Wikimania 2012, the international Wikimedia conference, kicks off next week. If you’re not registered, there are still free events that you can participate in and enjoy!

On Tuesday and Wednesday, we have our Hackathon, which includes a special session for new Wikipedia editors, so whether you’re a seasoned Wikipedia contributor, or a free knowledge enthusiast who has yet to fix an error or add a new fact on the world’s largest encyclopedia, then come down to George Washington University on July 10/11 and join the fun! Our partner for the Hackathon is OpenHatch, a non-profit dedicated to matching prospective free software contributors with communities, tools, and education.

If you are a librarian or just love libraries, you’ll be glad to know that we also love libraries, so join Wikipedia Loves Libraries on Wednesday, July 11, which features a special workshop for librarians, along with talks and panels.

On July 12 from 6:30 to 9:30, Consumer Reports and GLAM-Wiki US are hosting GLAM Night Out: Party & Media Panel at the Newseum, featuring a panel on “The Sponsored Point of View: Financial Conflicts of Interest in Health Care and Science.” The event is free, but guests must RSVP here.

If you’re interested in social media instead of GLAM, another event happening on July 12 is the official Zoomph Wikimania happy hour, happening at Tonic on 2036 G Street NW. The happy hour will include DJ, free drinks, prizes, and MetroStarSystems will be launching Zoomph, a new social media engagements and analytics tool, so make sure to RSVP here.

On Friday, July 13th, we’re lucky to have a lot of great events happening, and you can go to one, two, or all! Wikia is hosting a Wikia Celebrates Wikimania party at  Famous Luigi’s Pizza on 1132 19th Street NW from 6-9PM. They’re offering pizza, drinks, and also, for the first 100 attendees, a free Wikia t-shirt, so make sure to RSVP here. The Saylor Foundation and the Wikipedia Education Program are hosting a Wikipedia Education Program meetup at the Saylor Foundation offices, 1000 Wisconsin Ave NW from 5:30-7:30pm. If you’re interested, make sure to sign up here.

Wikimedia DC and Capital Fringe invite you to the Wikimania Happy Hour at the Capital Fringe Festival Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar. The bar opens at 5 PM and Wikimania Happy Hour specials last until 7 PM. There will be some awesome shows all night, and the tent doesn’t close until 2 am! Mingle with other Wikimania attendees, DC residents, and artists from all over the US under the tent, and enjoy free music starting at 10pm.

On Sunday, July 15, we have our Unconference, which features various presentations and workshops submitted on the day by attendees and participants. Everyone is welcomed to attend and participate.

Also on Sunday July 15 is the Wiki Expedition, a photography expedition/contest taking place around Washington, DC and the nearby areas. Details and the sign up form are available here.

If you love maps and cartography, then you’ll love the OpenStreetMap mapping party, held in two parts, Part I at Congressional Cemetery (from 10-noon), and Part II at the Wikimania Lounge at George Washington University (from 1-3), on Sunday July 15.

 You can participate in some or all events. They’re all free, and we hope to see you all throughout the week!

Nicholas Michael Bashour, President, Wikimedia DC