Embracing the season’s spooky spirit with an array of annual festivities and Halloween events.
October is the BEST month in Minnesota! It’s pumpkin time, it’s baking and chili time, it’s football time, it’s MEA fall break time (mine and my kids fave!). Here are Halloween fun ideas for families in Minnesota:
Pumpkin Patch Visits
Explore one of the many pumpkin patches around the state. Pick your own pumpkins, enjoy hayrides, corn mazes, and other family-friendly activities. Your top three voted family favorite patches are:
1st Place: Pinehaven Farm | Wyoming
2nd Place: Minnesota Harvest | Jordan
3rd Place: Waldoch Farm | Lino Lakes
Make sure to check out your family favorites too! Or visit our pumpkin patch directory to find over 20 patches across Minnesota here.
Minnesota Haunted Houses
Many haunted houses offer family-friendly hours, with toned-down scares suitable for kids. The classic haunted house to visit is the Anoka Haunted House located on the Anoka County Fairgrounds. A new one to the Twin Cities is located at the Mall of America, Fear Fest.
Twin Cities Trick-or-Treating
Check your local community for designated trick-or-treating and the super popular trunk-or-treat event hours and neighborhoods to visit. Here is a weekly list of Halloween events to check out:
Twin Cities Halloween Event for Kids – Weekend of October 2-4
you can visit our calendar to past events!
Twin Cities Halloween Event for Kids – Weekend of October 9-11
Harvest of Horror Haunted Attraction
Nightmare on the Crow 2026 Haunt!
Fall Festival at Lynde Greenhouse
Kids Day at the Nightmare on the Crow Halloween Attractions
8th Annual Community Trunk or Treat
Pumpkin & Paws at Lazy Dog Farm!
Edina Halloween Costume Swap at Edinborough Park
Twin Cities Halloween Event for Kids – MEA Weekend – October 17-20
coming soon!
Twin Cities Halloween Event for Kids – Weekend of October 25-27
coming soon!
Twin Cities Halloween Event for Kids – Weekend of October 30-31
coming soon!
Whew! That’s a lot! But wait…there still more here!
Minnesota Zoo’s Halloween Pumpkin Show
If you’re in the Twin Cities, consider visiting the Minnesota Zoo for their annual Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Spectacular event. The Lake Superior in Duluth is hosting Boo at the Zoo! which features trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt, and animal exhibits. Up in Freeport, MN, Hemker Park and Zoo is hosting Boo at the Zoo! Pine Grove Zoo is hosting BooFest an event where you can enjoy games, activities, and Halloween fun all day!
Restaurants with Halloween Decor in Twin Cities
Meteor — 2027 N 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Travail Kitchen & Amusements — 4134 Hubbard Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Black Forest Inn — 1 E 26th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404
- Creekside Supper Club — 4820 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
The Lexington — 1096 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
Bay Street Burger Dive — 731 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN 55102
MaGillycuddy’s — Anoka, MN 55303
Billy’s Bar & Grill — Anoka, MN 55303
The Mad Hatter Restaurant & Tea House — 1632 Ferry Street, Anoka, MN 55303
- Serum’s Good Time Emporium — 213 Jackson St, Anoka, MN 55303
Halloween Movie Nights
Host a family movie night with Halloween classics like “Hocus Pocus” or “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” We have a list of our 10 favorite Halloween movies and shows here. Or head to a local park for a Halloween favorite!
Kids Costume Contests
Participate in or attend a local costume contest. Many malls and community centers host these events. The City of Anoka is hosting a children’s costume contest on October 18th!
Spooky Nature Walks
Some nature centers organize guided night hikes with a Halloween theme. It’s a fun and educational way to celebrate. Dodge Nature Center in Cottage Grove is hosting Halloween Extravaganza, Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley is hosting Pumpkin Night in the Park and at Harriet Alexander Nature Center you will have a great time at their Halloween Spook-tacular event!
Halloween Crafts
Spend time creating Halloween-themed crafts at home or attend local craft workshops. We put together 4 DIY arts and crafts project’s to do at home:
-Cotton Ball Ghosts
-Halloween Slime
-Goggle Eyes Vase
-Handprint and Q-tip bones
Halloween Baking Ideas
Bake Halloween cookies or decorate cupcakes with your kids. They can be both fun to make and eat. These spooky spider treats are a hit with the kiddos! The yummy mummies are fun to make and eat too!
Twin Cities Fall Festivals and Halloween Events
Many fall festivals in Minnesota include Halloween events and themed activities. Check out events like the Stillwater Harvest Fest, Sever’s Fall Festival, Pinehaven Farm, Fall events at Minnesota Landscape Arboretum or Anoka Halloween Parade.
Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf
Some mini golf courses offer glow-in-the-dark Halloween-themed mini golf, which can be a blast for the family. You can find Lilli Putt Haunted Glow Golf in Coon Rapids, Halloween Glow Mini Golf at the Green Lagoon Golf in Chisago Lakes or go Trick-or-Teeing at the Mendota Heights Park 3 Golf Course.
Halloween Hayrides
Look for haunted hayrides or spooky train rides suitable for families. These Halloween events are family favorites and they make lasting family memories! Check out the Puppets in the Park Halloween Hayride at Franconia Sculpture Park for a haunted hayride, the Magnus Veterans Foundation Trunk or Treat Event offers hayrides and more for the kids, Trunk or Treat at FGU Elk River will offer hayrides at Lions Park, Boo Bash in Shoreview will have hayrides in McCullough Park, and the Annual Halloween Party in Chanhassen will host family hayrides.
Remember to check the specific event details, hours of operation, and weather related closures, as they may vary from place to place.
Have a spooktacular time celebrating Halloween with your family in Minnesota!
