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10-24-2026 2:21am
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA PRESENTS | This Weekend in the Twin Cities™: Saturday–Sunday Update, October 24–25, 2026
Tom Akaolisa
Editor
Forty-six outings across Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the surrounding communities, from Anoka’s Halloween parade and neighborhood celebrations to theater, live music, markets and Sunday’s professional sports doubleheader.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN | October 24, 2026
Welcome to the Weekend!
Saturday has arrived, and there is still plenty of weekend left.
Anoka is preparing for its Grande Day Parade. Printmaking supplies await visitors at Highpoint. Hmong artists and performers are gathering at Mall of America. Saint Paul’s riverfront offers an afternoon of exploration, while theaters and music venues give the evening several possible soundtracks.
Sunday brings another round of choices, including BOOnion Depot, skating in Coon Rapids, a Cantus concert in Stillwater, and home games for both the Vikings and Timberwolves.
This Saturday edition of This Weekend in the Twin Cities™ updates our original Friday guide. Friday-only activities have been removed, and the listings below focus on October 24 and 25.
An important schedule change: The Minnesota Orchestra has announced that Ben Folds’ October 24 concert at Orchestra Hall is postponed because of illness. It is therefore excluded from this edition’s active event listings. Ticket holders should consult the orchestra for further instructions.
All times below are Central Daylight Time. Ticket availability can change after this guide is checked. Use the official links before purchasing tickets or leaving home.
Weekend Weather and Travel Advisory
Saturday’s Minneapolis forecast calls for unusually warm conditions, with a high near 74 degrees, morning breezes and increasing clouds. A couple of showers are possible late in the afternoon. Sunday looks considerably cooler, with a high near 51 degrees, cloudy skies and a passing shower. Bring an extra layer if your plans stretch from Saturday afternoon into the evening, and dress more warmly for Sunday’s outdoor activities.
Allow additional travel time around downtown Anoka during Saturday’s parade. On Sunday, the Vikings’ noon kickoff and the Timberwolves’ 6 p.m. game make advance transportation planning useful for downtown Minneapolis.
Before departure, check Minnesota 511 for road conditions and construction, and Metro Transit for your route and service notices. An event ticket does not automatically include a transit pass.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Five Experiences Worth Building a Day Around
Anoka Grande Day Parade | Saturday, 1–3:30 p.m.
A community tradition with a substantial downtown route and plenty of reasons to arrive early. See listing 1.
Free Ink Day | Saturday, noon–4 p.m.
Highpoint’s teaching artists make printmaking approachable, with materials provided and no registration required. See listing 10.
Fall Play Day at the Future Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdóte | Saturday, 1–3:30 p.m.
An opportunity to explore the riverfront and learn about a major public project through walks, activities and design presentations. See listing 16.
Hmong Arts Celebration | Saturday, noon–5 p.m.
Performances, fashion, music and storytelling connect generations at Mall of America. See listing 23.
BOOnion Depot | Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
A free indoor Halloween gathering that offers families a useful option on a cooler Sunday. See listing 30.
These selections appear in the numbered directory below and are not additional events.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
NORTH METRO AND NORTHWEST SUBURBS
1. Anoka Grande Day Parade | Anoka
When: 1–3:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Anoka. The route begins at State Street and West Main Street, follows Main Street, then turns onto Fifth Avenue toward South Street/Military Road.
Admission: Free.
Anoka’s Halloween celebrations take over downtown with a parade following an approximately 1.5-mile route. Choose a viewing location with your group’s walking distance and departure plans in mind, particularly if you are bringing young children or someone who needs seating.
The organizer permits chairs and blankets along the route beginning at 4 a.m. on parade day. Items placed earlier may be removed. Keep intersections, sidewalks and access points clear.
Organizer and details: Anoka Halloween: Grande Day Parade.
2. Anoka Halloween Ambassador Coronation | Anoka
When: 6–8 p.m.
Where: Anoka High School, 3939 Seventh Avenue, Anoka.
Admission: $10.
The evening coronation introduces Anoka Halloween’s 2027 ambassadors, extending the day’s celebration beyond the parade route. The program includes the crowning ceremony, with opportunities for photographs and refreshments.
This is a separate indoor event with its own admission charge. Families planning to attend both the parade and coronation should leave time between activities for a meal and travel to the high school.
