Fall is in the air, so Halloween will be here shortly. Whether you’re looking for something truly terrifying to celebrate the scariest season of the year or something more relaxed, these Twin Cities Halloween events have you covered.
St. Paul
Minnesota Children’s Museum’s Halloween Party >> The Minnesota Children’s Museum is hosting two nights of kid-friendly fun with a dance party, trick-or-treating, games and crafts on Friday and Saturday. Tickets include admission into the museum and a trick-or-treat bag. Tickets are available at mcm.org/halloween-party.
Howl-o-ween >> Think Halloween, but with a science twist. Hunt for wolf figurines in the galleries and make crafts with the Science Museum of Minnesota. All activities are included with museum admission. Howl-o-ween runs from Friday to Sunday at 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. Learn more at smm.org.
BOOnion Depot >> Fun for the whole family, BOOnion Depot is complete with crafts, dancing, food vendors and character meet-and-greets. This free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Waiting Room at 214 E. Fourth St. Find more information at uniondepot.org.
Union Depot Ghost Tours >> Stroll through the Union Depot and learn the haunted history of one of St. Paul’s most iconic buildings. The tours run through Wednesday at 214 E. Fourth St. Tickets are available at cyncitytours.com.
Frankenstein & Other Tales >> Twin Cities Ballet will perform four new and old works in this “ghoulish monster mash of engaging and accessible dance.” The dance shows run Nov. 2 and Nov. 3 at the Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St. Tickets are available on Twin Cities Ballet’s website at twincitiesballet.org.
Minneapolis
Frankenstein & Other Tales >> Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon >> Want an active option for the spooky season? Join the MN Run Series for a 5 kilometer-, 10 kilometer- or half-marathon race on Saturday at Father Hennepin Bluff Park at 420 Main St. S.E. Costumes encouraged. More information is available at minneapolishalloweenhalf.com.
First Avenue’s Annual Halloween Party & Costume Contest >> Put your best Halloween costume on and get ready to dance the night away at one of the Twin Cities’ most iconic venues. Featuring numerous DJ’s and more than $1,000 in cash prizes. The event is on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31, and tickets are available at first-avenue.com.
Suburbs
Haunted History Trolley Tour >> Learn the haunted history of Stillwater at Zephyr Theatre and Wahoo! Adventures’ Seventh annual trolley tour. The event will also feature movies, bonfires and a scavenger hunt. The tours run until Saturday at 225 Main St. N., Stillwater. Buy tickets at mywahooadventures.com/haunted-history-trolley.
Halloween Capital of the World >> Anoka lives up to its billing with a month’s worth of Halloween celebrations. They culminate at 1 p.m. on Saturday with the Grande Day Parade on Main Street. Detailed information available at anokahalloween.com.
Valleyscare >> A horror-filled spin on Valleyfair, guests can take part in haunted mazes, scare zones and other live entertainment options. Valleyscare is a separately-ticketed event and runs until Saturday at 1 Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee. More information on events and tickets can be found at valleyfair.com.
Tricks and Treats at Valleyfair >> Those who want a more family-friendly Valleyfair Halloween experience can attend Tricks and Treats, which features dance parties, costume contests, crafts and themed games. Tricks and Treats is on Saturdays and Sundays until this Sunday at 1 Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee. Find tickets and more information at valleyfair.com.
Tricks and Treats with the Mighty Organ >> Resident organist Bill Chouinard will play classical and pop favorites on Minnesota’s largest pipe organ at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Children are encouraged to wear costumes, and treats will be served after the performance. The event starts at 6 p.m. on Monday at 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi. More information: saintandrews.org.
Halloween Trick or Treat >> The Waters of White Bear Lake retirement community is hosting an intergenerational Halloween celebration on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The event is at 3820 Hoffman Road, White Bear Lake, and more information can be found at thewaters.com.
The Dead End Hayride >> The Wyoming haunted hayride, self-claimed to be the most terrifying in Minnesota, is back for another year. The hayride runs until Nov. 2 at 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N., Wyoming. Find tickets on their website at thedeadendhayride.com.
The Great Pumpkin Trail >> The hosts of the Dead End Hayride present the Great Pumpkin Trail, a half-mile trail illuminated by over 10,000 jack-o’-lanterns. The event runs now until Nov. 2 at 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N., Wyoming. Tickets can be purchased online at pumpkintrail.com.
Minnesota Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular >> Dubbed “part pumpkin patch and part art installation,” guests walk the trails and take in the sights of 5,000 intricately-carved pumpkins to celebrate the fall season. The spectacular runs until Nov. 2 at 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley. Tickets are available at the Minnesota Zoo’s website: mnzoo.org.