MINNEAPOLIMEDIA PRESENTS | This Weekend in the Twin Cities™: The Exhaustive Twin Cities Weekend Directory (October 2 ~ 4, 2026)

TWIN CITIES, MN (October 2, 2026). October's first weekend arrives in the Twin Cities with runners preparing to cross two cities, pumpkins appearing in nearly every imaginable form and enough overlapping festivals, football games, concerts, art exhibitions and neighborhood gatherings to make transportation planning nearly as important as deciding where to go.

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon will command much of Minneapolis and Saint Paul on Sunday morning. By midafternoon, thousands more people will be moving toward U.S. Bank Stadium for the Minnesota Vikings' home game against the Miami Dolphins. Saturday brings Michigan to Huntington Bank Stadium, meaning both weekend days come with major sporting events capable of changing traffic well beyond the entrances to the venues.

But the weekend is much larger than its stadiums.

Blaine is turning Tom Ryan Park into an eight-and-a-half-hour Oktoberfest. Brooklyn Park firefighters are opening their station to families while another part of the city begins a month of weekends inside a giant corn maze. Anoka County opens a three-day fall festival before Anoka itself brings giant pumpkins downtown Sunday. Coon Rapids and surrounding communities have everything from household repair help to live music. New Brighton has gone to the dogs, quite literally.

In Minneapolis, glass artists will turn molten glass into pumpkins while families explore the Walker for free. The Minnesota Orchestra moves from Gabriella Smith to Mozart and Prokofiev. The Minneapolis Institute of Art opens a major exhibition devoted to Paris couture. Children's Theatre Company has Pinocchio. The Guthrie has Beckett. Saint Paul adds Celtic folk rock, children's music, science programming, more than 60 mineral and gem vendors, They Might Be Giants and an oyster festival.

Stillwater has artists beside the St. Croix. Chaska is celebrating apples and pumpkins while selling handmade work at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Shakopee combines more than 30 food trucks with an afternoon trunk-or-treat. Shoreview lets children climb into the trucks they normally watch from the sidewalk. Maple Grove lets people shoot arrows at pumpkins.

There are expensive ways to spend this weekend.

There are also enough free events to occupy a family from Friday through Sunday without purchasing a single admission ticket.

The problem is not finding something to do.

It is deciding what deserves the time.

What follows is MinneapoliMedia's verified, visitor-centered directory for October 2 through 4, including weather intelligence, admission information, accessibility notes, transportation guidance, capacity warnings, family considerations and practical observations about what readers should expect when they arrive.

THE WEEKEND WEATHER DESK

Alert status

At the time of MinneapoliMedia's final verification, the weekend weather picture for the immediate Twin Cities metropolitan area was relatively quiet.

The National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen forecast calls for a cooler, autumn-like Friday followed by a generally pleasant weekend. Friday should be sunny, with temperatures around the low-to-mid 60s. Saturday should remain mostly sunny to partly cloudy, with only a limited possibility of an isolated shower later in the day or evening. Sunday is expected to return to sunshine, with temperatures remaining in the 60s.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency maintains real-time air-quality monitoring for fine particles and ozone. No metropolitan air-quality alert was identified during MinneapoliMedia's final search of current weekend information.

That does not eliminate the need to check conditions again, particularly for people with respiratory or cardiovascular sensitivities. Air-quality conditions can change after publication.

Friday

Friday may be the weekend's easiest outdoor day.

Temperatures should remain comfortably cool, with sunshine through much of the day. Families visiting the Anoka County Fairgrounds, an orchard or another outdoor attraction should need layers more than rain gear.

The evening will cool quickly after sunset.

Saturday

Saturday remains favorable for outdoor plans.

The current forecast does not support abandoning Blaine Oktoberfest, the Brooklyn Park Fire Department Open House, Tails on the Trails, the Rivertown Fall Art Festival or other outdoor activities because of rain.

There may be increasing clouds and a small chance of an isolated shower later Saturday. Wind may also become more noticeable.

A lightweight rain layer remains sensible, particularly for people spending the entire day outdoors, but an umbrella does not need to become the central character in Saturday's plans.

Sunday

Sunday currently looks particularly favorable for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

The important distinction is between the afternoon high and the temperature when runners and spectators begin arriving.

A sunny day in the 60s can still mean a chilly early morning. Marathon spectators who expect to stand in one location for an extended period should dress in removable layers.

Ground conditions

Corn mazes, orchards and farms deserve a separate caution even during a dry weekend.

Grass, packed dirt, cornfields and agricultural paths are fundamentally different from paved festival grounds. Wheelchairs, walkers and strollers with small wheels may encounter difficult surfaces even when rain is not falling.

Contact the venue when terrain is an important accessibility consideration.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

Friday begins quietly enough.

That does not last.

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Health & Fitness Expo

The finish line is still two days away, but Marathon Weekend begins before anyone runs from Minneapolis to Saint Paul.

The Health & Fitness Expo brings runners to RiverCentre to collect race materials while exhibitors focus on running, fitness, health, equipment and nutrition.

Non-runners can attend.

When: Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The expo continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102.

Admission: Free to enter the expo.

Age and family fit: All ages.

Accessibility: RiverCentre provides accessible entrances, elevators and restrooms. Visitors requiring specific accommodations should contact the facility.

Parking and transit: Downtown Saint Paul has multiple paid ramps and transit connections. Marathon-related activity increases throughout the weekend.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Twin Cities In Motion.

Anoka County Fairgrounds Fall Festival

Summer's county fair has left the grounds. Fall has moved in.

The three-day festival includes hayrides, pumpkin bowling, pedal tractors, a corn pit and other seasonal activities. A haunted house gives older children something beyond the gentler attractions, while optional carnival rides, food, face painting and other activities can increase the actual cost of the visit.

When: Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Anoka County Fairgrounds, 3200 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Anoka, MN 55303.

Admission: $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 5 through 12; free for children 4 and younger. Some optional activities cost extra.

Age and family fit: Broadly family-oriented. Parents should use judgment with the haunted-house component.

Accessibility: Fairgrounds include paved and unpaved areas. Contact organizers when mobility across outdoor surfaces is a concern.

Parking: Fairgrounds parking is available.

Weather: Significant outdoor component. Friday's forecast is favorable.

Information: Anoka County Fairgrounds.

Brooklyn Park Oktoberfest Luncheon

Brooklyn Park gets an early start on Oktoberfest.

The city's Friday luncheon at Edinburgh USA combines a German-style meal with seasonal entertainment, including music from "Squeezy" Wes Miller.

When: Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Edinburgh USA, 8700 Edinbrook Crossing, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443.

Admission: Advance registration applies. Check current availability before leaving home.

Age and family fit: Primarily an adult daytime social event.

Accessibility: Edinburgh USA is an established public event facility. Contact the venue regarding individual accommodations.

Parking: On-site parking.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Brooklyn Park recreation/community programming.

Auxiliary Harvest Sale

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Auxiliary spends the weekend selling work made by its members.

Seasonal home décor, wreaths, floral arrangements, soaps, knitted accessories, quilts and woodcraft turn Snyder Auditorium into an autumn marketplace.

When: Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Snyder Auditorium, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318.

Admission: Included with general daily Arboretum admission. Members and visitors 15 and younger are free. Nonmembers ages 16 and older pay the applicable daily admission, currently $20 to $25.

Registration: The Arboretum recommends reserving admission in advance to guarantee entry.

Age and family fit: All ages.

Accessibility: Snyder Auditorium and the principal visitor facilities are accessible. Other areas of the Arboretum vary by terrain.

Parking: On-site.

Weather: The sale itself is indoors, making it useful even if weather changes.

Information: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Robbinsdale Boo Bash

Halloween is still four weeks away.

Children are unlikely to object to starting early.

Boo Bash gives families a deliberately non-scary evening with trick-or-treating, games, crafts, music and seasonal activities.