Contact: royalty@anokahalloween.com.
Details: Anoka Halloween: Coronation.
3. Halloween House-Decorating Displays | Anoka
When: Saturday, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Participating residential addresses listed by Anoka Halloween.
Admission: Free.
Anoka’s house-decorating contest offers an evening outing after the parade, with participating properties featuring different approaches to Halloween decoration.
Consult the organizer’s current address list before planning your route. Displays carry audience ratings, including options intended for general audiences and others with stronger scare content. Those distinctions matter when children are choosing the evening’s stops.
View displays from permitted public areas, respect residents’ property and avoid blocking driveways. This weekend’s listed viewing night is Saturday, not Sunday.
Route and ratings: Anoka Halloween: House Decorating Contest.
4. Halloween Trick-or-Treat at Village of Blaine | Blaine
When: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; participating Cub activities continue until 2 p.m.
Where: Village of Blaine, 4335 Pheasant Ridge Drive NE, Blaine.
Admission: No admission charge is specified in the event notice; purchases are separate.
Participating businesses welcome costumed visitors for a daytime Halloween outing that combines trick-or-treating with activities around the shopping center.
The announced program includes a DJ, first responders, indoor activities at Dojo, and pumpkin painting and cookie decorating at Cub. Caribou’s participation includes coffee and hot chocolate. Individual offerings depend on supplies and participating businesses.
Check the organizer’s instructions for activity locations, particularly if afternoon showers affect outdoor plans.
Details: Village of Blaine Halloween event.
5. Brooklyn Park Spooktacular | Brooklyn Park
When: 2–5 p.m.
Where: Zanewood Recreation Center, 7150 Zane Avenue N, Brooklyn Park.
Admission: Free; no registration required.
An outdoor Halloween trail and inflatables anchor this afternoon gathering at Zanewood. Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County is also scheduled to participate with a resource table, adding an opportunity to learn about available community services.
Food from Eggroll Queen is available for purchase. Families should distinguish the free event admission from optional food spending and dress for outdoor activities.
The afternoon timing makes this a possible second stop after a morning market or shopping-center trick-or-treat outing.
Details: Brooklyn Park 2026 Spooktacular.
6. Truck or Treat | Columbia Heights
When: 1–4 p.m.
Where: Huset Park East, 3965 Jefferson Street NE, Columbia Heights.
Admission: Consult the city’s event information for any activity charges; food purchases are separate.
Vehicles, candy, face painting and other activities give this gathering its Halloween character. The published schedule includes puppet performances at 1:30 and 3 p.m., with a pet costume activity at 2:30 p.m.
Visitors can also contribute requested supplies for Alexandra House. Check the city’s current donation list before bringing items.
The mix of scheduled performances and ongoing activities rewards a little advance planning, especially for families hoping to catch the puppet program.
Contact: 763-706-3614; wrottler@columbiaheightsmn.gov.
Details: Columbia Heights: Truck or Treat.
7. Cooper Art and Craft Fair | New Hope
When: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Robbinsdale Cooper High School, 8230 47th Avenue N, New Hope.
Admission: Check the organizer’s information for admission arrangements.
The annual fair brings handmade work into the high school for a day of browsing and shopping. The 2026 event is advertised as the 53rd annual Cooper Craft Fair, offering an early opportunity to consider seasonal gifts and meet participating makers.
The fair’s focus on handmade products distinguishes it from a general retail shopping trip. Bring time to look closely and speak with exhibitors about their work.
Details: Cooper Art and Craft Fair. The school’s published address confirms the New Hope location.
MINNEAPOLIS
8. Early Birders | Theodore Wirth Park
When: 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Meeting place: Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden parking lot, 1 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis.
Registration: Not required.
A park naturalist leads this morning walk through Theodore Wirth Park, helping participants identify birds by sight and sound. The program offers a quieter start to a weekend otherwise crowded with Halloween festivities.
Bring binoculars if you have them, wear shoes suitable for trails and dress for the morning breeze. Bird activity and conditions determine what participants encounter, so approach the walk as an opportunity to observe rather than a guaranteed checklist.
Details: Minneapolis Parks: Early Birders.
9. Halloween Costume Swap | Graco Park
When: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Graco Park, 810 Sibley Street NE, Minneapolis.
Admission: Free; no registration required.
