November 10, 2024

It’s still fall, y’all. We scared up some festivities for autumn and Halloween

halloween #halloween

Despite COVID-19 and several long-time Haunted House closings, there is still a lot of Halloween and fall fun to be had, even if some of it is virtual. Consult this list to visit a pumpkin patch, hunt a ghost, and everything in between.

Fall Colors Cruise. See the St. Croix River bluffs in vivid yellows, reds and oranges from Hudson Cruise Line boat. Noon-2 p.m. Saturdays and 3:15-5:15 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 24; $23 for adults, $18 for children 10 and under; 651-436-8883; stcroixrivercruises.com.

Pick Your Own Pumpkin. Spend a day at the farm picking a pumpkin or two, enjoying hayrides, drinking apple cider, eating cookies and shopping at the country store. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31; free admission, $3.75 pick your own pumpkin, $4.75 pre-picked. Free hayrides, apple cider, and cookies on weekends Sept. 26 through Saturday Oct. 24; Glenna Farms, 1333 120th St., Amery, Wis.; 715-268-4702; glennafarms.com.

Govin’s Corn Maze. This year’s corn maze at Govin’s farm is accompanied by a pumpkin cannon, pumpkin patch and a flashlight maze after dusk. 5-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; $4.25 for ages 2-4 and $11 for ages 5 and up; Govin’s Farm, N6134 670th St., Menomonie, Wis.; 715-231-2377; govinsfarm.com.

Fall Colors Hike. Get out and see all the fall colors on this six-mile round-trip hike up to Willow Falls. Along the way you can learn why leaves change color from Naturalist Ashley. 1 p.m. Oct. 17; Free but vehicle admissions to park required; Willow River State Park Nature Center, 1034 Co Hwy A, Hudson, Wis. 54016; willowkinnifriends.org; 715-386-9340

Sever’s Fall Festival. Sever’s has everything from pig races to an exotic petting zoo. While there are no corn pits this year, there are still jumping pillows and live music. Tickets this year will be sold exclusively online due to COVID restrictions; 1-8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 1; $17 ages 4 and up; 3121 W. 150th St., Shakopee; 952-270-6293; seversfallfestival.com.

Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze. Wander through Minnesota’s largest corn maze which features a University of Minnesota-themed scavenger hunt this year. Open daily through Nov. 1; 12 p.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends; free admission to courtyard/market, sunflower field and pumpkin patch, maze is $6 per person on weekdays, $8 per person on weekends, kids 3 and younger are free; 8001 109th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park; 952-992-9326; twincitiesmaze.com.

Fresh Acres Corn Maze. Visit Fresh Acre’s inaugural corn mazes, with one for children younger than 8 and another for everyone else. In addition to the mazes there are also activities and food concessions. All activities included in the ticket price. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends through Oct. 31; $10, free for children younger than 3 and folks over 80; Fresh Acres, 7385 Jason Ave. N.E., Monticello; 763-290-0156; freshacresmn.com.

Apple Festival. (Tentative.) Celebrate the harvest at Carpenter Nature Center with a bake sale, cider-making demonstrations, apple brats, pumpkin decorating, and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 10-11; free; Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings; 651-437-4359; carpenternaturecenter.org.

Stillwater Harvest Fest Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. While the harvest fest in years past has boasted a chili cook-off, beer garden and more, this year the harvest fest will be offering a giant pumpkin weigh-off virtually. Starting 10 a.m. Oct. 10; harvestfeststillwater.com.

Valley Vine & Harvest Throwdown. This year’s throwdown will be from home, but don’t worry, you won’t have to cook dinner. Pick up a chef-crafted dinner from your choice of several local restaurants, rate the dish, then enjoy the virtual program, complete with an online auction. 4-5:30 p.m. pick up your dinner, 6-6:30 p.m. virtual program, Oct. 11; $100 per ticket; various pick up locations for food; canvashealth.org/events.

