Fall is in the air and now is the perfect time to celebrate the season! From apple picking to zombies, there’s something for everyone. Check out these events around the area, and make the most of this ever changing season!
DNR’s Fall Color Finder
Explore Fall Colors in Minnesota State Parks. View a map of current fall colors in Minnesota with color coded ranges: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html
Apple Orchards
Apple picking season is here, and here’s a guide to find the perfect apple orchard for you: https://www.familyfuntwincities.com/family-fun-twin-cities-guide-apple-orchards/
Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze
Now – October 31 | Weekdays 12pm – 6pm, Weekends 10am – 6pm, MEA 10am – 6pm
8001 109th Avenue North | Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Cost: $6/person on weekdays, $10/person on weekends, kids under 3 are free
Information: https://twincitiesmaze.com/
Explore Minnesota’s largest corn maze, designed to honor the University of St. Thomas! This year’s 20-acre maze features a scavenger hunt for kids and families to find St. Thomas Tommies people, places, & things on signs throughout the maze. Take a tour of the sunflower field – it’s 6 acres! Wind your way through the straw bale maze, hop in the corn pit, or relax on a hay ride. There are inflatables and bounce areas, as well as food trucks. Stop in the marketplace to purchase pumpkins, apples, plants, and more. Leashed pets are welcome.
Original – Ghosts of Anoka Walking Tour 2021
Now – October 31 | 7pm – 8:30pm
Anoka County Historical Society | 2135 N 3rd Ave | Anoka, MN 55303
Cost: $15.45, registration is required
Registration: https://anokacountyhistory.org/ghost-tours
Stories abound in Anoka of odd happenings and eerie encounters. Costumed tour guides will take you on a walk through historic neighborhoods of Anoka, sharing stories of the past along the way. Sixty percent history, 40 percent folklore; these stories are just part of the fun you will experience on your Ghosts of Anoka tour! Running time is 1 – 1.5hrs; 1 mile walk around town. Digital and Zoom tours are also available.
Bachman’s Autumn Gathering — Ideas & Inspiration Self-Guided Tour
Now – October 10
Bachman’s on Lyndale | 6010 Lyndale Ave S | Minneapolis, MN 55419
Cost: $5, registration is required
Registration: https://www.bachmans.com/event/T000020211010
Your self-guided tour will include a visit to welcoming rooms and styled vignettes adorned in warm spice hues that will inspire you to gather together and celebrate the comforts of fall. With your ticket purchase, you’ll receive a coupon for 20% off your next regular-priced Bachman’s purchase.
Sever’s Fall Festival
Now – October 31
3121 150th Street West | Shakopee, MN 55379
Cost: $14 – 17 per person
Registration: https://seversfestivals.com/events/
Come for the massive corn maze, stay for the jumping pillows, giant slide, corn pit, tire mountain, food & drinks, live shows, and more!
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
October 1 – November 7
Minnesota Zoo | 13000 Zoo Boulevard | Apple Valley, MN 55124
Cost: $16 – $24, members save $2 on general admission tickets, tickets required for those under the age of 2
Registration: https://mnzoo.org/jols2021-2/
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is back for a 3rd year at the Minnesota Zoo! You’ll find over 5,000 illuminated pumpkins! Wander through the glow of thousands of artfully carved pumpkins all alight in the night. This season, carve out a little time to bask in the glow of nature and enjoy this truly magical experience. The entire event is outdoors and involves a considerable amount of walking.
The Great Pumpkin Fest
October 2 – October 31 | Saturdays 2pm-6pm & Sundays 12pm-6pm
Valleyfair | One Valleyfair Drive | Shakopee, MN 55379
Cost: From $35 + taxes and fees
Registration: https://www.valleyfair.com/events/valleyscare/great-pumpkin-fest
During the day, tiny terrors can join Snoopy and the rest of the PEANUTS gang for some not-so-scary Halloween activities for kids at The Great Pumpkin Fest! Enjoy your favorite rides, live entertainment, and great fall activities at The Great Pumpkin Fest. Activities include: hay bale maze on pedal tractors, Trick or Treat Street, silent disco, Sally’s Craft Corner, Peppermint Patty’s Corn Maize, costume parade and more!
Pumpkins on the Plaza
October 9 | 10am – 2pm
Plaza at Nolan and Mains, 50th and France | 3945 Market St | Edina, MN 55424
Cost: FREE, but registration is required
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pumpkins-on-the-plaza-tickets-169651100007?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Join in for a fun-filled day on the Plaza at Nolan & Mains with pumpkin painting, luminary lantern making, stories, music, and more! Be sure to stop by the story circle from 10-11am hosted by The Edina and Southdale Libraries! Enjoy a free beverage sample from Clean Juice and check out all of the amazing shops and restaurants in the 50th & France District!
Chairlift Rides
October 9 & October 10
Hyland Hills Ski Area, Bloomington
Cost: $5.58, registration is required
Registration: https://web2.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/mnthreeriverswt.wsc/search.html?module=Global&keyword=chairlift
Ride a chairlift to the top of Mount Gilboa for a picturesque view from one of the highest elevations in Hennepin County. Bring a blanket, enjoy live music and more. Food and beer available for purchase at the event. Advance tickets required.