Give a costume another season of use at this all-ages exchange. The program also includes creative activities involving masks, wands and art, making it more than a quick clothing stop.
Available costumes depend on what participants contribute, so a particular character or size cannot be guaranteed. Unclaimed items are designated for St. Anne’s Place.
Venue contact: 612-546-3419; fdgraco@minneapolisparks.org.
Details: Minneapolis Parks: Halloween Costume Swap.
10. Free Ink Day | Highpoint Center for Printmaking
When: Noon–4 p.m.
Where: 912 West Lake Street, Minneapolis.
Admission: Free; no registration required.
Highpoint invites visitors of all ages to explore printmaking through hands-on activities guided by teaching artists. Beginners are welcome, and participants can experiment with the process before taking home their own printed artwork.
Highpoint supplies the materials while quantities last and uses nontoxic materials for the event. The drop-in format allows families and individuals to fit a creative stop into a larger Saturday itinerary.
Wear something you are comfortable making art in.
Contact: 612-278-4162; jo@highpointprintmaking.org.
Details: Highpoint: Free Ink Day.
11. How Do You Like Them Apples? | J.D. Rivers’ Children’s Garden
When: Noon–2 p.m.
Where: J.D. Rivers’ Children’s Garden, 2900 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis.
Admission: No fee is specified in the event listing.
Storytelling, art and apple pressing connect this gathering to the garden’s seasonal rhythms. The announced activities also include opportunities to learn about the garden’s history, with Black to Nature participating.
This is an outdoor garden outing, so wear footwear appropriate for the ground and check conditions before departure. Visitors who need information about terrain or accommodations should contact Minneapolis Parks in advance.
Park information: 612-230-6400 during customer-service hours.
Details: How Do You Like Them Apples?.
12. Mill City Farmers Market | Downtown East
When: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 750 South Second Street, Minneapolis.
Admission: Free to browse; purchases extra.
October’s later opening time gives shoppers a little more morning before heading to the riverfront market. Local food producers and makers offer a practical reason to bring a shopping bag and think beyond a single weekend meal.
The outdoor market continues through October, with indoor markets beginning in November. Saturday’s early hours also provide an opportunity to shop before the forecast’s possible late-afternoon showers.
Official information: Mill City Farmers Market.
13. Midtown Farmers Market | South Minneapolis
When: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 2225 East Lake Street, Minneapolis.
Admission: Free to browse; purchases extra.
Midtown’s Saturday market continues its 2026 season through October 31. The market operates rain or shine and offers a neighborhood setting for buying food directly from participating vendors.
SNAP shopping is available through the market’s food-access arrangements. Ask market staff about current procedures and eligible purchases.
A morning visit can be paired with another Minneapolis activity, but leave room in your plans to take perishable groceries home.
Contact: info@corcoranmpls.org.
Details: Corcoran Neighborhood Organization: Midtown Farmers Market.
14. Sylvan Esso | First Avenue
When: Doors at 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.
Where: First Avenue, 701 First Avenue N, Minneapolis.
Admission: Ticketed; consult the official seller for current prices and availability. Ages 18 and older.
Sylvan Esso’s Saturday performance gives downtown Minneapolis an evening option for listeners seeking a concert after the day’s markets and outdoor celebrations.
Use the official ticketing page and check the age restriction before making group plans. A purchase link does not establish that every ticket category remains available.
Allow time for venue entry and have the identification and mobile ticket required for admission ready before reaching the door.
Tickets and details: Sylvan Esso at First Avenue.
15. Bazaar Bizarre | Strange Loop Laboratory
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Strange Loop Laboratory, 1629 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 100, Minneapolis.
Admission: $45. Recommended for ages 16 and older.
This approximately hour-long immersive dance-theater production unfolds throughout the venue. Performers and characters surround the audience, creating an experience without a conventional stage or fourth wall.
That format makes advance questions about seating, movement and accommodations especially useful for anyone with mobility or sensory needs. Tickets are nonrefundable, although the organizer allows transfers to another guest.
Contact: 612-567-0888.
Tickets: Strange Loop Projects: Bazaar Bizarre.
SAINT PAUL
16. Fall Play Day at the Future Mississippi River Learning Center at Bdóte | Crosby Farm Regional Park
When: 1–3:30 p.m.
Where: Watergate Marina at Crosby Farm Regional Park, Saint Paul. Follow the organizer’s arrival directions.