When: Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: Hollingsworth Park, 4237 Shoreline Drive, Robbinsdale, MN 55422.

Admission: Free.

Age and family fit: Especially appropriate for younger children and families looking for Halloween without a haunted attraction.

Accessibility: Outdoor park environment.

Parking: Neighborhood and park-area parking. Observe posted restrictions.

Weather: Outdoor event. Current conditions favor proceeding as scheduled.

Information: City of Robbinsdale.

First Friday at F-O-K Studios

Three floors of working artist studios open for an evening of art, conversation and live entertainment.

The attraction here is not a single exhibition. It is the opportunity to move through a building containing painting, sculpture, textiles, mixed media and other practices while artists are present.

When: Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: F-O-K Studios, 106 West Water Street, Saint Paul, MN 55107.

Admission: Free.

Age and family fit: Broad arts audience.

Accessibility: Ramp and elevator access are available.

Parking: Free parking.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: F-O-K Studios.

An Evening With The Hounds of Finn

Celtic music does not have to choose between preservation and reinvention.

The Saint Paul-based Hounds of Finn mix Celtic traditions with Americana, bluegrass and folk-rock. Mac & Cheese and the Center for Irish Music's Advanced Youth Ensemble open the evening.

When: Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Where: Celtic Junction Arts Center, 836 Prior Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN 55104.

Admission: $20 in advance; $25 at the door after advance sales close.

Youth: Ages 18 and younger are admitted free.

Age and family fit: Particularly good for families with older children interested in live traditional and contemporary folk music.

Accessibility: Contact Celtic Junction regarding specific accommodations.

Parking and transit: Midway location with transit access. Verify venue parking before arrival.

Information: Celtic Junction Arts Center.

Minnesota Orchestra: Søndergård, Mozart and Prokofiev

Thomas Søndergård leads the Minnesota Orchestra through a program that moves from Gabriella Smith's Tumblebird Contrails to Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto and Prokofiev's Sixth Symphony.

Stefan Jackiw is the violin soloist.

When: Friday at 8 p.m.; repeated Saturday at 7 p.m.

Where: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Admission: Ticketed. Prices depend on seating location and remaining inventory.

Age and family fit: Best for older children, teenagers and adults comfortable with a full concert.

Accessibility: Accessible seating, assistive-listening equipment and other accommodations are available through Orchestra Hall.

Parking and transit: Downtown ramps, lots and transit are available.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Minnesota Orchestra.

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants are not merely stopping in the Twin Cities.

They are settling in for several nights.

The band's run includes Minneapolis before moving to the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul Saturday and Sunday. The shows feature two sets, an eight-piece band and no opening act.

When: Friday evening in Minneapolis; Saturday and Sunday at the Fitzgerald Theater.

Admission: Ticketed. Check current inventory before departure.

Age: Venue-specific. The Fitzgerald performances are listed as all ages.

Information: First Avenue/Fitzgerald Theater.

Midway Music and Arts Fest

This festival is less a destination than an invitation to explore a neighborhood.

Programming spreads across Hamline-Midway businesses and performance spaces instead of remaining behind one festival gate.

Music, visual art, literature, DJs and community programming continue through Sunday.

When: Friday through Sunday.

Where: Multiple Hamline-Midway locations, Saint Paul.

Admission: Varies by program. Some programming is free.

Age: Venue-specific.

Accessibility: Venue-specific.

Transit: One of the festival's advantages. The neighborhood is served by multiple transit options, including the Green Line corridor.

Information: Midway Music and Arts Fest and participating venues.

FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE NORTH METRO

The North Metro does not shut down simply because the larger theaters are south of Interstate 694.

This time, however, each verified North Metro event gets the same visitor treatment as the larger-city listings.

BBQ & Live Music Friday at Jellybean & Julia's

Jellybean & Julia's combines scratch-made barbecue with Friday-night live music in Coon Rapids.

For readers who want dinner and entertainment without turning Friday into a downtown trip, this is one of the most straightforward local options.

When: Friday evening. The restaurant is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; confirm the performer's exact set time before leaving home.

Where: Jellybean & Julia's BBQ, 2501 Coon Rapids Boulevard NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.

Admission: Restaurant entry is free. Food and beverages are purchased separately. Confirm whether any particular performance carries a cover.

Age and family fit: Restaurant setting, although amplified live music can make the room louder later in the evening.

Accessibility: Contact the restaurant for specific seating or mobility needs.

Parking: On-site/local commercial parking.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Jellybean & Julia's BBQ, 763-421-6119.

Live Music & Sports Game Night at The Well

The Well offers the familiar neighborhood combination of televised sports, pub food and live entertainment.

When: Friday evening. The venue is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Live-music timing should be confirmed directly.

Where: The Well Sports Tavern & Grill, 35 Coon Rapids Boulevard NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448.

Admission: No general admission identified. Food and drinks are separate purchases. Confirm any event-specific cover.

Age and family fit: Restaurant and sports-bar environment. Later evening hours are more adult-oriented.

Accessibility: Contact the venue regarding specific accommodations.

Parking: On-site commercial parking.

Weather: Indoor venue, although seasonal patio entertainment may depend on conditions.

Information: The Well Sports Tavern & Grill, 763-792-0800.

Randy Stonehill in Concert

Randy Stonehill brings more than five decades of songwriting and Christian rock history to one of Anoka's most intimate performance spaces.

The venue itself is part of the story. Heart of the City Music Factory occupies the second floor of the historic Old Milk Factory beside the Rum River.

When: Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Heart of the City Music Factory, 2665 Fourth Avenue, Suite 211, Anoka, MN 55303.

Admission: Ticketed. Verify current ticket price and remaining inventory before departure.

Age and family fit: Concert audience. Appropriate for listeners interested in singer-songwriter and Christian music.

Accessibility: Important warning. The performance space is upstairs and does not have an elevator. Patrons who cannot manage multiple flights of stairs should contact the venue before purchasing.

Parking: Local lot/street parking around the Old Milk Factory.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Heart of the City Music Factory, 612-990-6192.

Todd Michael Jameson at 10K Brewing

Todd Michael Jameson's set is difficult to reduce to one genre.

His repertoire can move from Waylon Jennings and the Eagles to Otis Redding, Zach Bryan and Iron Maiden, along with his own material.

When: Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Where: 10K Brewing, 2005 Second Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303.

Admission: No separate performance admission was identified in the brewery's event listing. Food and beverages are separate purchases.

Age and family fit: Brewery environment. Families should confirm current age policies for evening programming.

Accessibility: Contact the brewery for individual accommodation needs.

Parking: Downtown Anoka parking.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: 10K Brewing, 763-392-4753.

Crooners Supper Club Friday Marathon

Crooners does not have one Friday concert. It has a small festival's worth of them.

The Fridley supper club's October 2 schedule includes multiple performances across its rooms, allowing audiences to choose between country-pop sing-along, jazz, funk and classic-rock tribute programming.

Where: Crooners Supper Club, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Fridley, MN 55432.

Parking: On-site parking.

Accessibility: Contact Crooners regarding accessible seating and the particular room used for each performance.

Food: Dinner and drink service is available. Doors generally open before showtime.

Age and family fit: Supper-club concert environment. Check individual show policies.

Information: Crooners Supper Club, 763-760-0062.

The Cars Tribute: CANDY-OH!

When: Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Doors: Approximately 3:45 p.m. for dinner and beverage service.

Admission: Current ticket listings place tickets approximately in the upper-30toupper-40 range before any applicable fees. Verify final checkout price and availability.

The early start makes this one of the easier Crooners shows to combine with dinner without committing the entire night.

Saxophunk: The Ronny Loew Band

When: Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Doors: Approximately 6 p.m. for dinner and beverage service.

Admission: Current ticket listings place tickets approximately from the upper-30rangeintotheupper-40 range before applicable fees.

The program leans toward saxophone-driven funk and contemporary instrumental music.

