This Week in Geek (7/6/2026–7/12/2026)

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In-Person Events
Virtual Events

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, July 6, to Sunday, July 12.

Although inclusion in This Week in Geek is not an official endorsement of any event or organizer, we do our best to feature events that appear safe, responsible, and consistent with our mission and values. If you feel that one of the events below is incompatible with Twin Cities Geek as an organization, we encourage you to contact us at info@twincitiesgeek.com with your concerns.

In-Person Events

Summer Games Done Quick 2026

What: Gaming, Community
When: Now through Saturday, July 11
Where: Hilton Minneapolis Downtown and virtual via Twitch

Support Doctors Without Borders while watching some of the best speedrunners around at Summer Games Done Quick (GDQ). This annual video-game marathon has raised over $50 million for charity to date. There will be a packed schedule of video-game speedruns, including retro classics, modern hits, and indie darlings. Limited spots remain for the in-person event. Admission for the entire week is $200 or $100 for the weekend only. All of the action will also be streamed live on their Twitch channel.

Shakespeare in Our Parks: The Tempest

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, July 12
Where: Various venues

The Classical Actors Ensemble is back for its 12th summer of Shakespeare in Our Parks. This year the group is performing The Tempest, a tale where an exiled mage shipwrecks his enemies within his domain and must choose between exacting revenge or seeking redemption. These events are free and are performed at different parks throughout the state. Check out the website for the full list of performances, including locations and times. (Read: “Classical Actors Ensemble’s ‘The Tempest’ Contends with Moral Ambivalence”)

Minneapolis Music in the Parks

What: Music, Community
When: Now through Monday, September 7
Where: Various parks around Minneapolis

Enjoy the free Music in the Parks series as it continues through summer. At least one group featured every day. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Music in the Parks performances.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, July 6, and Wednesday, July 8, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

Get your yoga mat and water ready for a free yoga class at the beautiful Union Depot in St. Paul. This event is taught by Studio 9-to-5 in the Depot’s Waiting Room or in the East Plaza when the weather is nice. Monday’s class focuses on a total-body sculpt workout, while Wednesday’s class is less-intense general yoga for all levels. See the event page on the Union Depot website for more information.

Puzzle Exchange

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, July 8, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Edina Library

Stock up on puzzles or trade-in some you are done with. Bringing puzzles is not required to take puzzles. If you bring a puzzle, please bring only those that are complete and have at least 250 pieces. A similar exchange occurs on Saturday at the Oxboro Library in Bloomington.

Nerd Nite Out: July Edition

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, July 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Black Hart Bar

The organizers of Nerd Nite invite you out for a night of “nice drink, good company, and some cold. hard. facts.” Those cold, hard facts come in the form of monthly “nerdy TED talks” in which community members dive into a topic they are passionate about. July’s event has presentations on LGBTQIA+ church search, video-game consoles, and some math.

TC Trek Trivia: Wagon Train to the Stars

What: Trivia
When: Wednesday, July 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Driftwood Char Bar

Hosted by Master Trekkie, TC Trek Trivia consists of five rounds: General Trek (questions covering all things Star Trek); Identify the Image; Ships, Technology, and Cultures; Complete the Quote; and a “Wild Card” round. Questions for each of these five rounds are drawn from all Star Trek television series and all 12 films. According to Master Trekkie himself, TC Trek Trivia is “all ages, no cover, food, drinks, and a whole lot of Trek!” Free, but you must pre-register to play.

Minneapolis Movies in the Parks: F1

What: Movies, Community
When: Wednesday, July 8, at 9:05 p.m.
Where: The Commons

Enjoy a night of community and movie magic under the stars! Movies start at dusk and are free and open to the public. Postponed from last week is F1, a film starring Brad Pitt as a Formula 1 racing driver who returns to the track 30 years after an accident at the behest of a struggling racing team. Check out the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board calendar for a complete schedule of Movies in the Parks screenings.

Dungeons, Dragons, and Drinks: D&D Social Hour

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Thursday, July 9, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Brühaven Craft Co

Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks sponsors frequent one-shot, single-session adventures that can be completed in an evening. This adventure evening includes special guests Amy Vorpahl, Douglas Sarine, and Dave Hill, members of the RPG Improv group, for an informal Talk Back at 7:30 p.m. Free to attend. Read more about Dragons, Dungeons & Drinks.

Reading Is Resistance Book Club: How to Be a Dissident

What: Books
When: Thursday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Comma, a bookshop

This monthly book club centers around books that “keep us informed and engaged in the fight to preserve our democracy.” This month’s selection is How to Be a Dissident by Gal Beckerman, who traces dissidents throughout history and defines their shared characteristics. Next month’s selection is How to Defend Books and Why: Book Bans and How We Fight Them by Danny Caine.