Admission: Free; all ages welcome. Registration information is available online.
Explore the future riverfront learning-center site through guided and self-guided walks, hands-on activities, public art and opportunities to learn about local wildlife.
The city says design-team members will give two brief presentations about final design concepts and the project’s first phase. The event also introduces the river’s ecological and cultural significance, including its deep connections to Dakota communities.
The event is scheduled rain or shine.
Contact: 651-266-6367; liz.mcdonald@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Details and registration: Fall Play Day.
17. Safe Summer Nights Fall Festival | Arlington Hills
When: Noon–2 p.m.
Where: Arlington Hills Community Center, 1200 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul.
Admission: Confirm any activity or registration requirements with the recreation center.
Saint Paul’s fall calendar includes this two-hour neighborhood gathering at Arlington Hills. Its daytime schedule makes it an option for families looking for an East Side activity before evening plans.
The city’s calendar provides the date and time but limited program detail. Contact the center for the latest information about activities, weather arrangements and accommodations rather than assuming that features from previous years will return.
Contact: 651-632-3861; ArlingtonHills@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Details: Saint Paul Fall Activities and Events.
18. Booktoberfest for Grown-Ups | Minnesota State Fairgrounds
When: General admission, 1–6 p.m.; VIP entry begins at 11 a.m.; afternoon admission begins at 3 p.m.
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds Grandstand, Saint Paul.
Event-day prices: VIP $25; general admission $15; admission after 3 p.m. $10. Children 12 and younger enter free.
Bookstores, authors, publishers and makers gather for a substantial browsing day, with genres ranging from children’s books and cookbooks to fantasy, memoir and used or rare titles.
The organizer states that advance prices increase by $5 on event day. Free parking is listed in the Midway Lot. Food-truck and beverage areas do not require book-fair admission, although purchases cost extra.
Contact: 612-294-0375; needinfo@allinonbeer.com.
Tickets: Booktoberfest for Grown-Ups.
19. Lanterns & Legends | Historic Fort Snelling
When: Saturday evening; tours begin at 6 p.m., with individual departure times shown in the ticket calendar. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Where: 200 Tower Avenue, Saint Paul.
Admission: Ticketed; confirm the price and available departure before travel. Recommended for ages 12 and older.
Guides lead hour-long lantern-lit tours through lesser-known stories from Fort Snelling’s history. Costumed interpreters present accounts grounded in historical sources, giving the program a different character from a conventional haunted attraction.
A bonfire offers a place to warm up before or after the tour. Beverages are available for purchase.
Contact: 612-726-1171; ftsnelling@mnhs.org.
Details: Minnesota Historical Society: Lanterns & Legends.
20. Gilla Band with PISS | Turf Club
When: Doors at 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.
Where: Turf Club, 1601 University Avenue W, Saint Paul.
Admission: Ticketed; ages 21 and older.
Gilla Band and PISS share Saturday’s Turf Club bill, offering a club-show alternative to the weekend’s large public celebrations and theater performances.
Check the official listing for current prices, ticket delivery and entry policies. The age restriction applies to the event, so confirm everyone in your party is eligible before purchasing.
Allow time for arrival along the University Avenue corridor and keep your admission confirmation accessible on your phone.
Tickets and details: First Avenue presents Gilla Band.
21. Jeremy Messersmith: All Hallows’ Eve | Fitzgerald Theater
When: Doors at 7 p.m.; performance at 8 p.m.
Where: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 East Exchange Street, Saint Paul.
Admission: Ticketed; all ages.
Saturday offers another opportunity to attend Jeremy Messersmith’s All Hallows’ Eve performance at the Fitzgerald Theater. The Current presents the concert, and the official ticket page lists both standard ticketing and accessible-seating options.
This listing is for the October 24 performance, giving readers a Saturday option beyond the Friday concert included in the original weekend edition.
Check current ticket availability and request any required accommodations through the official seller.
Contact: 612-338-8388.
Tickets: Jeremy Messersmith at the Fitzgerald Theater.
22. Shadows & Spirits of the State Capitol | Minnesota State Capitol
When: Saturday departures listed at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m.; select an available departure when booking.
Where: 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Saint Paul.
Admission: Ticketed; consult the current booking page for prices.
