOT DRONES – The 10th 28-Hour Drone
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: The Cedar Cultural Center
A benefit for Doctors Without Borders, Minneapolis’ DRONE NOT DRONES is part benefit concert, part art project, part community event.
A Salute to the Golden Age of Nightclubs: An Evening with Nicolas King
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: Main Stage Showroom
Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes.
Kings and Things: Dashcon 2
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: LUSH Lounge & Theater
Were you an avid Tumblr user during the golden era? Still lurking on your dashboard after all these years? This is the stage show for you.
PENNIES FROM HEAVEN The Songs of Louis Prima & Keely Smith
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Main Stage Showroom
Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes.
Using Data for Program Enhancement, Community Planning, and Advocacy
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: Wilder Center (Amherst H. Wilder Foundation)
Learn to use your organization’s data to generate actionable insights and increase your impact!
Mississippi Hot Club 10th Anniversary Party
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: The Hook and Ladder Theater
10 Year Anniversary Party
Laugh The Night Away With Erin And Jay Cabaret
◦ When: Saturday, Jan 25th
◦ Where: Dunsmore Jazz Room
Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes.
Stay With Album Listening Gathering
◦ When: Wednesday, Jan 22nd
◦ Where: Creation Audio
A listening gathering at Creation Audio, to celebrate the release of Stay With, a new album from Ben Weaver.
NEON NOIR – Episode 3 : DANA KAZUKO – SYM1 – REAL GIRL – NatanYael
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: James Ballentine “Uptown” VFW Post 246
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Dancin’ In THE DEAD of Winter
◦ When: Friday, Jan 24th
◦ Where: The Hook and Ladder Theater
A night of celebration with Courtney’s Big-5-Oh!
Book club: Cozy + Coloring Book Club!
◦ When: Thursday, Jan 23rd
◦ Where: Tropes & Trifles
A relaxed club for cozy romances… plus coloring!