Sometimes when I look at our “monster list” of the Halloween events happening in the Twin Cities, I get a little scared, frankly. We love our Halloween in Minnesota and there is definitely something for the whole family. But how to choose between all those thrills and chills? As we update our kid-friendly Halloween lists, we have come up with our top 10 Halloween events. These clear winners are either on my big bucket list or every year most-dos. We would love to hear from you. What is your favorite Halloween event?
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Twin Cities Top 10 Halloween Events
Even narrowing down to the Top 10 Halloween Events was difficult, so we have created the Top 10 categories and some offer a few options. As always, we strive to alert you to FREE or low cost events and attempt to spread them across the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area:
1. Top Trick-or-Treat Trails in the Twin Cities
We love the hometown shopping districts that lure little ghouls and witches in with trick-or-treating. Here are three of the best; for more, jump over to our list of Trick-or-Treating at Twin Cities Shopping Malls & Shopping Districts.
Stillwater: Trick-or-Treating on Main StreetÂ
Troll for treats along Stillwater’s business district. October 27, 2024, 11am-2pm. FREE.
St Paul: Trick-or-Treat at Highland Village
Starting point is the Langford and Karls Chiropractic parking lot. Businesses will have stations set up along a designated route through the Highland Village that will be staffed by employees/volunteers handing out candy and other items. There will be a Halloween scavenger hunt as well! October 26, 2024, 10am-2pm. FREE.
2. Top Place in the Twin Cities to Smash Pumpkins - Countryside Park, Edina
We offer several pumpkin smashing opportunities on our giant free list, but this one stands out because the fire department will be dropping some from 4 feet up!:
November 2, 2024: Pumpkin Smash & Bash
Countryside Park, 6240 Tracy Ave. South, Edina, MN 55436
Bring unpainted pumpkins for games and smashing before composting. The fire department will be dropping some pumpkins from a tall ladder. 4-6pm.Â
Find your perfect pumpkin:Â Twin Cities pumpkin patches!
3. Top Twin Cities Halloween Parties for the Family
We’ve included one each from the four corners of the Twin Cities Metro Area. And these are FREE. Get a little more use out of those Halloween costumes before the big night!
SAINT PAUL:Â HALLOWEEN PARTY
Family-friendly Halloween party for kids ages 1-9. See some live hocus pocus at a magic show, play age appropriate games, participate in activities and get treats. October 26, 2024, 11am-12:30pm.
For dozens more places to party in the park, jump over to our Free Halloween Fun in Twin Cities Parks mega-list.
NORTHWEST METRO:Â PLYMOUTH HALLOWEEN AT THE LAKEÂ
Parkers Lake Playfield, 15205 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447
Kids can get close up looks at first-responder vehicles, get treats and participate in family fun. Costumes encouraged. Friday, October 25, 2024. 5-8pm. FREE.
NORTHEAST METRO: VADNAIS HEIGHTS HALLOWEEN PARTY
Community Park, 641 E County Rd F, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Costume parade along the Scarecrow Trail, followed by games and treats on the softball field. Dress for outdoors. Food truck on site. October 25, 2024; 5pm-7pm.
SOUTHEAST METRO: MONSTER MASH PARADE
Start: 7362 East Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, MN
Cottage Grove’s community Halloween offering features floats with spooky themes and, of course, treats. You can find the parade route here. October 26, 2024, 10am.
SOUTHWEST METRO: HALLOWEEN IN HOPKINS
Main Street between 7th & 13th Avenue, Hopkins, MN 55343
Trick or Treat at businesses, take a haunted jail tour at the police department, games at the artery, spooky story walk at Cream & Amber, fun at Stages Theatre, costume contest at kiddywampus, cookie decorating at American Legion and dog costume contest at Elks Lodge Patio. October 26, 2024, 11am-2pm.
4. Top Teen Options
Mischief Halloween Costume Contest
Mischief Toy Store, 818 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Stop by Mischief for a photo opportunity at their annual costume contest. They’ll add your photo to their costume wall. There are prizes for the best costumes. October 26, 2024;12pm-8pm.Â
Bare Bones Halloween Extravaganza
Whatever Bare Bones Halloween Extravaganza offers should amaze. These shows are nighttime, outdoor spectaculars with puppetry, fire dancers, live music and dance. Located at Powderhorn Park. October 31-Nov 3, 2024, 7-8pm. Tickets/$20.liveÂ
5. Top Twin Cities Spooky Storytimes
HALLOWEEN STORYTIME AND COSTUME PARADE
Burnhaven Library, 1101 County Rd 42 W, Burnsville, MN 55306
Halloween-themed, but not scary, story time, with songs, stories, crafts and a short movie, followed by a costume parade.. Ages: 2–6 (siblings welcome). October 30, 2024.
6. Top Twin Cities Pumpkin Patch - Waldoch Farm Pumpkin Patch and Joyer Adventure Farm
It’s a full-on fall festival at WALDOCH FARM PUMPKIN PATCH! One inclusive price gets your kids access to the corn boxes, corn maze, train rides, pedal trikes, obstacle courses, playhouses, the works.
Admission options: A scenic hayride to the pumpkin patch is always free whether you choose to stay and play or not; pumpkins are sold by size. Admission to the Adventure Farm is $14.99/weekdays and $17.99/weekends ages 3+. You can also tour Joyer Barnyard without paying an admission fee.
Fall Fun open through Halloween; 10am-6pm *last entry to the corn maze is at 5pm.
7. Best Halloween Movie screening in the Twin Cities - Phalen Park, St. Paul
October 30, 2024: Phalen Park Halloween Spooktacular Bash
Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 E Wheelock Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55106
Games, a spooky arts and craft project, treats and a movie. 5:30-9pm.
8. Best Twin Cities Hometown Halloween - Anoka, Minnesota
Our very own Anoka Minnesota is the self-proclaimed “Halloween Capital of the World”! Curious as to why? Come visit during one of the dozens of events scheduled for 2022’s hometown celebration: city scavenger hunt, house-decorating contest, pumpkin carving for kids and more spooky spectacles. If you have to pick just one, make it Anoka’s Grand Day Parade (Main Street & Fifth Ave). Oct 26, 2024, 1-3:30pm.
9. Twin Cities Halloween with Big Rigs
What a delightful (never frightful) combination! Big trucks and treats make for a memorable Halloween weekend at this outing:
Columbia Heights Truck or Treat
Huset Park East, 3965 Jefferson St NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
Explore a bunch of vehicle treat stations, including police cars, fire trucks, tow, dump, garbage and mail trucks, and a school bus. Kids middle-school aged and younger will receive a free treat bag as they leave. Come in costume if you like. October 26, 2024, 1-4pm. FREE.
More Like This:Â Twin Cities Trunk-or-Treat Events & Trick-or-Treat Trails
10. Artsy Halloween
Free Ink Day at Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Highpoint Center for Printmaking, 912 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Highpoint’s fall Free Ink Day coincides with MEA weekend, and will explore the season’s textures using pumpkins and more. October 19, 2024, 12-4pm. FREE. Drop In.
Got teens who want a little more thrill in their Halloween? Refer them to our brand new list of things for Tweens & Teens on Halloween in the Twin Cities.