The Capitol’s original early-1900s lighting sets the atmosphere for guided tours through its rotunda, corridors and chambers. Historical storytelling gives visitors an evening perspective on a building usually associated with daytime government business.
Tours last approximately an hour. Confirm your specific departure and arrival instructions rather than treating the entire evening as an open drop-in period.
Contact: 651-296-2881; statecapitol@mnhs.org.
Details: Minnesota Historical Society: Shadows & Spirits.
SOUTH METRO AND REGIONAL OUTINGS
23. Hmong Arts Celebration | Bloomington
When: Noon–5 p.m.
Where: Huntington Bank Rotunda, Mall of America, Bloomington.
Admission: No ticket charge is stated in the venue’s event announcement.
The Hmong Arts Celebration returns for its second year, bringing live performances, traditional fashion, music and storytelling into the mall’s public gathering space.
The program connects older and younger generations through cultural expression and gives visitors an opportunity to encounter artists and community members sharing Hmong heritage.
The indoor setting provides a useful weather-independent option. Check the mall’s directions for the rotunda and allow time to move through the building.
Details: Mall of America: Hmong Arts Celebration.
24. Halloween Jamboree | Chaska
When: 4–6 p.m.
Where: Chaska Community Center, 1661 Park Ridge Drive, Chaska.
Admission: General activities are free; the haunted house has a separate fee.
Chaska’s afternoon jamboree combines Halloween games, crafts and a DJ with a haunted-house option. The separate charge for the haunted house allows families to choose whether to include that attraction.
Ask about the haunted house’s intensity before purchasing admission for a child who may be sensitive to scares. Costumes can add to the occasion, but practical footwear will make moving between activities easier.
Details: City of Chaska Halloween Jamboree information.
25. Spooky Family Fun | Shakopee
When: 4–7 p.m.
Where: Huber Park, 150 Fillmore Street N, Shakopee.
Admission: Free; no registration required. Food purchases are separate.
Games, activity booths, prizes, animals and candy make up this family-oriented Halloween gathering. Food trucks provide an optional meal stop during the three-hour event.
The outdoor setting means weather should be part of the plan. Saturday’s possible late-afternoon showers make a rain layer useful, and families should check city updates before departure.
The late-afternoon start leaves time for a morning market or daytime activity elsewhere in the region.
Details: Scott County community calendar.
26. Trick-or-Treat at Gammelgården Museum | Scandia
When: 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where: Gammelgården Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail N, Scandia.
Admission: Free.
Historic buildings provide the setting for a daytime trick-or-treat outing with candy and children’s crafts. The museum’s surroundings give the activity a different atmosphere from a shopping-center event or evening haunted attraction.
Dress for outdoor movement between buildings and contact the museum if your group needs information about paths or building access.
The scheduled activity ends at 12:30 p.m., making this an earlier outing for families planning another afternoon stop.
Contact: 651-433-5053.
Details: Gammelgården Museum event calendar.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
27. Spooky Skate | Coon Rapids
When: 6–7:30 p.m.
Where: Coon Rapids Ice Center, 11000 Crooked Lake Boulevard NW, Coon Rapids.
Public-skate admission: Adults $6; students and seniors $5; children 5 and younger free with a paid admission. Skate rental is $4.
Costumes and a Halloween-themed setting add a seasonal touch to Sunday’s public skating session. Choose clothing that permits safe movement on the ice and does not interfere with vision.
The center’s supervision rules apply: children 10 and younger require active adult supervision, and an adult must remain in the building for skaters ages 11 and older who require supervision under the facility’s rules.
Contact: 763-951-7222; coonrapidsicecenter@coonrapidsmn.gov.
Details: Skating events and public-skate information.
28. Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts | Minneapolis
When: Noon kickoff.
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, 401 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis.
Admission: Ticketed; current prices and availability vary.
Broadcast: CBS; radio on KFAN.
The Vikings’ home game provides Sunday’s first major professional sports outing in Minneapolis. Check the team and stadium’s current game-day instructions for entry, bags, accessibility and transportation.
Have mobile tickets prepared before joining an entrance line. Anyone planning another downtown activity afterward should allow time for the postgame movement of spectators.
This is a schedule listing, not a prediction of the result or a claim about the team’s record.
Official information: Minnesota Vikings schedule.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Toronto Raptors | Minneapolis
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Target Center, 600 First Avenue N, Minneapolis.