Apple Cidering. Not only can try your hand at making old-fashioned apple cider and taste it, but also learn the history of cidering at Richardson Nature Center. 10-11 a.m. Oct. 3; $10 per family (maximum of five people); Richardson Nature Center 8737 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington; threeriversparks.org; 763-694-7676

Fall Festival at Wargo Nature Center. Celebrate fall with Wargo Nature Center. Bring the kids to play pioneer games, go on a self-guided nature activity or check out the apple cider press. 2-4 p.m. Oct. 17; Free Admission; Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes, 55038; anokacounty.us; 763-324-3350

Fall on the Farm. Period demonstrations, story readings, and pumpkin painting will all be available during the 45-minute tour of the farm. Once you’ve had your fill of fun, food trucks will be available in the parking lot. 11-4 p.m. Oct. 2; $20 per family unit (up to 6 people); Historical Eidem Farm 4345 101st Ave. N, Brooklyn 55443; brooklynpark.org; 763-493-4604

Oktoberfest Cruise. Adults only for this Germain cruise. Live music, German food, and beers from around the world are all available while you cruise St. Croix. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 17; $53 per person; Boarding at 98 Walnut Street, Hudson, Wisconsin 54016; stcroixrivercruises.com; 651-436-8883

Autumn Woods Classic. TC Running’s annual run is virtual this year. Choose any Three Rivers park and run or walk with friends and family at whatever distance you prefer. Once you’re done, snap a photo with a park entrance sign in the background and post to social media with the hashtag #myautumnwoodsclassic. T-shirts and s’mores kits will be available for pick up to those who register and $5 from each registration supports Three Rivers Explorer Camps. Though Oct. 18; $25 per registration; various park and pickup locations; threeriversparks.org; 763-559-9000.

Afton Apple Orchard’s Apple Festival. Not only is apple, pumpkin, and raspberry picking available but there is also a corn maze and unique playgrounds at this orchard. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 3-4 and 10-11, Afton Orchard is open seven days a week until Oct. 31; Admission to the orchard is $5 for ages 5 and older, $4 for children 4 and younger, additional fees for some activities; Afton Apple Orchard, 14421 S. 90th St., Hastings; 651-436-8385; aftonapple.com.

Anoka Halloween Month. See true haunted hospitality at the Halloween Capital of the World. An outdoor movie night, virtual Halloween gala and a Halloween-inspired house decorating contest make up just a part of this October in Anoka. Times, dates, prices and location vary; anokahalloween.com.

Stillwater Ghost Walks. Don’t expect jump scares and goblins on this haunted history tour, just captivating and strange tales. Experience the river through real ghost stories, paranormal experiences and Native American legends. 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 30; $20 per person; 100 Main Street, Stillwater; discoverstillwater.com; 833-446-7813

Franc ‘n’ Stein Octoberfest. Sample fall festivities and local beer at Franconia Sculpture Park. Visitors can enjoy live music, Halloween button-making or watch Tim Burton’s “Frankenweenie” at an outdoor screening. 3-10 p.m. Oct. 17; free; parking $5; Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 St. Croix Trail, Franconia; franconia.org; 651-257-6668

Twisted Tales of Horror Haunted Trail. Shake and quiver at Govin’s Farm. This haunted trail offers a walk through a desolate cornfield accompanied by scary stories. Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m.-10 p.m. in October; $10 plus tax for all ages; Govin’s Farm, N6134 670th St., Menomonie, Wis.; 715-231-2377; govinsfarm.com.

Hudson Rotary Halloween Day Parade. Hudson’s longest continuing community event, the Halloween Day parade, returns with games and prizes. Compete in your best costume or just enjoy the spectacle. Oct. 31; free but each child is encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate; time and location to be announced; hudsonrotaryclub.org.

Trick-or-Treat Geocaching. Learn how to geocache and pick up some sweet treats along the way. Don’t forget your costume. Reservations required two days prior to the event. 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30- 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31; Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, 10360 W. River Rd., Brooklyn Park; $5; threeriversparks.org.

Wabasha Street Caves Ghosts and Caves Tour. Sadly, this will be Wabasha Street Caves last year open. Before it’s gone, hop on a bus tour or hunt some ghosts. Tours require a reservation. 6 p.m. every Saturday in October up to Oct. 24, every Sunday in October starting Oct. 11 and Oct. 30; $30 for ghost hunt and bus tour; Wabasha Street Caves, 215 S. Wabasha St., St. Paul; wabashastreetcaves.com.

Zombie Axe Throwing.  Big Thrill Factory’s axe throwing hall takes on an undead twist. Hone your axe-throwing skills to take on the zombies, and when you’re too exhausted from zombie-slaying, grab a bite to eat. Daily through Oct. 31; $4 per play; Big Thrill Factory, 7053 10th St. N., Oakdale; bigthrillfactory.com; 952-698-7700

Deadly Drive-In Haunted House. Experience all the screams and jump scares of a haunted house through the barrier of your car window, with nowhere to run. Deadly Drive-in is recommended for ages 14 and up. 6:30-10 p.m., half hour long experience; Oct. 15-31 Wednesdays-Sundays; $60-$75 per car; Rosedale Center, 1595 MN-36, Roseville; flipphoneevents.com/deadlydrivein.