Dolly Parton Sing-Along

Erin Schwab, Andy Fleser and Andy LaCasse lead an audience-centered celebration of Dolly Parton's catalog.

Admission and exact room/time: Confirm directly with Crooners before departure.

Jazz Standard Deviants

Barbara Piper and Larry McDonough bring a more intimate jazz option to the same Friday calendar.

Admission and exact room/time: Confirm directly with Crooners.

The important planning point is that these performances may overlap. Readers should choose a show rather than assume a single Crooners ticket provides access to the entire Friday schedule.

Good for Gary Tent Party

Good for Gary brings its high-energy cover-band show to Ham Lake Friday.

When: Friday evening. Confirm exact music and gate times before departure.

Where: Maxx Bar & Grill, 17646 Central Avenue NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304.

Admission: Confirm current cover or ticket requirements directly with Maxx.

Age and family fit: Bar-and-grill tent-party environment, more suitable to adults as the evening progresses.

Accessibility: Outdoor/tent conditions may differ from the restaurant's permanent interior. Contact the venue if mobility access is important.

Parking: On-site.

Weather: Tent/outdoor component. Dress for a cooler Friday evening.

Information: Maxx Bar & Grill, 763-434-4970.

Weekend Live Rock & Country at JR's Outpost

Ramsey also enters the Friday-night calendar with live rock and country programming.

When: Friday evening, with weekend music continuing according to the venue schedule.

Where: JR's Outpost, Ramsey.

Admission: Confirm cover directly with the venue.

Age and family fit: Bar/nightlife setting.

Weather: Primarily indoors.

Information: JR's Outpost.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

Saturday contains more possibilities than anyone should attempt to fit into a single day.

The question is not which event is universally "best."

It is whether the people in the car want pumpkins, football, fire trucks, music, dogs, science, food trucks, art, beer, rocks, llamas or a quiet afternoon in a museum.

Medtronic TC 10K, TC 5K and Family Events

Marathon Weekend belongs to children and shorter-distance runners Saturday.

The TC 10K begins at 7:30 a.m., the TC 5K at 9 a.m. and free family events at 10 a.m. near the Minnesota State Capitol.

Family programming includes the Diaper Dash, Toddler Trot, Half Mile and Mile.

Where: Minnesota State Capitol area, Saint Paul.

Admission: Spectating is free. Race-registration requirements vary.

Family events: Free.

Age and family fit: One of the weekend's strongest opportunities for children to participate in Marathon Weekend without spending Sunday following the full marathon.

Accessibility: Capitol grounds provide accessible routes, although crowds and temporary race infrastructure should be expected.

Parking and transit: Participants and spectators should review Twin Cities In Motion transportation guidance. Free monitored bicycle parking is available at the Capitol during designated hours.

Weather: Cool in the morning, then increasingly comfortable.

Information: Twin Cities In Motion.

Blaine Oktoberfest

Blaine has essentially constructed a free Saturday afternoon and evening for families.

The city combines three music sets, food trucks, bounce houses, a climbing wall, petting zoo and adjacent craft fair around Tom Ryan Park and City Hall.

When: Saturday from noon to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Tom Ryan Park, 10802 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine, MN 55449.

Admission: Free.

Parking: Free.

Music: Fiddle and Flannels from noon to 1:30 p.m.; Anti-Skip Protection from 3 to 5 p.m.; GB Leighton beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Family activities: Bounce houses noon to 6 p.m.; climbing wall 1 to 6 p.m.; petting zoo 2 to 6 p.m.

Food trucks: Noon to 8:30 p.m.

Fall Craft Fair: Noon to 6 p.m. inside Blaine City Hall Atrium, 10801 Town Square Drive NE.

Age and family fit: Excellent daytime family event. Evening programming remains broadly community-oriented.

Accessibility: Tom Ryan Park is a developed municipal park. City Hall provides an indoor accessible environment. Contact Blaine Parks and Recreation regarding specific accommodations.

Weather: Outdoor event with indoor craft-fair option.

Information: City of Blaine Parks and Recreation, 763-717-2723.

Coon Rapids / Anoka County Fix-It Clinic

A coffee maker that stopped working does not necessarily need to become garbage.

Neither does a lamp, vacuum or piece of clothing.

Anoka County's Fix-It Clinic pairs residents with experienced volunteers who help diagnose and repair household items.

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Bunker Hills Activity Center, 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW, Andover, MN 55304.

Admission: Free.

Registration: First come, first served.

Items: Lamps, coffee makers, clothing, vacuums and other repairable household goods are among the examples accepted.

Not accepted: Dehumidifiers.

Age and family fit: All ages, although the event is primarily a practical household service.

Accessibility: Established county activity center.

Parking: On-site.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Anoka County and City of Coon Rapids community calendar.

Brooklyn Park Fire Department Open House

Children may come for the trucks.

The adults may leave knowing more about how quickly residential sprinklers can change the outcome of a fire.

Brooklyn Park's open house includes a kitchen-fire simulator, side-by-side residential sprinkler demonstration and vehicle-extrication demonstration.

Fire apparatus, police vehicles, ambulances, tow trucks, snowplows and dump trucks will also be displayed.

When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Central Fire Station, 5700 85th Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443.

Admission: Free.

Age and family fit: Excellent for children and families.

Accessibility: Fire-station environment. Contact the department for specific accommodation questions.

Parking: Follow event signage and temporary parking instructions.

Weather: Some activities are outdoors.

Information: Brooklyn Park Fire Department, 763-493-8020.

Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Maze

Brooklyn Park's giant corn maze returns with an America 250 design and enough accompanying attractions to turn a cornfield into an all-day family destination.

The all-inclusive ticket covers the corn maze, petting zoo, inflatables, gunny-sack slide, train ride, magic shows, corn pits, straw-bale maze, photo opportunities, live music and playground.

Some activities still cost extra.

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: 8901 101st Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445.

Admission: $20 per person.

Children: Children under 36 inches tall are admitted free.

Parking: Free.

Included: America 250 Corn Maze, petting zoo, inflatables, train ride, magic shows and multiple play areas.

Extra-cost activities: Food, face painting, caricatures, pumpkin slinger, pony rides and animal feed.

Payment: Cards accepted.

Weather: Rain or shine.

Accessibility: Cornfield and farm surfaces can be difficult for some mobility devices. Contact the festival directly when terrain is a concern.

Information: Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Maze, 952-992-9326.

Brooklyn Park Rotary Oktoberfest

Brooklyn Park's second Oktoberfest of the weekend takes a different approach from Friday's luncheon and Blaine's family festival.

Food, local beverage tastings, entertainment, games and raffles support Rotary community projects.

When: Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.

Where: Edinburgh USA Golf Course, 8700 Edinbrook Crossing, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443.

Admission: Ticketed. Verify current availability and price before departure.

Age and family fit: More adult-oriented because alcoholic beverage tastings are part of the event.

Accessibility: Established event facility.

Parking: On-site.

Weather: Protected event setting.

Information: Brooklyn Park Rotary Club.

Pumpkin Archery

Someone eventually looked at an October pumpkin and decided carving it was insufficient.

Three Rivers Park District provides the bows.

Participants learn basic archery technique and then take aim at pumpkins.

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: Elm Creek Park Reserve, 12400 James Deane Parkway, Maple Grove, MN 55369.

Admission: $12 per person.

Equipment: Provided.

Experience: Beginners are welcome.

Registration: Check current availability before departure.

Age: Confirm the program's participant-age requirements during registration.

Accessibility: Outdoor recreation program.

Weather: Outdoors.

Information: Three Rivers Park District Outdoor Recreation School.

Tails on the Trails

Hansen Park belongs to the dogs Saturday morning.

Almost.

Dogs and their people can walk the park while visiting business and nonprofit booths, watching dog-related demonstrations and participating in children's activities.

People without dogs are explicitly welcome.

When: Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Where: Hansen Park, 1555 Fifth Street NW, New Brighton, MN 55112.