Admission: Ticketed; consult the official seller for current prices.
The Timberwolves host Toronto in Sunday’s evening game, giving downtown Minneapolis a second major sports gathering after the Vikings’ afternoon contest.
Target Center is cashless. Its published event information limits permitted bags to 5 by 9 inches, with exceptions for qualifying medical and diaper bags.
Review accessible-seating arrangements and entry requirements before arriving. Fans making a full day of downtown activities should account for travel between venues and the need to comply with each building’s policies.
Contact: 612-673-1300.
Tickets: Target Center: Timberwolves vs. Raptors.
30. BOOnion Depot | Saint Paul
When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Union Depot’s Waiting Room, Level 1, Saint Paul.
Admission: Free; parking is separate.
Union Depot’s Halloween gathering offers crafts, a DJ, prizes and opportunities to arrive in costume. The indoor setting makes this a practical family option during Sunday’s cooler forecast.
The organizer’s information includes a sponsored transit-pass opportunity. Obtain the designated pass and review its conditions before assuming your trip is covered.
Allow time to locate the Waiting Room and choose parking or transit based on your family’s needs.
Contact: 651-202-2700; info@uniondepot.org.
Details: Union Depot: BOOnion Depot.
31. American Aquarium with Kalyn Fay | Saint Paul
When: Doors at 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Turf Club, 1601 University Avenue W, Saint Paul.
Admission: Ticketed; ages 21 and older.
American Aquarium and Kalyn Fay provide a Sunday-night concert option for readers whose weekend does not end with the afternoon’s activities.
Purchase through the official ticketing service and confirm the current total before checkout. Mobile-ticket arrangements and the venue’s age restriction should be checked before traveling.
The published show time is 7:30 p.m., with doors opening an hour earlier for entry.
Tickets: American Aquarium at Turf Club.
32. Cantus: Simple Gifts | Stillwater, with a Saturday Minneapolis Option
Sunday: 2 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 Fourth Street N, Stillwater.
Saturday alternative: 7 p.m., Westminster Hall, Minneapolis.
Admission: Ticketed, with pay-what-you-can options.
Cantus combines personal stories of gratitude with music that includes “How Can I Keep From Singing” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” alongside works by composers including Jennifer Higdon and Bobby McFerrin.
The program runs approximately 90 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. At checking, Cantus marked Saturday’s performance as having limited availability and Sunday’s as having good availability. Those designations can change.
Contact: 612-435-0046; info@cantussings.org.
Tickets and venue information: Cantus: Simple Gifts.
33. Trick or Treat Geocaching | Cleary Lake Regional Park
When: 1–2:30 p.m.
Where: Cleary Lake Regional Park, 18106 Texas Avenue, Prior Lake.
Admission: $8 per person; equipment provided. Advance-registration deadline was October 23.
Three Rivers’ Outdoor Recreation School leads an all-ages geocaching activity built around hidden surprises and treats.
This listing is particularly useful for families already registered. Readers seeking a last-minute place should contact the park district before traveling; a scheduled program should not be treated as a walk-in opportunity after its registration deadline.
Dress for outdoor exploration and Sunday’s cooler weather.
Park contact: 763-694-7777.
Details: Three Rivers programs.
ENJOY EITHER DAY
34. Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze | Brooklyn Park
When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: 8901 101st Avenue N, Brooklyn Park.
Admission: $20; children shorter than 36 inches enter free.
The 2026 maze carries an America 250 theme, with a broader festival offering that includes inflatables, animals and corn-play attractions.
Plan enough time for the maze and the activities your group most wants to try. Outdoor conditions can affect paths and comfort, so bring suitable footwear and check the organizer’s weather notices.
Food and other optional purchases should be included separately in your budget.
Tickets and details: Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze.
35. Twin Cities Horror Festival XV | Northeast Minneapolis
When: Saturday performances begin at 1:30 p.m., with the final show starting at 10:30 p.m.; Sunday performances begin at 1:30 p.m., with the final show starting at 9 p.m.
Where: Crane Theater, 2303 Kennedy Street NE, Minneapolis.
Admission: Ticketed by performance; consult the festival’s ticketing page.
The festival’s fifteenth edition brings together different approaches to live horror, including theater and other performance forms.