Spirits & Shady Ladies Tours. This two-hour, adults-only walking tour of St. Paul will feature brothels and boogeymen!  And what would an adults-only outing be without a complimentary beverage? 2 p.m. Oct. 3; reservations required; $25; The Wabasha Street Caves, 211 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul; wabashastreetcaves.com; 651-292-1220

Halloween Pet Parade. Let the pets get in on the devilish fun this Halloween. The Lumberjack’s pet parade is the perfect opportunity to dress up your pooch and even get some treats or win a prize in the costume contest. Noon-2 p.m. Nov. 1; free; The Lumberjack, 123 North Second St., Suite 102, Stillwater; thelumberjackmn.com; 651-705-6005

Trunk or Treat at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Dress in your best, least scary, costume and take the kids from trunk to trunk collecting candy. Awards will be given for best decorated trunks including categories such as Best Movie, TV, or Book Theme or Most Original Theme. 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 25; free; 7600 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights; goodshepherdigh.com; 651-451-6225.

Howl-O-Ween Celebration. The Great Wolf Lodge is returning with their month-long Halloween celebration of family-friendly activities. Kids can get candy and meet Great Wolf Lodge characters on the Trick-Or-Treat Trail or shake it at the Monster Bash Dance party. Oct. 1-31; Howl-O-Ween activities included in admission to Great Wolf Lodge; 1700 American Boulevard East, Bloomington; 844-561-9653; greatwolf.com.

Dead End Hayride. Are you brave enough to face all the horrifying scenes that await you on the wagon hayride? If you survive the hayride you will be dropped off and have to find your way through the creepy woods on foot. Think you can handle it? Various prices, dates and times; Through Nov. 1; 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N., Wyoming; thedeadendhayride.com.

Ha! Ha! Homicide! The Heights Theater is offering five different “killer comedies” each Thursday as part of this Halloween-themed film series. Films will include “The Thin Man,” “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “Clue.” 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 8 through Nov. 1; $12; 3951 Central Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights; heightstheater.com.

Nickelodeon Halloween Havoc. The Nickelodeon Universe has been taken over by Halloween mayhem. In addition to a light show, dance party and pumpkin-carving contest, there will be park-wide pumpkin displays. Times and prices vary; through Oct. 31; Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America, 5000 Center Court, Bloomington; 952-883-8800; nickelodeonuniverse.com.

Haunted Basement: We Found You. The Catacomb Collective is offering the immersive horror experience of the Haunted Basement at home in two parts. Part one is The Box, an arts and crafts box of surprises mixed with ritual and conjuring. Part two is The House, a virtual experience with The Catacomb Collective’s Creeps. Boxes and virtual experiences went live in early October; $25 for The Box and The House experience, $8 for only The House experience; 612-444-2191; hauntedbasement.org.

Haunting Experience on Hwy 61. Send chills down your spine with this hayride and the haunted house. For less of a fright and more fun, live music will be available every Friday and Saturday in October. Want to bring the kids? The Haunting Experience also offers a fall fun fest for kids during the day (for more info visit their website). 7-10 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 31; various prices; 10900 E. Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove; 651-459-3001; hauntingexperience.com.

Scream Town. These six haunted attractions are full of everything ghastly and ghoulish. Do your best to take in the sprawling spooky attractions because with COVID this year, tickets will be timed. Fridays, Saturdays and select Thursdays and Sundays from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1. 6:30-11 p.m.; VIP & Drive Thru Combo Pass $69 online and $74 at door, VIP Pass $59 online and $64 at door, Regular Admission $30 online and $36 at the door; 7410 U.S. 212 E., Chaska; 888-317-7308; screamtown.com.

Haunted Forest Festival. A trick-or-treat maze, haunted forest trail and award-winning puppeteers are sure to make your evening spooktacular. Grab a free pumpkin at the end of the maze or a hot dog at concessions. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24; $10 per carload; Steve Michaud Park, 17100 Ipava Ave., Lakeville; ci.lakeville.mn.us

Hilltop Fall Pumpkin Party. With a costume contest, food truck, games and more, this is sure to be an afternoon full of color and fun. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17; free; YMCA Camp St. Croix Day Camp, 532 County Road F, Hudson, Wis.; 715-386-8411; hudsonwi.org.