Fire and Ice Festival and Bonspiel
October 15 | 6pm -9:30pm
October 16 | 12pm – 9:30pm
Fireman’s Park | 3210 Chaska Boulevard | Chaska, MN 55318
Cost: Free
Information: https://www.chaskamn.com/743/Fire-and-Ice-Festival
Family activities, live music, food and beverage vendors, bean bag tournament, family obstacle course, curling, and more! Fireworks at 8:30pm on both days. See website for live music line up.
Harvest to Halloween at the Barn
October 16 | 4pm-8pm
Riley Lake Park | 9180 Riley Lake Road | Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Cost: FREE
Information: https://www.edenprairie.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/15685/1830
There’s fun for the entire family at this free fall and Halloween event! Pumpkin carving, horse-drawn wagon rides, family activities and games, story stroll, scavenger hunt, glow-in-the-dark dance party at the barn after dark.
Jack-O-Lantern Trail of Fun!
October 22 | 5pm – 8pm
Athletic Park | 725 W 1st St | Chaska, MN 55318
Cost: Entrance fee: $2 per person (cash only at the gate)
Hayride fee: $1 per person (Advanced registration required). Hayrides start at 5pm and run every 20 minutes until 8pm.
Registration: Hayride times can be reserved online at: www.chaskacommunitycenter.com, in person at the CCC Front Desk or over the phone 952.44.5633
Climb aboard the hayride as you wander down the Minnesota River Bluff regional trail. Along the way you will be surrounded by spooky decorations and inflatable fun! There will be for s’mores, pumpkin archery (ages 10+), Kidsdance DJ, trick or treat stations, games, food trucks, community pumpkin carving contest and more!
Spooky Skate
October 24 | 12pm – 1:30pm
Chaska Community Center | 1661 Park Ridge Dr | Chaska, MN 55318
Cost: Free with CCC membership, $9 for Chaska/Carver resident, $11 for non-resident, skate rental: $3
Information: https://pub.lucidpress.com/ChaskaFall2021/#zjATJplv1WsI
Come celebrate Halloween at the CCC! Skaters are encouraged to come in costume, grab some trick or treat candy, and enjoy some all hallows fun!
My Grown Up & Me Hangouts: Pumpkin Painting and More!
October 25 | 10am – 10:45am
Chanhassen Recreation Center | 7700 Market Boulevard | Chanhassen, MN 55317
Cost: $12 per child, registration is required
Registration: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/chanhassen/activity/search/detail/6903?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
Get ready for Halloween with crafty creativity! There will be cider, cookies to frost, and pumpkins to craft together. For kids ages 3-8, and their grownups. Bring a parent, grandparents or friend for a morning of Fall Fun. Fee includes all supplies and treats. Adults are free.
Hallo-ZUMBA®
October 27 | 6pm -7pm
Chaska Community Center | 1661 Park Ridge Dr | Chaska, MN 55318
Cost: FREE, registration is required
Registration: https://apm.activecommunities.com/chaska/Activity_Search/hallo-zumba-2021/10289
Come to this dance party with your favorite Halloween costume! Prizes awarded to the best dressed male and female. This event is FREE to all, but registration required (max 40).
Burwell Spooktacular
October 29 | 5pm – 8pm
Charles H. Burwell House | 13209 McGinty Rd E | Minnetonka, MN 55305
Cost: FREE
Information: https://www.minnetonkamn.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1230/1224?curm=10&cury=2021
Wear your best costume and have a spooktacularly good time at this FREE fall event! There will be a spooky scavenger hunt, live performers, crafts, fire department inflatable slide, fire pits, Burwell House tours, and food vendors. Free parking is available at St. David’s Family Center.
Bike-O-Ween
October 30 | 9am-9:45am, 10am-10:45am, 11am-11:45am
Lake Nokomis | 2401 E Minnehaha Pkwy | Minneapolis, MN, US 55417
Cost: $5, registration is required
Registration: https://apm.activecommunities.com/minneapolisparks/Activity_Search?txtActivitySearch=Bike-o-Ween&applyFiltersDefaultValue=true&cat=Activities
Bike to Nokomis park this Halloween! Check-in at the Bike Skills Course and receive a bike decorating kit with everything your child needs to make their bike Holloweeny and then they can take a spin around the bike course. Kids who come in a costume get an extra Halloween treat! Free donut holes, hot coffee and juice boxes for all! Social distancing will be practiced during the event and people are encouraged to wear masks.
Halloween Party
October 30 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Chanhassen Recreation Center | 2310 Coulter Boulevard | Chanhassen, MN 55317
Cost: $6 per child, ages 2-12 (free admission for ages 1 & under), pre-registration strongly encouraged by 10/29, registration will also be available at the event, cash or check only.
Registration: https://www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us/273/Halloween-Party
Get your costumes ready for the 37th Annual Halloween Party! There will be trick-or-treating, carnival games, hayrides, face painting, refreshments, live entertainment, and more!
ArBOOretum
October 31 | 10am – 2pm
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum | 3675 Arboretum Drive | Chaska, MN 55318
Cost: Free for members and children (15 and under), $15.50 for non-members, registration required
Registration: https://84402.blackbaudhosting.com/84402/Ar-BOO-retum-31Oct2021-4
Trick or treat on the Dahlberg Terrace in front of the Oswald Visitor Center. Wear your costume to take full advantage of the many great photo opportunities at our World of Pumpkins and Scarecrows in the Garden displays. ArBOOretum included with general admission.