Saturday’s schedule includes Manticore, MN, Augmentation and Lumbrada. Sunday includes Kalinga: Feast of the Fallen, Shed and Carmilla. Review individual descriptions and content information before selecting a show.
Direct festival questions to its organizers rather than the venue.
Schedule and tickets: Twin Cities Horror Festival.
36. Minneapolis Farmers Market | Near North Minneapolis
When: Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 312 East Lyndale Avenue N, Minneapolis.
Admission: Free to browse; purchases extra.
For early risers, the market offers a substantial shopping window before most weekend events begin. Its farmer-managed setting brings together produce and other locally made products.
Bring reusable bags and consider your storage plans if shopping is the first stop in a longer day. Vendor participation and available products vary, so leave room for seasonal discoveries.
The published 2026 weekend hours apply to both Saturday and Sunday.
Details: Minneapolis Farmers Market.
37. Minneapolis Institute of Art | Whittier
When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: 2400 Third Avenue S, Minneapolis.
Admission: Permanent collection free, with no reservation required. Special exhibitions have separate ticketing.
Mia offers a flexible indoor outing, whether your group has time for a few galleries or a longer visit. General admission covers the permanent collection, while special exhibitions require their own arrangements.
The museum provides accessible entrances and galleries, seating, and mobility equipment. Paid parking is available on site.
Visitors unable to afford special-exhibition tickets can ask about Mia’s access programs.
Contact: 612-870-3000; visit@artsmia.org.
Plan your visit: Minneapolis Institute of Art.
38. Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden | Lowry Hill
When: Galleries, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sculpture Garden, daily, 6 a.m.–midnight.
Where: 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.
Gallery admission: Adults $18; seniors $16; students with identification $12. Visitors 18 and younger enter free. The Sculpture Garden is free.
Choose an indoor gallery visit, an outdoor walk or a combination of both. The garden’s later hours offer flexibility, but Sunday’s cooler forecast makes a layer useful.
The Walker lists additional free-admission categories and provides accessible parking with a direct building connection.
Details: Walker Art Center: Plan Your Visit.
39. The Sound of Music | Orpheum Theatre
When: Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.
Admission: Ticketed; recommended for ages 7 and older.
The touring production brings Maria and the von Trapp family’s story to Minneapolis under director Jack O’Brien. The approximately two-hour, 40-minute performance includes an intermission.
The presenter notes flashing lights and Nazi imagery and references. Review those details when deciding whether the production suits your group.
A $30 student-rush offer is advertised, subject to eligibility and extremely limited availability. Rush admission is not guaranteed.
Tickets and access information: Hennepin Arts: The Sound of Music.
40. Kunene and the King | Guthrie Theater
When: Saturday at 1 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 7 p.m.
Where: Guthrie Theater, 818 South Second Street, Minneapolis.
Admission: Published range of 27–91, including handling fees. Recommended for ages 12 and older.
John Kani’s play places a Black caregiver and a white actor together in post-apartheid South Africa, examining race, class, memory and the possibility of connection through Shakespeare.
Kani performs alongside Edward Gero in a production directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The running time is approximately one hour and 40 minutes without intermission.
Content includes mature language, terminal illness, alcohol addiction and systemic racism.
Tickets: Guthrie Theater: Kunene and the King.
41. As You Like It | Ten Thousand Things Theater
When: Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where: Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis.
Admission: Suggested $40; Pay As You Are tickets begin at $15.
Ten Thousand Things brings Shakespeare’s forest comedy to the church’s second-floor art gallery. The production runs approximately two hours and 10 minutes, including an intermission.
Saturday’s performances are designated open-captioned. The venue has elevator access and accessible parking, with free parking available in the adjacent lot.
Enter through the front wooden door at the East Entry and follow the presenter’s directions to the performance space.
Tickets and access details: Ten Thousand Things: As You Like It.
42. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra: Life After Death | Saint Paul
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where: Ordway Concert Hall, 345 Washington Street, Saint Paul.
Admission: Ticketed; check the official seller for current prices.
Conductor Teddy Abrams, composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone and vocalist Eliza Bagg join the SPCO for a Liquid Music collaboration exploring the boundary between the living and the departed.
The program includes music by Philip Glass, Maurice Ravel and Andrew Norman, together with Ludwig-Leone’s Hexentanz and the world premiere of The Visitor.
The concert offers a Halloween-season atmosphere through orchestral music and voice.