Firefly Viewing Nights

What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Thursday, July 9, Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska)

Enjoy a night hike surrounded by the soft glow of lightning bugs! Start the night by learning about these creatures from a Minnesota master naturalist, then choose from three different routes that vary in length. There is also a make-and-take craft activity and some days include additional presentations. General admission tickets are $20, with discounts available for children and members. Post-convention activities continue through Tuesday, July 14.

DroneArt Show: Space Chase

What: Arts, Family
When: Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11
Where: Allianz Field

Over 1200 drones will tell the story of a space-obsessed boy and an alien who can open wormholes in space and time. General admission tickets start at $56.90 with VIP options as well as discounts for children and groups.

Association for Games & Puzzles International Convention

What: Convention
When: Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis Airport

Members and non-members alike are welcome at this year’s annual AGPI convention for game and puzzle creators, collectors, researchers, and more. Check out the full schedule at the event link. Full event registration is $230, with options available to attend various portions of the weekend event as well.

Friday Art-Making in the Garden

What: Arts
When: Friday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Walker Art Center’s weekly Art Club goes outside for the summer. Explore different mediums and ideas through themed activities designed to be accessible for all ages and levels of experience. Materials are free while supplies last. Instructions available in both English and Spanish. No ticket required.

Summer Friday Night Car Shows

What: Community, Family
When: Friday nights through September 18, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown North St. Paul

Stroll downtown North St. Paul with plenty of shopping and food while appreciating classic cars and live music. Free.

Activities at Afton State Park

What: Educational
When: Saturday, July 11, at various times
Where: Afton State Park

Afton State Park has three different events planned for Saturday. First at 9:00 a.m., Skulls and Bones will talk about identifying bones and what those bones can tell us about how the animals survive in nature. At 11:00 a.m., learn All About Bluebirds, including their common behavior, nesting habits, and natural habitat. From 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., stop by Fossil Fast Facts, a display of common fossils found in Minnesota. No extra charge for any of these events, but a park pass is required for each vehicle entering the grounds.

The Summer’s Best Book Fair for Grown-Ups

What: Books
When: Saturday, July 11, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: State Fair Grandstand

Remember Scholastic book fairs? Inbound BrewCo in partnership with the Loft Literary Center is recreating that experience for adults, including over 200 authors, numerous bookstores and publishers, as well as a variety of crafters and artists. If you are looking to get books signed, be sure to read the event’s signing and personal-book policy. General admission tickets are $22.37, with options for VIP or admission after 3:00 p.m.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, July 11, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: River Park (Brooklyn Park)

Play games and face off in battle with other live-action roleplay (LARP) enthusiasts. This free event is hosted by Greenharbor LARP, a local chapter of the global medieval-fantasy combat LARP organization Amtgard. New players are encouraged to join in on the fun and all equipment is provided for free.

Picturegoer Film Club Presents: The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

What: Movies
When: Saturday, July 11, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Open Eye Theatre

This presentation of John Ford’s award-winning Western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) will be accompanied by a special introductory presentation and a pre-show of vintage materials. Tickets are $10.

Dungeons & Dragons & Doughnuts

What: Gaming
When: Saturday, July 11, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Angel Food Bakery & Coffee Bar (St. Louis Park)

Get ready to roll some dice, slay some dragons, and eat some tasty doughnuts. Adventurers of all levels can join this Dungeons & Dragons game night with quests led by experienced game masters. Tickets are $33.85, which includes a doughnut, colorful set of dice, a premade character sheet, and entry into an artist giveaway, as well as bottomless cider, cold brew, and cocoa.

DJ Dance Ride

What: Sports & Fitness, Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, July 11, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Perennial Cycle

Join the DJ Dance Ride for a perfect night of cycling and dancing with an upbeat soundtrack spun live by local DJs. This slow-paced ride welcomes all wheels, including e-bikes, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades/skates. The planned route is 10 miles round trip, will be mostly on the Greenway, and has two built-in dance stops. This event is free and riders are reminded to bring lights.

Family Day: Elements of Art

What: Arts, Family
When: Sunday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Family Day is a free monthly event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art that gives the young and the young at heart an opportunity to check out performances, hands-on activities, tours, and more. This weekend’s theme is exploring the seven elements of art: line, shape, color, form, value, space, and texture.

Retro Tech Club Monthly Meet

What: Science & Technology, Meetup
When: Sunday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: 2DHQ

Monthly meetup of the newly-formed Minnesota Retro Technology Club, formed to discuss and appreciate “vintage computers, video games, audio-video equipment, antique cameras, and much more.” Access is free, but donations are encouraged.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, July 12, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Shieldmaiden Sundays are a dedicated space for female-identifying (including trans women/femme) and nonbinary nerds and geeks at Source Comics and Games. This is a recurring weekly event providing a space for women to play games, chat about comics, cosplay, or just enjoy the company of other geeks. Be sure to check out the Source calendar for additional events!