Admission: Free.

Dog rule: Dogs must remain on leashes no longer than six feet.

Age and family fit: All ages.

Accessibility: Park and trail environment. Contact New Brighton regarding specific mobility questions.

Weather: Outdoors.

Information: New Brighton Parks and Recreation.

Shoreview Touch-a-Truck

There is a particular age at which sitting in a snowplow may be more exciting than almost anything adults could have planned.

Shoreview understands its audience.

Children can climb into and explore snowplows, dump trucks and other vehicles used around the city.

When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

Where: Shoreview Community Center lower-level parking lot, 4580 Victoria Street North, Shoreview, MN 55126.

Admission: Free.

Age and family fit: Especially good for younger children.

Accessibility: Parking-lot event. Contact the city regarding specific accommodation needs.

Noise: Families with children sensitive to horns, engines or sudden loud sounds may want hearing protection.

Weather: Outdoors.

Information: City of Shoreview.

New Hope Trick or Trot

Costumes come out early in New Hope.

Children walk a lighted trail collecting treats while the park adds face painting, pumpkin decorating, music, carnival games and a costume contest.

When: Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Where: Civic Center Park / New Hope Performance Center, 4401 Xylon Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55428.

Admission: Check current city registration information.

Age: Designed for children ages 2 through 12 and their adult companions.

Clothing: Organizers recommend tennis shoes with costumes.

Food: Food trucks will be on site.

Weather: Outdoors.

Information: City of New Hope.

Minnesota Mineral Club Annual Rock, Mineral & Gem Show

A five-dollar admission can still buy a substantial Saturday.

More than 60 vendors fill the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand with minerals, crystals, fossils, gemstones and jewelry ranging from inexpensive pieces to collector specimens.

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand, 1265 Snelling Avenue, Falcon Heights, MN 55108.

Admission: $5 for adults.

Children: Ages 12 and younger free.

Parking: Free.

Food: Food trucks on site.

Age and family fit: Excellent multigenerational event, particularly for children interested in geology, fossils or collecting.

Accessibility: Indoor Grandstand event. Contact organizers regarding individual accommodations.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Minnesota Mineral Club, 715-821-9297.

Schubert Club KidsJam: Border CrosSing

Children do not have to sit silently through a formal concert to begin learning how music moves between cultures.

Border CrosSing takes families through classical and folk traditions from Latin America using music, movement and hands-on participation.

When: Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.

Where: Landmark Center, Courtroom 317, 75 West Fifth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102.

Admission: Free.

Registration: Required. Check remaining capacity.

Age: Suggested for children ages 5 through 12 and their families or caregivers.

Accessibility: Landmark Center is an accessible public building.

Parking and transit: Downtown Saint Paul ramps, meters and transit.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Schubert Club, 651-292-3268.

Science Is All of Us: LGBTQ+ People in STEM Day

The Science Museum of Minnesota devotes Saturday programming to scientists, educators and organizations showing children that scientific discovery does not come from one kind of person.

Hands-on activities, career information, interactive displays, presentations and live performances are planned.

When: Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102.

Admission: Check museum admission and event registration requirements.

Age and family fit: Families, students and people interested in science careers.

Accessibility: The Science Museum provides accessible entrances, elevators and visitor services.

Parking: Science Museum ramp and downtown Saint Paul parking.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Science Museum of Minnesota / Project Success.

Walker Art Center Free First Saturday: Story Makers & Dream Shapers

Free First Saturday is not simply free museum admission.

The October program asks children to think about how artists create stories through books, dance, plays, sculpture and other forms.

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; galleries remain open until 5 p.m.

Where: Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Admission: Free.

Registration: Required for the family program.

Age and family fit: Children and families.

Accessibility: Walker provides accessible entrances, elevators and visitor services.

Parking: Paid Walker ramp and surrounding street parking.

Weather: Indoor galleries provide an easy backup if outdoor plans change.

Information: Walker Art Center.

Glass Pumpkin Patch 2026

A pumpkin does not necessarily begin in a field.

At Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, it begins as molten glass.

Visitors can watch glassblowers create pumpkins, browse handcrafted work or preregister to design the colors and stem of a custom pumpkin that a professional glassblower makes in front of them.

When: Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Where: Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts, 2213 Snelling Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Admission: Free entry.

Glassblowing demonstrations: Free.

Custom pumpkin: $50. Advance registration and payment required.

Age: Visitors younger than 14 must attend with a parent or legal guardian.

Accessibility: Foci publishes event-specific accessibility information.

ASL: An interpreter will be on site Saturday. Walk-up visitors may use interpreter services without an RSVP.

Important pickup note: Custom pumpkins cannot go home immediately. Glass must cool gradually in a kiln and will be ready for pickup within five days.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts.

50th & France Fall Fest

This is a short event by design.

That makes it useful.

Families can paint pumpkins, meet llamas and participate in fall art activities without committing the entire day to a festival.

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: 50th & France business district, Edina/Minneapolis.

Admission: Free.

Age and family fit: Especially good for younger children.

Parking: District ramps, lots and street parking.

Weather: Mix of outdoor district activities and nearby indoor businesses.

Information: 50th & France.

Shakopee Fall Food Truck Festival and Shak-O-Lantern

More than 30 food trucks make the Food Truck Festival substantial enough to be a destination rather than merely a place to buy lunch.

This year, families also get a second event without moving the car.

Shak-O-Lantern joins the festival from 2 to 4 p.m., bringing costumes, decorated vehicle trunks and trick-or-treating to The Landing.

When: Food Truck Festival Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.; Shak-O-Lantern from 2 to 4 p.m.

Where: The Landing, Minnesota River Heritage Park, 2187 County Road 101, Shakopee, MN 55379.

Admission: Free entry. Food and beverages are separate purchases.

Age and family fit: All ages. Shak-O-Lantern is specifically family-focused.

Parking: Follow event parking instructions.

Weather: Outdoor event.

Information: Shakopee Chamber & Visitors Bureau.

Apple & Pumpkin Harvest Day

Minnesota's most famous apple did not happen by accident.

Visitors to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum can walk the orchard with apple researchers and learn about varieties developed in Minnesota, including Honeycrisp, while also exploring pumpkins, cooking demonstrations, tastings, STEM activities and pollinator programming.

When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Farm at the Arb, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318.

Admission: Included with general daily admission.

Members and children 15 and younger: Free.

Nonmembers ages 16 and older: $20 to $25 depending on admission option.

Reservations: Advance admission reservation recommended to guarantee entry.

Food: Rootstock Pop-Up operates from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Age and family fit: Excellent all-ages fall outing.

Accessibility: Farm terrain differs from the main visitor center. Contact the Arboretum when mobility is a concern.

Weather: Significant outdoor component.

Information: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Rivertown Fall Art Festival

Stillwater's riverfront becomes an outdoor gallery.

The 49th annual festival expects artists and visitors from Minnesota, Wisconsin and beyond, with organizers estimating attendance above 10,000.

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Lowell Park, downtown Stillwater riverfront, Stillwater, MN 55082.

Admission: Free.

Age and family fit: All ages.

Accessibility: Organizers do not currently publish detailed event-specific accessibility information. Downtown Stillwater also includes slopes and varying distances between parking and the riverfront.

Parking: Arrive early. Major festival weekends put pressure on downtown parking.

Weather: Outdoors.

Information: Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, 651-439-4001.

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Michigan Wolverines

Saturday morning brings one of college football's oldest trophy rivalries back to Minneapolis.

When: Saturday at 11 a.m.

Where: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis.

Admission: Ticketed. Prices depend on inventory and seating.

Age and family fit: College football environment.

Accessibility: Stadium accessibility services are available.

Parking and transit: Expect significant congestion around Stadium Village and the University of Minnesota. Transit is worth serious consideration.

Weather: Outdoor stadium. Current forecast is favorable.

Visitor note: Fans should review current stadium bag and entry policies before leaving home.

Information: University of Minnesota Athletics.