Candlelit Tours at LeDuc. Learn about Victorian séances and spiritualism as you take a dim tour through the 1866 LeDuc mansion. 7-9 p.m., tours every half-hour; Oct. 24; $10, $8 for Dakota County Historical Society members and students; 1629 Vermillion St, Hastings; 651-438-8480; dakotahistory.org.

Spooky Geocaching. Spooky surprises await you on this geocaching adventure, along with a small treat bag at the end. Reservations required. 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1-2:30 p.m. Oct. 31, Cleary Lake Regional Park, 18106 Texas Ave, Prior Lake; $5; threeriversparks.org.

Pumpkin Pursuit in the Park. This year Fridley Parks is offering an interactive team scavenger hunt through the entire parks system. Enjoy missions ranging from answering trivia questions to completing tasks all through the Goose Chase app. Oct. 16-17; $25 per team of up to eight people; 763-572-3588; springbrooknaturecenter.org.

Gangster Ghost Tales. Hear the stories of real St. Paul gangsters through the songs of their ghosts. Sit back and enjoy the show or grab a drink at the Spook-easy bar. Reservations required. Parties limited to 1-4. Tickets on sale Oct 1. Event Oct. 30; $10 per person advance purchase required; Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651-292-3063; landmarkcenter.org.

Crocus Hill Ghost Story. St. Paul music chamber ensemble Zeitgeist and several collaborators take you through the macabre tale of a possessed house complete with evocative live music. $15/$10 for students and seniors, $5 for Anderson Center members; 7 p.m., Oct. 29; Anderson Center, 163 Tower View Drive, Red Wing; 651-755-1600; zeitgeistnewmusic.org.

Ghostly Gathering. Calling all ghosts, ghouls and goblins for a family-friendly social distanced trick-or-treat event. Show off your fab-BOO-lous costume at the family costume contest or enjoy a scavenger hunt. Ages 2-12; Session 1 4:30- 5:30 p.m., Session 2 5:40-6:40 p.m. Oct. 23; $8 per child in advance, two adults per one registered child; register by Oct. 16; Rich Valley Park, 1841 105th Street East, Inver Grove Heights; 651-450-2585; invergroveheights.org.

Virtual Ghostly Gala. See if your costume has what it takes to win the costume contest, dance, or check out one of many virtual “rooms” hosted by Reach for Resources, a nonprofit that supports individuals with disabilities and mental illnesses. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30; $5; WebEx; 952-200-3030; reachforresources.org.

Haunted Woods Trail. Wear your costume and bring the kids (preschool through middle-school age recommended) as you trick or treat your way through Central Park. 6-8 p.m. Oct. 24; free; Rosemount Central Park, 2893 145th St. W.; 612-840-9016; rosemountevents.com.

Skate-O-Ween. Grab your family, friends and ice skates for open skating with a Halloween twist, including costumes, prizes and more. 9:45-11 a.m. Oct. 31; Augsburg University Ice Arena, 2323 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis; fscmpls.org.

Trunks ‘n Treats at St. Stephen. Festive, candy-filled trunks. 1-4 p.m. Oct. 31; free, but canned food donations encouraged; St. Stephen Lutheran Church parking lot, 1965 E. County Road E, White Bear Lake; 651-777-1107; ststephenwbl.org.

Trick or Treating in Union Alley. The Lumberjack axe throwing bar will be hosting a socially distanced trick-or-treat event for kids. Lumberjacks and jills will be spread throughout the alley with treats for kids. Noon-2 p.m. Oct. 31; free; 123 N, Second St., Suite 102, Stillwater; 651-351-1717; events.discoverstillwater.com.

Great Pumpkin Halloween Celebration. Deck out the whole family in costumes and take in the family-friendly celebration. To accommodate for social distancing entries will be timed and reserved. 1-3 p.m. Oct. 25; free; Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651-292-1239; landmarkcenter.org.

Tricks and Treats. Bring your costumed trick-or-treater to an organ concert where children can join a costume parade. 6-7 p.m. Oct. 30; free; St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi; 651-762-9141; saintandrews.org.

Trunk N Treat at Mosaic. While this year’s Trunk N Treat won’t have inflatables like last year, kids can still enjoy some candy and trick-or-treating fun. Time to be announced, Oct. 31; free; Mosaic Christian Community, 540 E. Wheelock Parkway, St. Paul; mosaicstpaul.org.

Did we miss something? Email kberdan@pioneerpress.com, and we’ll add to our festivals and Halloween events lists at TwinCities.com.

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