Tight and Nerdy Minnesota Premiere

What: Movies
When: Sunday, July 12, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway Theater

North Star Nerdlesque Festival proudly presents the Minnesota premiere of Tight and Nerdy, a documentary about the first burlesque troupe devoted to the music of “Weird Al” Yankovic. The movie will be followed by a Q&A session with the film’s directors as well as some live burlesque performances. Tickets are $20.21 in advance or $23 at the door.

Trivia Mafia at Fulton Taproom

What: Trivia, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, July 12, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Fulton Taproom

Every Sunday evening, enjoy a couple hours of trivia along with some good food and local beer.

Guitarras del Sud: MM Guitar duo

What: Music
When: Sunday, July 12, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Zion Lutheran Church

Guitarras del Sud features guitar music from Southern Europe, primarily Spain and the Balkans. Suggested donation $20.

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Virtual Events

Summer Games Done Quick 2026

What: Gaming, Community
When: Now through Saturday, July 11
Where: Hilton Minneapolis Downtown and virtual via Twitch

Support Doctors Without Borders while watching some of the best speedrunners around at Summer Games Done Quick (GDQ). This annual video-game marathon has raised over $50 million for charity to date. There will be a packed schedule of video-game speedruns, including retro classics, modern hits, and indie darlings. Limited spots remain for the in-person event. Admission for the entire week is $200 or $100 for the weekend only. All of the action will also be streamed live on their Twitch channel.

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, July 6, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Minecraft and Discord

St. Paul’s 825 Arts hosts a virtual gathering space “by kids for kids” in Minecraft with a club meetup every Monday where teens and preteens can play, design, participate in theme challenges, and just hang out. Check out the website for information on joining their server, a technical FAQ, moderation and safety information for parents, and other Minecraft events.

The (Not-So) Young Adult Book Club

What: Books
When: Monday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Adults can embrace their love of young-adult literature at this book club hosted on the first Monday of every month by Red Balloon Bookshop. Members choose the monthly book, receive discounts, and have opportunities to read advance reader copies (ARCs). Anyone interested in joining should head over to the event page for more information, including how to sign up.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, July 6, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Get your trivia on from the comfort of home with Geeks Who Drink’s online trivia night. Prove your mettle, and maybe learn a little something!

Virtual Makers Mornings

What: Community, Arts
When: Tuesday, July 7, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join fellow makers at this morning social hour hosted by the American Swedish Institute. This free event is open to all kinds of crafts and is intended as a place to share projects, make some progress, and socialize. Registration is required.

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, July 8, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Weekly gathering to play online board and video games for grades 6–12. Hosted by the Ramsey County Library. Registration required.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, July 8, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the Twin Cities Geeks Discord. Hop on voice or video and chat while you create art, then share your finished pieces on the #art-club channel! This event is open to all. Join the server by visiting twincitiesgeek.com/discord.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—National Treasure: A Blockbuster Co-starring the Declaration of Independence

What: Educational
When: Thursday, July 9, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Smithsonian Institution, home to famed museums and world-class research centers, is bringing educational programs and art courses online for all to enjoy. At this event, separate fact from fiction as Denver Brunsman, history professor and scholar of the American Revolution, uses clips from the movie to explain the historical significance of the many historical references. General-admission tickets are $30, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage for the many other upcoming events this week.

Halcyon Days Book Club: Seven Days in June

What: Books
When: Thursday, July 9, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

This monthly book club explores popular culture through books. The selection for this month is Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.

The Real Odyssey Before Nolan

What: Movies, Educational
When: Friday, July 10, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Before the upcoming release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, learn about the original epic story by Homer with Joel Christensen, one of the world’s leading Homer scholars. Free. Everyone registered in advance will have access to a recording of the event.

Fated Lovers, Burning Houses, and Unruly Hens: A Sapphic History of Romance

What: Educational
When: Saturday, July 11, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week dives into the history of sapphic romantic fiction, exploring its roots and how it re-imagines history to highlight queer spaces. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but pay-what-you-can donations or patronage to support the series are encouraged.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, July 11, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The popular Transmission dance night is hosting a weekly virtual music-video stream. DJ Jake Rudh will be bringing New Wave, Alternative, and more ’80s-centric greats directly to your home. So, dance, dance, dance to the radio (or, in this case, Twitch stream).

Virtual Dungeons and Dragons for Teens

What: Gaming
When: Sunday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom and Roll20

Online D&D for grades 6–12 hosted by the Ramsey County Library. All experience levels welcome. Registration required.

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So, which of these events will you be attending? What events would you like to see featured in the future? Let us know in the comments section below or contact us via email. And don’t forget to add your events to the Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!