Darkness Day

Surly Brewing's annual celebration is built around its Darkness imperial stout, but the event has expanded into a long day of live music, special releases, food and other programming.

When: Saturday beginning late morning and continuing into the evening.

Where: Surly Brewing Co., 520 Malcolm Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.

Admission: Free entry. Bottle packages, food, beverages and other purchases cost extra.

Age and family fit: Primarily an adult-oriented beer event.

Weather: Portions of the celebration may be outdoors.

Parking and transit: University-area traffic will already be complicated by the Gophers-Michigan game. Transit deserves consideration.

Information: Surly Brewing.

SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET DESK

The arrival of October does not end market season.

Minneapolis Farmers Market

When: Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 312 East Lyndale Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55405.

Admission: Free to browse.

Visitor note: Vendors vary. Readers specifically seeking Minnesota-grown produce should read farm and origin signage rather than assuming every product has the same source.

Farmers Market Annex

When: Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 200 East Lyndale Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55405.

Admission: Free to browse.

The Annex is close enough to the main market to treat both as one morning outing.

Mill City Farmers Market

When: Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 750 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

Admission: Free to browse.

Transit: Downtown East location works well with transit.

Family fit: The riverfront setting makes this easier to turn into a longer walk than many parking-lot markets.

Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market

When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 629 Second Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

Admission: Free to browse.

The smaller footprint can be an advantage for people who want a neighborhood market without the scale of Lyndale.

Saint Paul Farmers' Market

When: Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: 290 East Fifth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101.

Admission: Free to browse.

Sunday warning: Marathon traffic and road closures may complicate access.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

Sunday begins with runners.

It does not end with them.

By afternoon, U.S. Bank Stadium will be filling for Vikings football while museums, art festivals, concerts, pumpkins and food events continue across the region.

Medtronic TC 10 Mile

When: Sunday at 7 a.m.

Finish: Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul.

Runner status: Sold out.

Spectating: Free.

Weather: Dress for a cool morning.

Information: Twin Cities In Motion.

TC Half Marathon for More

When: Sunday at 7:40 a.m.

Finish area: Minnesota State Capitol.

Spectating: Free.

Information: Twin Cities In Motion.

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

The weekend's largest public event starts in Minneapolis and finishes at the State Capitol after 26.2 miles of lakes, neighborhoods, parkways, river crossings and Summit Avenue.

When: Sunday at 8 a.m.

Start: Minneapolis.

Finish: Minnesota State Capitol, Saint Paul.

Runner status: Sold out.

Spectating: Free.

Age and family fit: All ages for spectators. Families should choose viewing locations based on children's tolerance for crowds, walking and waiting.

Accessibility: Accessible viewing conditions vary along a 26.2-mile route. The Capitol provides established accessible routes.

Transportation: Road closures are the weekend's largest transportation issue. Check the official course before driving anywhere near the route.

Bicycle parking: Twin Cities In Motion provides free monitored bike parking at the Capitol during designated Sunday hours.

Weather: Current forecast favors runners and spectators, but the morning will be much cooler than the afternoon high.

Information: Twin Cities In Motion.

Great Pumpkin Expo

Anoka does not wait until Halloween week to remind anyone why it calls itself the Halloween Capital of the World.

Giant pumpkins, carved pumpkins and scarecrows arrive at City Hall Plaza Sunday.

When: Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Anoka City Hall Plaza, Anoka.

Admission: Free.

Age and family fit: All ages.

Accessibility: Downtown plaza environment.

Parking: Downtown Anoka parking.

Weather: Outdoors. Current Sunday forecast is favorable.

Information: City of Anoka.

Minnesota Children's Museum First Free Sunday

Free admission is only useful if there is room inside.

The Minnesota Children's Museum's First Free Sunday provides access to three floors of play-based exhibits, but tickets are required and capacity can be reached.

When: Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Minnesota Children's Museum, 10 West Seventh Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102.

Admission: Free.

Tickets: Required.

Capacity: Limited. This is a popular program and may reach capacity.

Arrival: Visitors should arrive within the museum's stated window for their reservation.

Age and family fit: Best suited to children through approximately age 12.

Accessibility: Established museum accessibility features and family facilities.

Parking and transit: Downtown Saint Paul. Marathon-related road closures make Sunday transit planning particularly important.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Minnesota Children's Museum.

Paris Couture

The Minneapolis Institute of Art opens a major exhibition drawn from Palais Galliera, the fashion museum of Paris.

More than 80 works trace generations of haute couture from the late 19th century into the present.

When: Public exhibition opens Sunday and continues through January 17, 2027.

Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

General museum admission: Free.

Special exhibition: Confirm current ticket requirements for Paris Couture.

Age and family fit: Fashion, design, art and cultural-history audiences.

Accessibility: Mia provides accessible entrances, elevators and visitor facilities.

Parking: Museum ramps and neighborhood parking.

Weather: Indoors.

Important opening-weekend note: Friday's Gala Celebration is sold out. Saturday's separate Preview Party was still being sold during final verification.

Information: Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Meritage Oysterfest

Oysterfest moves into Seventh Place Plaza this year.

The outdoor festival combines oysters, food, beverages and live programming, while Meritage Underground becomes the Platinum Pass Lounge with a second stage.

When: Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Where: Seventh Place Mall, 10 West Seventh Place, Saint Paul, MN 55102.

Admission: Prices vary by ticket/pass.

Age and family fit: Primarily adult food-and-drink audience.

Accessibility: Downtown plaza environment. Contact organizers regarding specific accommodations.

Transportation: Do not approach this like an ordinary downtown Saint Paul Sunday. Marathon activity and road closures may affect the area.

Weather: Outdoor component. Current forecast is favorable.

Information: Meritage.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins

Sunday has a second major transportation event after the marathon.

The Vikings host Miami in Week 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

When: Sunday at 3:05 p.m.

Doors: 1:05 p.m.

Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis.

Admission: Ticketed.

Bag policy: The stadium strongly encourages guests not to bring bags. Permitted bags include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, one-gallon clear freezer bags and small clutch bags no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Medical exceptions are subject to inspection.

Payment: U.S. Bank Stadium is cashless.

Accessibility: Stadium accessibility and medically necessary bag exceptions are available under venue policy.

Parking and transit: Strongly consider transit. Marathon-related traffic will be winding down while football traffic builds around Downtown East.

Information: Minnesota Vikings / U.S. Bank Stadium.

Journey: Final Frontier Tour

Sunday night gives classic-rock audiences another reason to remain in Saint Paul after Marathon Weekend.

Journey's Final Frontier Tour arrives at Grand Casino Arena.

When: Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Doors: 6 p.m.

Where: Grand Casino Arena, Saint Paul.

Admission: Ticketed.

Age and family fit: Arena concert audience. Review venue policies for younger attendees.

Accessibility: Arena accessibility services available.

Parking and transit: Downtown Saint Paul will have spent the morning recovering from marathon traffic. Allow extra travel time and review current arena transportation information.

Weather: Indoors.

Information: Grand Casino Arena.

They Might Be Giants

The band's Twin Cities residency concludes Sunday at the Fitzgerald Theater.

When: Sunday evening.

Where: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101.

Admission: Ticketed. Check remaining inventory.

Age: All ages.

Accessibility: Accessible seating is available through the venue's ticketing system.

Parking and transit: Downtown Saint Paul. Allow for lingering Marathon Weekend impacts.

Information: Fitzgerald Theater.

Rivertown Fall Art Festival

Sunday is the second and final day along the Stillwater riverfront.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Lowell Park, downtown Stillwater.

Admission: Free.

Parking: Arrive early.

Weather: Current Sunday forecast should make this an attractive outdoor choice.

Information: Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.

Glass Pumpkin Patch

Sunday is also the final day to watch glass pumpkins being made at Foci.

When: Noon to 5 p.m.

Where: 2213 Snelling Avenue, Minneapolis.

Admission: Free entry and demonstrations.

