'Tis the season to really start watching your budget. Between splurging on gifts, food, and decorations, the real holiday miracle is finding something to do that's free. From bizarre tree contests to pop-up markets and downtown comedy nights, here are our top three picks for no-cost events this week.
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The Weirdest Little Christmas Tree Contest
Forget the traditional ornaments and turn your tree into something truly outrageous for Space 55's The Weirdest Little Christmas Tree Contest. Interested participants should submit "trees" that are roughly a foot tall and decorated as wildly as imaginable (think lava lamps adorned with bows and artificial firs covered in doll heads and Transformers). Trees can be submitted to Space 55 through Thursday, December 4. Audiences for the theater's month-long musical, A Bloody Mary Christmas, will vote on the trees until December 20. Winners will receives prizes such as cash, free passes, and schwag bags. For details, visit the event on Facebook.
Do some shopping and some noshing as Bragg's Factory Diner host's a pop-up holiday market. Somethin' to Bragg About will feature a vintage polaroid station, vegan tamales, a card-making table, and merchandise from Grand Avenue stores including Hazel & Violet and A Bloom Salon. The free event runs from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. Visit the event on Facebook for more information.
First Friday Comedy at Lawn Gnome Publishing
Get your art and your laughs, too, with S & M Comedy's latest installation of First Friday Comedy at Lawn Gnome Publishing. This free, BYOB event will showcase local performers Chelsea Lynne, Bob Timmons, Aaron Kyle Miles, Josh Graves, and Michael Turner. The show runs from 10 to 11 p.m. on Friday, December 5, giving guests plenty of time to check out the galleries on Roosevelt Row before taking in the jokes. For details, visit the event on Facebook.
