Don’t miss the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual free performance. This year they’re doing free showings of the Bard’s Julius Caesar starting tomorrow night through September 4. You can enter a ticket lottery or stand outside for the 200 free tickets being given away at the door. The shows will be at the company’s sleek and modern Sidney Harman Hall on 610 F Street, NW.

For the 21+ crowd, there’s D.C. Beer Week, with a slew of freebie opportunities. Tonight, be one of the first 50 people get to the Red Palace on 1210 H Street, NE, and get a free pint glass. Sam for the the Iron Horse Tap Room on 507 7th Street, NW. On Friday, there will be a free tasting of Breckenridge Brewery beers at D’Vines on 3103 14 Street, NW.

If free beer’s not your thing (of if you’ve already imbibed), head over to the Independent Film Series on Monday, August 23, at the Renaissance Hotel on 1143 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, near Dupont Circle. Also, check out some of the free events in Rock Creek Park’s Carter Barron Amphitheatre, including the 7th Annual DC Poetry in the Park.

For those of you who haven’t returned to your various corners of the world to spend time with family and old friends before the fall semester begins, Vox has put together some free events that will hopefully help these last few lonely days pass by quicker as you wait for your friends to filter into the district. Enjoy!

Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Starting this Thursday, August 19, Harman Hall will be offering free performances of Twelfth Night, running now through September 5. Interested parties now enter to win tickets through an online lottery system, saving you a hot and sweaty trip into downtown to stand in line. Dates and times, as well as access to the online lottery, can be found on the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s website.

Third-sy Thursdays?

This Thursday is the third Thursday of the month, and MidCity is giving Thursday nights a whole new (and far more culturally vibrant) meaning. Shops and galleries in the U and 14th Street Corridors will be open late, allowing visitors to peruse until about 8 or 9 p.m. All stores will be offering special deals for customers. A list of shops can be found here.

Community Art

The Corcoran Gallery continues its free summer series this Saturday with a community art project. Visitors will get free admission to the gallery, where they can contribute to the creation of a large-scale portrait inspired by Chuck Close. Pre-registration is required for this event.