Custom pumpkin: $50 with advance registration.

Accessibility: Contact Foci for individual accommodation needs.

Information: Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts.

Haunts and Horrors Book Fair

Bad Weather Brewing gives Sunday afternoon to readers who prefer their October scares between covers.

When: Sunday.

Where: Bad Weather Brewing, Saint Paul.

Admission and age: Verify directly with the organizer before attending.

Food: A food-truck appearance is also scheduled Sunday.

Information: Bad Weather Brewing.

MAJOR FALL DESTINATIONS

Some fall outings do not fit neatly beneath one date.

They are destinations rather than events, and they deserve the same planning information as the one-day festivals.

Minnesota Zoo Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular

Thousands of illuminated pumpkins turn the Minnesota Zoo into a nighttime October destination.

This is a separate-ticket evening experience rather than ordinary daytime zoo admission.

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, with timed entry. Select entry products and add-ons were already showing limited availability or sold-out status during the final verification.

Where: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124.

Admission: Separate timed ticket required. Prices depend on date, time and ticket category.

Reservations: Required online. Tickets are valid only for the selected date and time and are nontransferable and nonrefundable under the Zoo's published policy.

Parking: Event parking is separately managed through the Zoo's ticket system. Verify whether parking is included in the ticket product purchased.

Age and family fit: Broad family audience. The emphasis is spectacle rather than a traditional haunted-house scare experience.

Accessibility: The Zoo provides accessible parking and mobility services. The Treetop Trail and other portions of the campus have ADA-compliant access points, but this is still a walking-intensive evening attraction.

Weather: Outdoor nighttime experience. Dress for temperatures after sunset rather than the afternoon high.

Capacity: Advance booking is strongly recommended. Some add-ons were already listed as sold out during the final check.

Information: Minnesota Zoo, 952-431-9200.

Sever's Fall Festival

Sever's is not a pumpkin stand with a few children's games added.

It is a large-scale fall attraction where most families should expect to spend three or four hours.

Its corn maze is central to the identity of the festival, but admission also includes more than 30 attractions, among them corn pits, jumping pillows, an obstacle course, straw-bale maze, tire mountain, zip lines, pig races, petting zoo, kiddie train, playgrounds, antique tractors, fire trucks and scheduled entertainment.

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Sever's Festival Grounds, 3121 150th Street West, Shakopee, MN 55379.

Admission: $19 general admission.

Children: Ages 3 and younger are free and do not need an admission ticket.

Ticket value: The 2026 general-admission ticket is valid for unlimited visits throughout the season rather than a single visit.

Included: More than 30 attractions and scheduled entertainment.

Extra-cost experiences: Certain premium activities remain separate purchases, including options such as pony rides, pumpkin blasters, giant slide, hayrides, pumpkins, face painting and food.

Age and family fit: Excellent for children, families and groups. The breadth of activities makes it better treated as the day's principal destination.

Accessibility: Grounds are primarily grassy and relatively flat. Maze paths are approximately six to eight feet wide. Strollers are permitted, and the festival provides an ADA-accessible restroom and baby-changing station.

Pets: Pets and emotional-support animals are not permitted. Service animals are allowed.

Food policy: Outside food, beverages and coolers are not permitted. Water may be brought into the grounds.

Parking: On-site festival parking.

Weather: Outdoor farm/festival environment.

Information: Sever's Festivals, 952-270-6293.

Afton Apple Orchard Apple Festival

Afton Apple Orchard turns apple season into a weekend festival rather than limiting the visit to picking fruit.

Magic shows, music and yard games join a 15-acre corn maze, apple picking and the beginning of pumpkin season.

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Afton Apple Orchard, 14421 90th Street South, Hastings, MN 55033.

Admission: $7 according to the current Apple Festival listing. Produce, food and other purchases are additional.

Age and family fit: Family-oriented.

Corn maze: Approximately 15 acres.

Pumpkins: Pumpkin season has begun, with carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, mini pumpkins, gourds and squash among the fall offerings.

Food: The orchard's Café ala Apple sells cider, donuts, fritters, cider brats and other seasonal food.

Accessibility: Orchard and corn-maze terrain includes natural agricultural surfaces. Contact the orchard before traveling if mobility over uneven ground is a concern.

Weather: Outdoor destination with some indoor retail space.

Information: Afton Apple Orchard.

Dehn's Pumpkins

Dehn's in Dayton is one of the weekend's most useful options for families who want a traditional pumpkin-patch experience without paying premium-festival admission.

The weekend wristband covers the corn maze, corn pit, gunny-sack slide, inflatable jumpers, giant inflatable slides, bale mountain and a hayride when weather permits.

When: Friday from noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Dehn's Pumpkins, 17270 125th Avenue North, Dayton, MN.

Weekend admission: $15 for children ages 17 and younger; $12 for adults ages 18 and older.

Children: Kids 36 inches and shorter are free with an adult wristband.

Parking: Free.

Pumpkins: 40 cents per pound unless otherwise marked.

Extra-cost activities: Children's train $5; pony rides $6; gourd slinger $4 per bucket; air cannon $1 per shot.

Accessibility: Handicap-accessible facilities are available. Farm surfaces still warrant advance discussion for visitors with significant mobility needs.

Weather: Hayrides and some attractions are weather permitting.

Information: Kyle Dehn, 612-387-7866; Bruce Dehn, 763-742-3550.

Anoka County Farms Fall Pumpkin Festival

Ham Lake gives North Metro families another substantial pumpkin destination without requiring a trip across the metro.

Anoka County Farms combines a pumpkin patch with hayrides and individually priced children's activities.

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Anoka County Farms, 125 Bunker Lake Boulevard NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304.

Admission: $5 cash per person at the gate.

Included: Hayride.

Additional activities: Generally $2 to $5 each, including barrel train, pumpkin painting, inflatable slide, jumping castle and other activities.

Payment: Cash only according to the farm's current visitor information. Do not arrive assuming cards will be accepted.

Age and family fit: Families with younger and school-age children.

Weather: Activities are weather permitting and subject to change.

Parking: Farm parking.

Accessibility: Farm terrain. Contact organizers if mobility across grass or agricultural surfaces is a concern.

Information: Anoka County Farms, 763-427-0000.

Eveland Family Farm

Eveland offers a quieter kind of fall farm experience in Andover.

The attraction is as much about meeting the animals as buying a pumpkin. Donkeys, miniature horses, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats and pot-bellied pigs are among the animals families may encounter during the self-guided farm visit.

When: Friday from 3 to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Eveland Family Farm, 2575 Andover Boulevard, Andover, MN 55304.

Admission: $6 per person.

Included: Hayride, animal visits and self-guided farm tour.

Age and family fit: Particularly well suited to families with younger children who want animals and pumpkins without the scale of a major commercial fall festival.

Accessibility: Working-farm surfaces. Contact the farm for individual mobility questions.

Weather: Outdoor farm experience.

Information: Eveland Family Farm. Current county information lists 612-325-5137 for the farm.

Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm

Joyer Adventure Farm combines the history of a working Lino Lakes farm with a modern family attraction spread across more than 20 acres.

The barnyard alone can take families roughly an hour, with sheep, chickens, donkeys, alpacas, horses, peacocks, pygmy goats, pigs and other animals. Fall adds the corn maze, pumpkins and other seasonal experiences.

When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: Waldoch Farm & Garden Center, 8174 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, MN 55014.

Admission: Online pricing begins around $16.99 plus tax, with gate admission higher. Current weekend listings place general admission around the $20 range. Buy online for the better rate and to secure the preferred arrival period.

Age: Everyone age 2 and older requires admission.

Parking: Free.

Age and family fit: Strong for families with children who want animals and active play in addition to a corn maze.

Accessibility: Farm terrain varies. Contact Waldoch Farm regarding mobility needs.

Weather: Primarily outdoor.

Information: Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm.

