Anoka: The Halloween Capital of the World Prepares for a Month of Spooky Celebration

Anoka: The Halloween Capital of the World Prepares for a Month of Spooky Celebration

Anoka, MN — The crisp autumn air, glowing pumpkins, and bustling preparations mean one thing: Halloween season has arrived in Anoka, Minnesota. Known far and wide as the “Halloween Capital of the World,” this small city on the banks of the Rum River is gearing up for its beloved month-long celebration — a tradition with roots stretching back more than a century.

A History Born from Hijinks

Anoka’s storied Halloween legacy didn’t emerge from folklore but from necessity. In the early 1900s, Halloween pranks had become a headache for the community, with outhouses tipped over, cows herded onto Main Street, and mischief escalating year after year. Determined to channel that energy into something positive, local civic leaders and business owners organized the city’s first official Halloween celebration in 1920.

That inaugural event featured a parade, a massive community bonfire, and fun activities for children. It was such a success that vandalism plummeted, cementing the start of an enduring tradition. By 1937, Anoka’s reputation reached the national stage when 12-year-old resident Harold Blair traveled to Washington, D.C., wearing a sweater with “Anoka Halloween Capital of the World” proudly stitched across the front, delivering a proclamation to Congress. Decades later, in 2003, Minnesota Congressman Jim Ramstad reaffirmed Anoka’s title from the floor of Congress, sealing its legacy.

A Month-Long Spectacle

What began as a single-night community gathering has transformed into a citywide festival spanning the entire month of October, attracting thousands of visitors annually while maintaining the original spirit of fun, family, and safety.

Signature events include:

• The Light Up the Night Parade: A dazzling evening procession of illuminated floats and glowing costumes.
• The Big Parade of Little People: A daytime march starring costumed schoolchildren from across the district.
• The Grande Day Parade: The flagship three-hour spectacle featuring bands, floats, performers, and community groups that fill downtown with music, laughter, and pageantry.

Beyond parades, Anoka’s calendar brims with festive competitions and community activities: the Giant Pumpkin Expo, pumpkin-carving contests, a house-decorating competition, the citywide Medallion Hunt, and even family-friendly staples like Bingo Night, a Blood Donor Drive, and the Ambassador Coronation.

A Community That Lives Halloween Year-Round

Even outside October, Anoka’s spooky spirit lingers. One of the city’s roundabouts is permanently painted as a giant jack-o’-lantern, greeting residents and visitors with a reminder of its unique identity. The local nonprofit Anoka Halloween, Inc. works tirelessly to coordinate events, engage youth, and sustain the community-first mission set more than a century ago.

For Anoka, Halloween is more than a holiday — it’s a civic identity, a unifying tradition, and a celebration that bridges generations. Whether you come for the parades, contests, or simply to soak in the festive atmosphere, the “Halloween Capital of the World” offers one of the Midwest’s most enchanting autumn experiences.

MinneapoliMedia