With temperatures finally dropping, fall is here. Which can only mean one thing: Halloween is almost here. Whether you’re in the mood for a frightful seasonal encounter or a peaceful fall activity, the Twin Cities are full of opportunities.
St. Paul
Minnesota Children’s Museum’s Halloween Party: On Oct. 24 and 25, visitors can celebrate the Halloween spirit with the Minnesota Children’s Museum’s annual Halloween Party. From 6 to 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy the family-friendly event, including trick-or-treating, a dance party with a live DJ, themed crafts and activities, and more. For more information, visit mcm.org/halloween-party/.
The Landmark Center celebrates Halloween: The family-friendly Great Pumpkin Halloween Festival will offer multiple activities for anyone to enjoy, including a 2 p.m. costume parade, face painting, crafts, candy and more on Oct. 26. The Landmark Center will also be hosting the themed “Gangster Ghost Tours,” offering a glimpse into the halls that once hosted gangsters, federal agents and more on Wednesday, Oct. 29. For more information, visit landmarkcenter.org.
BOO-nion Depot: Returning for another year, the Union Depot is transforming itself for this free, Halloween-themed day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, visitors will be able to enjoy face-painting, balloon animals, a dance zone with a DJ and available prizes and more. For event and parking information, visit uniondepot.org.
Union Depot Ghost Tours: For those looking to explore this season, walking tours of the Twin Cities haunted historical locations are being hosted throughout the month. For more information, visit, cyncitytours.com/walking-tours.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon: For those looking to get their sweat on before enjoying the season’s sweets, the Minneapolis Half Marathon 10- and 5-kilometer run will take place Oct. 25. Costumes are highly encouraged, as runners will take a scenic route along the Mississippi River on West River Road and across the Stone Arch Bridge. Those interested can find more information and register at minnesotarunningseries.com/minneapolis-halloween-half.
First Avenue’s Annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest: A Twin Cities classic, First Avenue will be hosting its annual Halloween Party and Costume contest. With more than $1,000 in cash prizes and music from numerous DJ’s, Oct. 31 is sure to be a Halloween to remember. Tickets and information available at first-avenue.com.
Ghost Tours: Part 2 at Theatre in the Round: With events varying in scare level available, the Theatre in the Round is returning Oct. 17-19 for frightful experiences and ghost stories on stage and hidden within the theater. This year’s event will feature real-life ghost hunting experience from David and Alysia Leonhardt of “Our Paranormal Escapades.” For more information, visit theatreintheround.org/ghost-tours/ .
Black Lagoon at Meteor: Is the Halloween season really complete without a themed bar experience? Created by Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, the pop-up experience Black Lagoon is returning to the Twin Cities. Through Nov. 1, visitors can enjoy the themed cocktails and the season’s spooky ambience at Minneapolis Bar Meteor, host of the pop-up. For more information, visit blacklagoonpopup.com.
Horror! at The Parkway: Sure to thrill casual fans and even the toughest horror aficionado, this six-film lineup by the Parkway Theater will feature cult classics like 1994’s “Interview with a Vampire” and the 1984 “A Nightmare on Elm Street” presented on 35mm film. The event will culminate in an evening showing of “Halloween” on Oct. 31. Ticket info is available at theparkwaytheater.com/movies.
Suburbs
Haunted Rivertown Terror Tour: Traveling throughout the historical town of Stillwater, the eerie trolly tour will take visitors through historic sites as a cast of actors act out a live murder mystery. Visitors will have to watch for clues in the haunted story to reveal the identity of the murderer. Tickets are available at stillwatertrolly.com.
Zephyr Theatre’s Haunted Halloween History Trolley Tour: On select dates during the month, Zephyr Theatre will offer a glimpse into the past of Stillwater’s haunted history, departing from River Siren Brewery 225 Main St. N. For more information and tickets, visit fareharbor.com.
Haunted History at the Warden’s House: Hidden in the outskirts of downtown Stillwater, visitors can hunt down the haunted history and ghosts of the Warden’s House Museum. Hosted by the Washington County Historical Society, “Haunted History” tours will be available Oct. 24-25, with tickets available at wchsmn.org under “events.”
Halloween Capital of the World: It’s always spooky season in Anoka, earning its title as the Halloween capital of the world. Events will be hosted throughout the month celebrating the Halloween spirit, culminating in the Grande Day Parade on Oct. 25. For more information, visit anokahalloween.com/events.
Valleyscare: Known for its abundance of laughter, Shakopee’s Valleyfair will transform for the month of October into the fright-filled Valleyscare. Guests can participate in multiple haunted mazes, scare zones and spine-tingling live events. Tickets and information is available for select nights through Nov. 1 at valleyfair.com/events/valleyscare.
Tricks and Treats at Valleyfair: For those not interested in the terrifying thrill-seeking of Valleyscare, the family-friendly Tricks and Treats will offer themed activities, including live events and games, with a costume contest for children. For more information and tickets, visit valleyfair.com/events/tricks-and-treats.
The Dead End Hayride: As the self-proclaimed most-terrifying haunted hayride in the state, the Dead End Hayride returns, running through Nov. 2 in Wyoming, Minn. For tickets and a glimpse at this year’s scares, visit thedeadendhayride.com.
The Great Pumpkin Trail: Presented by the hosts of the Dead End Hayride, this whimsical half-mile trail of intricately carved Jack-O-Lanterns will run until Nov. 2. Tickets can be purchased at pumpkintrail.com.
Minnesota Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Now a Twin Cities tradition, the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular will showcase stunningly carved pumpkins and gourds in a one-way walking route inspired by “What goes bump in the night.” The evening event is open until Nov. 2, with tickets and information available at mnzoo.com.