Pinehaven Farm

Pinehaven is large enough that calling it a pumpkin patch understates what happens after visitors pass through the gate.

The Wyoming farm offers more than 30 attractions, including trolley rides, slides, corn pits, photo installations, animal experiences and a trip to the pumpkin patch. Many visitors spend three to six hours on the property.

When: Saturday and Sunday. The farm's weekend operating schedule runs through its fall season; ticket buyers should use the time attached to their online admission.

Where: Pinehaven Farm, 28186 Kettle River Boulevard N., Wyoming, MN 55092.

Admission: Timed general-admission ticket required to guarantee entry. Prices vary by date and entry window.

Children: Ages 2 and younger are free.

Reservations: Strongly recommended in advance. Pinehaven says at-the-door inventory is extremely limited, and once a date/time sells out online, additional gate tickets will not be released.

Included: More than 30 attractions and fall/Halloween photo opportunities.

Not included: Apple Blasters, Gem Mining, Corn Cannon Shooters and Paintball Arcade. Food, retail merchandise and pumpkins also cost extra.

Parking: Free, although Pinehaven encourages carpooling because parking is limited.

Accessibility: Main paths consist of crushed rock and grass. Accessible portable restrooms and designated parking are available. The farm specifically advises that larger wheels work better for wheelchairs and walkers.

Pets: Dogs are not permitted. Service dogs are allowed under the farm's policy.

Outside food: Not permitted, although water bottles are allowed.

Weather: Outdoor farm attraction.

Information: Pinehaven Farm, 651-462-1704.

Great Pumpkin Trail at Pinehaven Farm

After dark, Pinehaven becomes a different experience.

More than 10,000 illuminated jack-o'-lanterns form a walking trail through the property, with themed displays and photo opportunities.

When: Saturday and Sunday evening, with additional dates later in October.

Where: Pinehaven Farm, 28186 Kettle River Boulevard N., Wyoming, MN 55092.

Admission: Separate ticket required. Current 2026 listings place tickets approximately between $16 and $26 depending on date and ticket option.

Important: Pinehaven daytime admission does not include the Great Pumpkin Trail.

Age and family fit: All ages. The experience is designed around illuminated pumpkins and atmosphere rather than an intense haunted-house scare.

Accessibility: Outdoor walking trail. Visitors with mobility needs should discuss trail conditions with Pinehaven before purchasing.

Weather: Outdoor nighttime attraction.

Information: Pinehaven Farm.

MINNEAPOLIMEDIA EDITOR'S PICKS

Best major public spectacle

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

The race physically connects Minneapolis and Saint Paul and changes the rhythm of both cities for much of Sunday morning.

Best free North Metro family day

Blaine Oktoberfest.

A family can arrive at noon, hear live music, use children's activities, visit the craft fair and remain through the evening without paying admission or parking.

Best Brooklyn Park family outing

Brooklyn Park Fire Department Open House.

The vehicles will attract children. The fire-safety demonstrations give the afternoon lasting value.

Best inexpensive discovery

Minnesota Mineral Club Rock, Mineral & Gem Show.

Five dollars for adults and free admission for children 12 and younger makes this unusually affordable for a substantial indoor event.

Best free arts outing

Walker Free First Saturday.

Registration matters, so do not interpret "free" as "capacity does not matter."

Best unusual fall experience

Glass Pumpkin Patch.

October pumpkins made from molten glass rather than grown in a field are difficult to confuse with anything else on the calendar.

Best traditional fall day

Apple & Pumpkin Harvest Day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

The combination of orchard science, pumpkins, tastings, cooking, music and pollinator programming makes this more than a photo opportunity.

Best North Metro Sunday

Great Pumpkin Expo in Anoka.

Free, easy to understand and unmistakably October.

Best day for sports fans

Sunday.

Watch the marathon in the morning and Vikings-Dolphins in the afternoon.

Just do not assume the transportation between the two will take an ordinary Sunday amount of time.

BUILDING A WEEKEND THAT ACTUALLY WORKS

North Metro Saturday

Begin at the Fix-It Clinic at Bunker Hills Activity Center at 10 a.m.

Move to Blaine Oktoberfest around noon.

Stay for children's activities and Anti-Skip Protection, or remain through GB Leighton at 5:30 p.m.

This itinerary works because the geography is reasonable.

Trying to add Shakopee or Stillwater would turn it into a driving itinerary with occasional events attached.

Brooklyn Park Saturday

Begin at the Fire Department Open House at 11 a.m.

Families can move afterward to the Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Maze.

Adults more interested in food and beverage tastings can substitute Brooklyn Park Rotary Oktoberfest from 2 to 5 p.m.

Saint Paul Saturday

Start with KidsJam at Landmark Center or the Mineral Club show at the State Fairgrounds.

Use the afternoon for science programming or Midway Music and Arts Fest.

Finish with They Might Be Giants at the Fitzgerald or another ticketed evening performance.

Minneapolis Saturday

Start at Mill City Farmers Market.

Move to Walker Free First Saturday.

Choose the Gophers game only if football is intended to dominate the middle of the day. Do not casually add a stadium event to an already crowded itinerary.

Finish with the Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater or another evening performance.

South and Southwest Metro Saturday

Choose the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum or Shakopee as the principal destination.

At the Arboretum, Apple & Pumpkin Harvest Day and the Auxiliary Harvest Sale can occupy several hours without leaving the property.

In Shakopee, the Food Truck Festival and Shak-O-Lantern are intentionally easy to combine.

Sunday sports itinerary

Watch the marathon from a Minneapolis location early.

Eat lunch away from the most congested course areas.

Use transit toward U.S. Bank Stadium for Vikings-Dolphins.

This is possible.

Attempting to park directly beside both events is a less promising strategy.

Sunday arts itinerary

Visit Mia after the morning marathon congestion begins to ease.

Explore Paris Couture.

Move to Saint Paul later for Oysterfest or Journey, depending on appetite and musical taste.

WEEKEND BY BUDGET

Free or primarily free

Robbinsdale Boo Bash

First Friday at F-O-K Studios

Blaine Oktoberfest

Blaine Fall Craft Fair

Coon Rapids / Anoka County Fix-It Clinic

Brooklyn Park Fire Department Open House

Tails on the Trails

Shoreview Touch-a-Truck

Walker Free First Saturday

50th & France Fall Fest

Shakopee Food Truck Festival entry

Shak-O-Lantern

Great Pumpkin Expo

Glass Pumpkin Patch demonstrations

Minnesota Children's Museum First Free Sunday, with required ticket

Marathon spectating

Farmers markets to browse

Rivertown Fall Art Festival

"Free admission" does not include food, alcohol, merchandise, optional activities, transportation or parking unless an organizer explicitly says otherwise.

Under $10

Minnesota Mineral Club Rock, Mineral & Gem Show: $5 for adults; children 12 and younger free.

Anoka County Farms: $5 per person, cash only, with hayride included.

Eveland Family Farm: $6 per person, including hayride, animal visits and self-guided farm tour.

Afton Apple Orchard Apple Festival: $7 under the current event listing.

Anoka County Fairgrounds Fall Festival: $10 adults; $5 children ages 5 through 12; free for children 4 and younger.

Approximately $10 to $25

Dehn's Pumpkins weekend admission: $12 adults and $15 children 17 and younger, with children 36 inches and under free with an adult wristband.

Pumpkin Archery: $12.

Joyer Adventure Farm: online tickets beginning around $16.99 plus tax, with gate prices higher.

Sever's Fall Festival: $19 general admission, valid for unlimited visits during the 2026 season.

Hounds of Finn: $20 advance, with youth 18 and younger free.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum general admission for nonmembers falls in this general range, with children 15 and younger free.

Higher-cost outings

Major theater productions, professional and college sports, arena concerts, premium fall attractions, special museum events and amusement parks can quickly move a family beyond the $100 mark once tickets, food and parking are included.

Calculate the entire outing, not merely the advertised ticket.

