September and October are two of my favorite months of the year because of the cooler, crisp air, pumpkin everything, and Halloween events and fall festivals galore! Here I’ve rounded up tons of fun events you can enjoy with your family in the Twin Cities. Many are free, some are at cost (but so worth it!). And there are some drive-thru events!

Be sure to check in advance as some require registration in advance and may be filled up, and some events may change or be cancelled.

Check back often for updates!!!!!

Got an event to add? Email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com!!!!

October Ongoing Events

Sever’s Fall Festival & Corn Maze. Shakopee. Open September 10, 2021 – October 31, 2021.

Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Corn Maze. Brooklyn Park. Open daily September 18th through October 31st. Free admission to marketplace, $6 – 10 admission for corn maze and activities. Enter my giveaway for 4 tickets by Tuesday, September 21st!

Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience. Mall of America. September 25 – October 31. Screamin’ Green Hauntoween returns for a month of spooky family fun! Join us for more than five weeks of spook-tastic crafts, trick-or-treating and more! Children are encouraged to wear costumes for the event (no costume masks). Get LOWEST-PRICED tickets through my special link! Tickets are $17.50 (regularly $22.99 – $24.99). Here’s how:

• Just click on my personalized online store web link (URL) and enter the access code TCFM.  (Or visit https://tickets.crayolaexperience.com and enter my personalized store name: Twin Cities Frugal Mom)
• You’ll be able to purchase and print the tickets right away, saving you time waiting at the entrance turnstiles and bypassing ticket booth lines! And they’re valid for up to a year.

Storyland! Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul. OPEN NOW! (They opened early!) Don’t forget to use my discount code “TCFM” to save $3 per ticket every day online!

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. October 1 – November 7. Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley. Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is back for a 3rd year at the Minnesota Zoo! Wander through the glow of thousands of artfully carved pumpkins all alight in the night. This season, carve out a little time to bask in the glow of nature and enjoy this truly magical experience. (Buy tickets online)

Pirate Party at SEA LIFE. October 1 – 31. Sea Life, Mall of America. Ahoy Mateys! Our divers have been busy hiding treasure inside Minnesota’s largest aquarium. Guests can follow a treasure map through 1.3 million gallons of the deep to seek out sea creatures and treasure!  Buccaneers of all ages can complete challenges to earn their very own treasure – and even cause some mischief with MN Jack Sparrow by SEA LIFE’s pirate ship!    

Pirate Party activities include:

• Follow a treasure map to find the hidden treasure chests and uncover a mystery phrase
• Dive into pirate life in the Activity Zone earning yer pirate name, challenging yer crew in pirate games, decorating yer own hat or sword and more!
• Snap a selfie with MN Jack Sparrow (11am-3pm on select dates only)
• Claim your pirate booty at the X marks the spot!

Anoka Halloween. The Halloween capital of the month! Events throughout October. See below for some of the listings or visit their website for their full list.

Apple Fest. Afton Apple Orchard, 14421 So. 90th St. Hastings. Weekends of Oct 2-3, 9-10 & 16-17.

The Great Pumpkin Fest and ValleyScare. Valleyfair, Shakopee. October 2 – 31. Get discounted tickets through my exclusive link! Be sure to buy and reserve your tickets EARLY as they have been selling out!

September Events by Date

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Fall Fest In Downtown White Bear Lake. 11:00am – 5:00pm. September 23 – 25. Downtown White Bear Lake. Scarecrow Stroll is 12:00 – 5:00pm. Stroll the streets of Downtown White Bear Lake and check out the amazing scarecrows – and pay attention as you will get to vote for your favorites!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Fall Fest In Downtown White Bear Lake. 11:00am – 5:00pm. September 23 – 25. Downtown White Bear Lake. Scarecrow Stroll is 12:00 – 5:00pm. Stroll the streets of Downtown White Bear Lake and check out the amazing scarecrows – and pay attention as you will get to vote for your favorites!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Harvest Festival. 9:00am – 3:00pm. The Woods Gifts, Maple Grove. Donut food truck, petting zoo.

Free Corn Trail & Wagon Rides. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo. Everyone is welcome to a FREE family-friendly corn trail & wagon rides in the East Metro! Four Saturdays: September 18 – October 9, 11am-4pm. 

Fall Fest In Downtown White Bear Lake. 11:00am – 5:00pm. September 23 – 25. Downtown White Bear Lake. Scarecrow Stroll is 12:00 – 5:00pm. Stroll the streets of Downtown White Bear Lake and check out the amazing scarecrows – and pay attention as you will get to vote for your favorites!

Fall Festival. 11:00am. Hope Lutheran Church, Farmington. Free family fun! Food, fall crafts, balloon artist, airbrush tattoos and more!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Harvest Celebration. 12:00pm. Quarry Church, Monticello.

