Free Classes, Workshops & Events From Local Businesses

Free Classes and Events from local businesses may be offered any time the business is selling something that is technical or hands-on. The class will specifically teach you how to use a particular product. The most classic example of this is a cooking class that explains how to cook specific dishes which use a particular ingredient. The class may be offered by the manufacturer who produces the ingredient or a retailer who sells the ingredient, or both (a manufacturer’s representative teaching the presentation in a space within the retailer’s store).

These classes may be super focused on specific products, so some of them might be useless if you have no intention of using the products. However, they may still teach some general principles that can be helpful. For example, the cooking classes may teach specific dishes with specific ingredients, but they’ll also share some general principles about cooking, which can still be helpful. Also, the classes are free. So it’s something to do that may be fun and entertaining which costs nothing.

Free classes and events that are offered by local businesses are very similar to an infomercial, except that you’re there live. You’ll possibly be able the handle the product yourself during the class and the instructor will be available if you have any questions or need clarification.

Here are some examples of local free classes and events:

Apple Retail Store Free Workshops – Apple retail stores offer free workshops on how to use Apple products. Learn the basics of the Mac, iPod, iPhone or iPad.

Hobby Lobby Free Classes – Find your local Hobby Lobby store where instructors can teach you about craft hobbies.

Home Depot Weekly Workshops – Home Depot offers free workshops for do-it-yourself (DIY) projects at home. Most workshops are for adults, but they also have workshops for kids, ages 5-12, every first Saturday of the month. They supply all the materials and kids usually go home with lots of goodies and their new creation.

Lululemon Yoga Classes – Every week Lululemon yoga stores offer free yoga classes.

Michael’s Arts & Craft Classes – The Michael’s craft store offers free classes that range from cake decorating, crotchet, scrapbooks and more.

REI Outdoors Classes – Local REI stores offer classes year round. Classes may include bike repair, wilderness safety tips, camping skills, navigation and other outdoor-related skills.

Williams-Sonoma Cooking Technique Classes – Williams-Sonoma offers free cooking technique classes for students to learn the art and science of cooking.

Bass Pro Shops – Bass Pro Shops frequently offers craft workshops and other events for kids and families. When they have the events they are announced in weekly circulars and on their website. Bass Pro Events are common from Black Friday all through the end of December.

Lowes Home Stores previously offered “Build and Grow” workshops for kids which they discontinued December 2016. Your local Lowes could still offer workshops for adults. Check with your local store.

Do you know of any retailers who offer free classes and workshops? Please let us know.

Other Places To Find Free Classes & Events

The examples above include categories in technology, crafts, home projects, camping and cooking. Any store which sells something technical or hands-on could potentially have a free class or event which explains how to use their products. Another good example is a game store that sells board games and card games. They often have weekly or monthly events where people can come to learn specific board games or improve their strategy.

Local gyms will usually have a free trial membership that would include exercise classes.

Local nurseries and gardens would potentially have free classes on landscaping and gardening.

Art & Paint Supply Stores will have events where students can create their own works of art.

An auto parts store or even a local mechanic might teach classes on car care and maintenance.

Costco often has visiting vendors that could give cooking demonstrations which use a particular appliance or cooking ingredient.

Trade Shows often have classes and demonstrations of specific products. Many trade shows have free admission. Read more about Trade Show Freebies.

Check your local library for free classes and workshops. Local libraries may offer free workshops and classes on computer literacy, job search and resume writing, real estate, book discussions, story time for children, sewing, arts and crafts, and a number of other skills. Read the library page for more library freebies, including free admission to zoos, parks and museums.

Speaking of zoos, parks and museums, they may have specific days throughout the year where admission is free. Go to the websites for any particular zoo, park, or museum to see if they have a calendar or an events page.

Local school and colleges might have unaccredited classes that are open to the public. Check with their websites and administrative offices. Also, you could potentially get into some of their athletic events for free (less likely if it’s football or basketball, but more likely if it’s any other sport). You could even go watch little league games at local parks on Saturdays and weeknights for additional free entertainment. It’s nothing like a pro game, but it could still be fun. Pick a team and root for them.

Many local churches do not charge admission for any particular event. You can always get free admission to sermons, Sunday school or bible study clubs. Some churches offer much more, such as family history research assistance, self-reliance classes, job training and gardening. Some churches will pass the plate or ask for donations during their sermons, but if you’re just visiting they don’t necessarily expect you to, and you’re certainly not ever required to (if they require it then leave).

Other non-profits besides churches will also offer training for technical skills and job application. Some non-profits are established just to provide this training. One interesting non-profit model collects computer donations. They train volunteers in computer repair. The volunteers perform some of the work for the non-profit in exchange for the training and they often get to keep a computer of their own.

Your local neighborhood or HOA could have events throughout the year, especially if there is a park or meetinghouse in your neighborhood where events can be held. Some neighborhood events will be sponsored by a local Realtor.

There are multiple business education, training and coaching companies who offer free seminars. The seminars are free, and they may offer a lot of useful information. However, the information will be incomplete and the latter portion of the seminar will be a heavy sales pitch. One example of this is Rich Dad Education. The training programs they’re selling are not cheap; they could range between $10,000 to $60,000. This is not bad compared to a college education, but these programs are not accredited, so be cautious and very selective if you try them at all. It doesn’t hurt to attend multiple free seminars to pick up bits and pieces of information that are given away for free. They can also be great networking opportunities.

More places to find free events include Eventbrite, Meetup, and shopping mall calendars online. See also Free Entertainment, Free Things To Do.