Program: Liquid Music: Life After Death.
Schedule: Visit Saint Paul concert listing.
43. Saint Paul Farmers’ Market | Lowertown
When: Saturday, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Outdoor market, 290 Fifth Street E, Saint Paul.
Admission: Free to browse; purchases extra.
Lowertown’s market provides another way to spend part of the weekend supporting regional food producers and makers.
The different Saturday and Sunday opening times are worth noting, particularly for early shoppers. The market lists parking information online, including its designated parking arrangements on Prince Street.
Pair your visit with another Saint Paul outing, while allowing time to take perishable purchases home.
Contact: 651-227-8101; info@stpaulfarmersmarket.com.
Details: Saint Paul Farmers’ Market.
44. Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory | Saint Paul
When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul.
Admission: Free; voluntary donations support the facility.
Como offers a combination of animal exhibits and conservatory spaces, allowing visitors to balance outdoor time with an indoor garden visit.
The facility’s published fall and winter hours close both days at 4 p.m. Weather may affect which animals are on display and whether particular exhibits or gardens are open.
Review current visitor policies before bringing costumes or planning a group outing.
Contact: 651-487-8201.
Details: Como visitor policies and frequently asked questions.
45. Sever’s Fall Festival | Shakopee
When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Where: 3121 150th Street W, Shakopee.
Admission: General admission $19; children 3 and younger enter free.
Sever’s advertises more than 30 attractions, including its corn maze and live entertainment. The 2026 admission arrangement allows each ticketed guest to return throughout the season.
That return-visit policy may be useful for families who prefer a shorter outing or whose plans depend on weather. Optional extras and food should be budgeted separately.
The published season continues on Saturdays and Sundays through November 1.
Tickets: Sever’s Fall Festival.
Hours and directions: Plan your visit.
46. Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular | Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
When: Saturday, 5:30 p.m.–midnight; Sunday, 5:30–11 p.m. Timed admission applies.
Where: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley.
Admission: Adults 23–30; children 19–26. Ages 2 and younger are free. Nonmember parking is $10 per vehicle.
More than 5,000 carved pumpkins illuminate a wooded route, with this year’s trivia theme encouraging visitors to find answers within the displays.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance for a specific date and time. The zoo recommends arriving at least 30 minutes before your wristband time.
The trail involves outdoor walking, and mobility-device rentals are available on a first-come basis. Most animal areas and the Treetop Trail are closed during this event.
Tickets and accessibility information: Minnesota Zoo: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular.
Before You Head Out
A little preparation leaves more time for the outing itself.
- Check the date and departure time. Timed tours, performances and pumpkin-trail tickets require more precision than a drop-in festival.
- Confirm availability. An event’s appearance on a calendar does not guarantee tickets remain.
- Review registration deadlines. Cleary Lake’s geocaching program had an October 23 deadline.
- Budget beyond admission. Parking, food, rentals and optional attractions may cost extra.
- Ask about access needs directly. Trail surfaces, immersive performances, seating and historic buildings present different considerations.
- Check costume and bag policies. A community Halloween event, concert venue and professional sports arena may have different rules.
- Recheck outdoor plans. Saturday may bring late showers, while Sunday is expected to be markedly cooler.
The Takeaway
The weekend still offers room for several kinds of Twin Cities experiences.
Anoka supplies a large community celebration. Minneapolis offers hands-on art, markets, theater and live music. Saint Paul connects riverfront exploration with neighborhood gatherings and evening performances. Across the surrounding communities, families can choose daytime trick-or-treating, historic settings, skating, farm attractions and illuminated pumpkins.
There is no need to turn all 46 listings into an assignment. Choose an outing that suits your household, check the practical details and leave enough room to enjoy being there.
A bag of market apples, a child’s first printed artwork, a concert that stays with you or an afternoon spent with neighbors can each make a weekend memorable.
Editor’s Note
This is the Saturday–Sunday update for October 24–25, 2026, published separately from the original Friday edition of This Weekend in the Twin Cities™.
The directory contains 46 distinct listings. Editor’s Picks repeat selections from that directory. Multiday attractions and the two remaining Cantus performances are grouped within single listings.
Information was checked against organizer, venue, government and official ticketing sources. Unpublished prices and unresolved availability are identified rather than assumed. Event schedules, weather and ticket inventory may change.
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