ACCESSIBILITY DESK

Accessibility is not one checkbox.

The Glass Pumpkin Patch offers an ASL interpreter Saturday and invites visitors to contact Foci about additional accommodations.

Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota Children's Museum, RiverCentre, Science Museum of Minnesota, Orchestra Hall and major stadiums maintain established accessibility services.

Heart of the City Music Factory in Anoka deserves a specific warning: the performance venue is on the second floor of the Old Milk Factory and does not have an elevator.

Pinehaven Farm also deserves specificity. Its principal paths are crushed rock and grass, and the farm itself advises that wheelchairs and walkers with larger wheels perform better.

Sever's describes its grounds as primarily grassy and flat, with six-to-eight-foot-wide maze paths, stroller access and an ADA-accessible restroom.

The greatest uncertainty remains at farms, corn mazes, orchards and temporary outdoor festivals.

Grass may be dry and firm at noon and difficult after moisture. Cornfield paths may be wide enough for one mobility device and uncomfortable for another. A venue can have an accessible restroom without every part of its attraction being equally accessible.

When terrain matters, call.

Do not rely solely on a generic accessibility symbol.

FAMILY AND AGE DESK

Very young children

Strong choices include Shoreview Touch-a-Truck, Brooklyn Park Fire Department Open House, Blaine Oktoberfest during daytime hours, Walker Free First Saturday, Shak-O-Lantern and the Marathon Family Events.

For a farm experience, Eveland Family Farm and Anoka County Farms offer comparatively simple, lower-cost alternatives to the larger destination festivals.

School-age children

Consider Pumpkin Archery, Minnesota Mineral Club, Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Maze, Glass Pumpkin Patch, Anoka County Fairgrounds Fall Festival, Sever's, Dehn's Pumpkins and Apple & Pumpkin Harvest Day.

Teenagers

Sports, Glass Pumpkin Patch, Pinehaven, Sever's, larger corn mazes, concerts and the weekend's theater calendar provide more choices than the preschool-centered events.

Dogs

Tails on the Trails is specifically designed for dogs and families.

Do not assume every fall festival welcomes pets. Pinehaven, for example, does not allow dogs other than qualifying service animals.

Halloween without scares

Robbinsdale Boo Bash, New Hope Trick or Trot, Shak-O-Lantern and the Great Pumpkin Trail are among the gentler options.

Parents should distinguish those from haunted houses, scare attractions and evening Halloween programming aimed at older visitors.

PARKING AND TRANSIT INTELLIGENCE

Sunday is the difficult day

The marathon begins at 8 a.m.

Vikings-Dolphins begins at 3:05 p.m.

Those events do not happen in the same place, but they affect the same central-city transportation system.

Road closures associated with the marathon will alter routes across Minneapolis and Saint Paul before football traffic begins concentrating around Downtown East.

Do not rely on habit.

Check the marathon course.

Check stadium transportation information.

Use transit where practical.

Saturday at the University of Minnesota

Michigan at Minnesota begins at 11 a.m.

That means tailgating, parking demand and traffic begin much earlier.

Anyone attending another event near the University should account for football traffic even if they never enter Huntington Bank Stadium.

Stillwater

The Rivertown Fall Art Festival attracts thousands of visitors.

Downtown Stillwater already has constrained parking on busy weekends.

Arrive early or accept a longer walk.

Farms and orchards

Parking may be on grass or temporary surfaces.

Visitors with mobility concerns should ask where accessible parking is located and what surface lies between the vehicle and the attraction.

IF THE WEATHER CHANGES

The forecast is favorable.

Minnesota remains Minnesota.

Strong indoor alternatives include:

Minnesota Mineral Club Rock, Mineral & Gem Show

Walker Art Center

Science Museum of Minnesota

Minnesota Children's Museum

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minnesota Orchestra

Guthrie Theater

Children's Theatre Company

Glass Pumpkin Patch

Auxiliary Harvest Sale

Landmark Center programming

Do not abandon the weekend because one outdoor plan changes.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

Check the event again.

Check whether tickets remain.

Check whether "free" requires registration.

Check whether children are actually allowed.

Check whether the venue permits your bag.

Check whether your mobility device can reasonably handle the terrain.

Check whether the dog is welcome.

Check whether the venue accepts cards. Anoka County Farms, for example, currently specifies cash-only admission and activity purchases.

Check whether daytime admission covers the nighttime attraction. At Pinehaven, it does not cover the Great Pumpkin Trail.

Check the marathon map Sunday.

Check the Gophers traffic Saturday.

Check U.S. Bank Stadium's bag policy before Vikings-Dolphins.

Bring layers.

Bring patience.

And do not schedule three major attractions on opposite sides of the metropolitan area simply because all three appear in the same directory.

THE WEEKEND TAKEAWAY

October's first weekend demonstrates why an exhaustive Twin Cities directory cannot simply become a list of whatever happens to be happening in Minneapolis.

The biggest events matter.

Thousands of runners will travel from Minneapolis to Saint Paul. Michigan and Minnesota will play for the Little Brown Jug. The Vikings will fill U.S. Bank Stadium a day later. Orchestra Hall, the Guthrie, Mia and the Fitzgerald will draw audiences for music, theater, fashion and concerts.

But the weekend is not built only by institutions with large marquees.

It is also built by the volunteer who knows how to repair a stranger's lamp in Andover.

It is built by the Brooklyn Park firefighter showing a child why residential sprinklers matter.

It is built by the artist in Minneapolis turning molten glass into a pumpkin while someone watches the process for the first time.

It is built by the apple researcher in Chaska explaining why Honeycrisp exists.

It is built by a family walking through a corn maze in Brooklyn Park, a child climbing into a snowplow in Shoreview, a dog meeting another dog in New Brighton and a collector explaining to a curious 8-year-old why a rock that looks ordinary on one side becomes extraordinary when it is cut open.

It is also built farther north than many weekend roundups bother to look.

A family in Andover can spend six dollars at Eveland Family Farm rather than crossing the metro for a major commercial attraction.

A family in Ham Lake can pay five dollars to enter Anoka County Farms and take a hayride.

Dayton has Dehn's Pumpkins, where the weekend wristband buys a traditional combination of corn maze, hayride, inflatables and farm play.

Lino Lakes has Joyer Adventure Farm.

Wyoming has Pinehaven, where a daytime farm visit and the nighttime Great Pumpkin Trail are substantial enough to be treated as separate experiences.

Anoka will put giant pumpkins downtown because October means something particular there.

Blaine will spend most of Saturday making a city park into a free community festival.

Stillwater will line the St. Croix with art.

Shakopee will bring more than 30 food trucks to one place and then invite children to arrive in costume.

Saint Paul will move from children's music to minerals, neighborhood arts, oysters, a marathon and arena rock.

Minneapolis will move from farmers markets to college football, contemporary art, theater, couture and professional football within roughly 48 hours.

No family needs all of it.

That is not the point.

The purpose of an exhaustive directory is not to convince readers to spend the weekend racing from one event to another.

It is to make enough of the region visible that people can find the weekend that fits them.

A family in Coon Rapids should not have to drive into Minneapolis because nobody bothered to look north.

A Brooklyn Park resident should know what is happening in Brooklyn Park.

Someone with $20 should be able to find a real afternoon, not merely discover that the interesting events cost $75.

A wheelchair user deserves more useful information than the word "accessible."

A parent should know whether a Halloween event means pumpkins and candy or deliberate scares.

A person planning to drive through Saint Paul Sunday should know that thousands of runners will have temporary possession of many of the streets.

And a Vikings fan should know that the city's transportation story began hours before the stadium doors opened.

That is what This Weekend in the Twin Cities™ is supposed to do.

Choose what fits your people.

Check the organizer one final time.

Wear sensible shoes.

Give yourself more travel time than you think you need.

Then stop looking at the calendar and enjoy where you decided to go.

#This Weekend in the Twin Cities™

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