This Week in Geek (9/14/2026–9/20/2026)

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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, September 14, to Sunday, September 20.

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

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

What: Arts, Comedy & Theater, Educational, Family
When: Now through Sunday, October 4
Where: 12364 Chestnut Boulevard (Shakopee)

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 55th season and will be open weekends through October 4! Come experience a wide variety of Renaissance-themed activities, including musical acts, comedy shows, artisan markets, food and drink, actors in costume, games, demos, jousting, and kid-themed events. The fest is open rain or shine, and tickets are $29.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors, and $19.95 for children at the gate, and there are other discounted ticket and pass options available on the website. Please note, some events will require an additional ticket and those making the drive to the festival will either need to purchase a prepaid parking pass at $18 to park on the Minnesota RenFest grounds or plan on using the park-and-ride lots with round-trip bus rides for $6.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, September 14, and Wednesday, September 16, 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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, September 15, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Take a specially curated tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection as inspired by books. Each month’s tour will focus on a different book for inspiration, with September exploring Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn and “Space Seed”

What: Movies
When: Tuesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Heights Theater (Columbia Heights)

This showing of the 1982 classic Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn will be preceded by a Star Trek preshow and a screening of the iconic TOS episode “Space Seed.” Tickets are $15.

Dungeons & Dragons Weekly One-Shot

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Forge (Chaska)

All levels of experience are welcome at this weekly one-shot D&D adventure. Tickets are $36.86 and include a premade character sheet, seven-dice set, a boba tea, and appetizers.

Books & Bars: My Friends

What: Books, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, September 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Broken Clock Brew Co-Op 

Books & Bars is an “open public book club show” hosted and moderated by former Minnesota Public Radio producer Jeff Kamin that provides attendees with “a unique atmosphere for a lively discussion of interesting authors, fun people, good food, and social lubrication.” The book being discussed this month is My Friends by Fredrik Backman, also author of A Man Called Ove. Next month’s book is All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby.

St. Anthony Park Porchfest

What: Music, Family
When: Wednesday, September 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Various porches in St. Anthony Park neighborhood

A grassroots community music festival where local musicians play from neighborhood porches. Stroll the neighborhood and enjoy the free music.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developers Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.

Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, September 16, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Club Underground at the Spring Street Tavern

Pundamonium is a pun slam—a competition of wordplay with 10 contestants, each given two minutes to make puns based on prompts they are given ahead of time. A few lucky audience members act as judges for the night, with their top four pun slingers going head to head in a final pun off. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Statewide Star Party 2026

What: Science & Technology, Educational, Family
When: Thursday, September 17, through Saturday, September 19
Where: Various locations around Minnesota

Learn about Minnesota’s official constellation, Ursa Minor aka the North Star, and explore the night skies using telescopes. Individual Star Parties are spread out around the state over the three-day event. In the Twin Cities, the Bell Museum hosts its event on Friday, September 18. The event is free and open to all ages.

Free Thursday Nights at the History Center

What: Educational, Family
When: Thursday, September 17, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center

Explore Minnesota’s history with free admission and parking to the Minnesota History Center on Thursday nights. Exhibits include Then Now Wow, Our Home: Native Minnesota, Weather Permitting, and more.

Walker Art Center Art Club

What: Arts
When: Thursday, September 17, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Get creative at the Walker Art Center’s weekly Art Club during the museum’s free Thursday nights. 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. This week’s theme is Polaroid photo albums. Bring photos or take some there and assemble them into one-of-a-kind albums using various creative supplies provided.

SkålCon

What: Convention
When: Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 20
Where: Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West

A tabletop-gaming convention featuring Pathfinder and Starfinder organized play and more. The vendor hall and board game library are free to anyone interested; badges are needed for game players and are $40. Proceeds benefit local charities.

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.

Zombie Prom

What: Nightlife, Cosplay
When: Friday, September 18, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: Ground Zero 

While you don’t have to dress up to join this party, the theme is zombies and costumes are encouraged. This will be a flow-friendly dance floor, so bring your flow props if you have them. Entry to this 21+; event is $15.

STEAM Saturdays: Computer Day

What: Science & Tech, Educational
When: Saturday, September 19, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Pavek Museum (St. Louis Park)

Learn about computing and computers with event partners 3M, Maple Grove Radio Club, and Edina High School Robotics, as well as hands-on projects and activities. Regular adult admission is $12; free for students under 18 and Pavek Museum Members. Be sure to also check out It Takes Two, an add-on activity for two people creating a working paper circuit. It Takes Two is $25 per pair and registration in advance is recommended due to limited supplies.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, September 19, 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.

Geocaching

What: Sports & Fitness, Science & Technology, Family
When: Saturday, September 19, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Afton State Park

Learn the basics of how GPS units work and then practice using them by finding hidden caches around the park. Some units will be available to borrow, or bring your own. State-park permit required to enter. A one-day permit is $7 or year-round permits for unlimited visits are $35.

Offstage: The Many Deaths of Laila Starr

What: Art, Comics, Theater & Comedy
When: Saturday, September 19, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Mind’s Eye Comics

Explore the connections between visual art and music, opera, and graphic novels in celebration of the opening of The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, an operatic adaptation of the graphic novel. You can even design your own cover, which can be entered in the cover contest for a chance to win tickets to the opera. Free, but registration is required due to limited capacity.

Avant Garden 2026

What: Arts, Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, September 19, at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Support the arts in style with this night of music, art, cocktails, and food in a beautiful setting. Nosh on gourmet food and sip craft cocktails while enjoying an art auction and rubbing elbows with other patrons of the arts. There will be live musical performances by DJ Skee and YASMEENAH. Tickets start at $150; see the event website for more details on ticket packages.

Horse Meat Disco with Daddy Issues

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, September 19, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Lyric at Skyway Theatre

Horse Meat Disco brings its signature high-energy dance mixes with its unique blend of disco, house, soul, funk, and underground sounds. Tickets start at $39.39 in advance and attendees must be 18+.

Glee Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drinks
When: Sunday, September 20, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Union Rooftop

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week, get your Gleek on with all your favorites from Glee. Costumes and singing along are encouraged. Tickets are $20.98 and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Minneapolis Central Craft Club

What: Arts, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 20, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Library—Minneapolis Central

Craft it up on a Sunday afternoon with community at this free club that focuses on knitting, crochet, papercrafts, embroidery, and hand-sewing. Bring your own materials to make progress on your current project or begin something new with the materials provided.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, September 20, 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!

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Virtual Events

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, September 14, 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.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, September 14, 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, September 15, 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, September 16, 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 Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developers Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking. Check out the full details of how to join on the event page.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, September 16, 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—The History of Flight: The Birth of Commercial Aviation

What: Educational, Science & Tech
When: Thursday, September 17, at 11:00 a.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, follow the history of aviation from WWI through WWII, the advent of commercial aviation, and the technological advances that made it all possible. General-admission tickets are $35, and there is a discount for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage for the many other upcoming events this week.

Convention from Your Couch: Wil Wheaton

What: Convention
When: Saturday, September 19, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Get a little taste of the convention experience right from home with the Convention from Your Couch series from Momentus. Each event features a fan-driven Q&A panel, autographs, and a limited amount of meet and greet spots. This installment features actor Wil Wheaton, whose roles include Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Gordie Lachance in Stand by Me, himself in The Big Bang Theory, and more. Tickets are $15–$75.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, September 19, 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 & Dragons for Teens

What: Gaming
When: Sunday, September 20, 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!