•FREE BOUNCY HOUSES
•FREE OBSTACLES COURSES
•FREE FACE PAINTING
•FREE CARAMEL APPLES
•FREE ICE CREAM
•FREE PRIZES
•FREE CARNIVAL GAMES & MORE

October Events by Date

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

Free Corn Trail & Wagon Rides. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo. Everyone is welcome to a FREE family-friendly corn trail & wagon rides in the East Metro! Four Saturdays: September 18 – October 9, 11am-4pm. 

Free Family Fun Day: Halloween. 12:00 – 3:00pm. Goodhue County Historical Society, Red Wing. Join us on October 2nd from 12-3 for for a hauntingly good time at the history center for our Halloween themed Free Family Fun Day. Learn about some of the history of Halloween. There will be some sweet treats and fun activities for families. Also help us solve the mystery at the museum by finding and solving the clues hidden around the museum.

Oktoberfest at Midtown Global Market. 12:00 – 4:00pm. All are welcome. This is a free and family friendly event.

Flannel Fest. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Maplewood Mall. Grab the kids, don a flannel and get to Maplewood Mall. We’re hosting a festive fall-themed KidX event that will be sure to delight. Kids will be able to paint their own mini pumpkin (while supplies last), play giant checkers, and try their hand at a kids-friendly ax-throwing game. Face painting too!

Fall Family Outdoor Expo. 1:00 – 4:00pm. 67 West Golden Lake Road, Circle Pines. This free event, open to the public, is hosted by Scouting units in the Centennial area. A few of the activities: learn fishing knots plus a fishing activity, shoot off rockets, learn to cook outdoors, complete an obstacle course, and more!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8

Spooky Sanborn. 5:00 – 9:30pm. Sanborn Park, Robbinsdale. Volunteer run, trunk-or-treat where kids can play games and get treats, listen to a not so spooky story, enter a costume contest, take a picture at our photo booth, and take part in a pumpkin craft! At the end of the night there will be a free showing of HOCUS POCUS! Bring lawnchairs or blankets to catch this movie!

Free Movies in the Park! Hocus Pocus. 7:00 – 8:30pm. Sanborn Park, Robbinsdale. Join us for our annual Free Movies in the Park! series. This series is brought to you by Robbinsdale Recreation at Sanborn Park. Enjoy the last of summer outside, watching fan favorites! Bring a snack, bring a chair or blanket, and enjoy a movie with your community!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

Stillwater Harvest Fest. 10:00am – 6:00pm. Lowell Park, Stillwater. Tons of events including a Harvest Fest Market & Kids Activities!

Free Corn Trail & Wagon Rides. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo. Everyone is welcome to a FREE family-friendly corn trail & wagon rides in the East Metro! Four Saturdays: September 18 – October 9, 11am-4pm. 

Hyland Hills Chairlift Rides. 12:00 – 6:00pm. Hyland Hills Ski Area, 8800 Chalet Rd, Bloomington. These are $5.58 a person.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21

MEA Break Camps. 9:00am. The Works Museum. Engage your kids in hands-on, minds-on activities during MEA break. Camps for older kids too! Museum exploration, games, engineering activities, and pizza lunch are included. (Fees vary)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22

MEA Break Camps. 9:00am. The Works Museum. Engage your kids in hands-on, minds-on activities during MEA break. Camps for older kids too! Museum exploration, games, engineering activities, and pizza lunch are included. (Fees vary)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

Haunted ROUNDHouse! 10:00am – 4:00pm. October 23 & 30. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. Enjoy music, treats, caboose ride and more! Caboose rides included with admission. You can ride as many times as you like! Train car is heated! While visiting the museum, enjoy lively and engaging music by Ross Sutter! Check out our “G” scale Minnesota-themed layout, including farm life depicted in the south, to the town of Jackson mid-state, then up to the iron range ore mine in the north. Snacks and drinks available in gift shop.

Halloween Event. 11:00am. Osseo. Join us on Saturday, Oct 23, at 11 a.m. for the Lions Halloween Event, sponsored by the Osseo Lions Club.

Children’s Pumpkin Carving Contest. 1:00 – 2:30pm. Akin Park, 1721 River Avenue, Anoka. Free.

Night Trains. Every Saturday starting October 23rd. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul. We love this annual event! It’s 3:00 – 7:00pm and is $15 per person. Kids under 4 are free. Though this goes through February, October 23rd and October 30th are Halloween-themed events! 

Halloween Bash. 5:00 – 8:00pm. Savage. 

Pumpkin Night in the Park. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley. Pumpkin Night in the Park is back! Bring the whole family to Springbrook for a celebration of fall, fun, and PUMPKINS, lots of Pumpkins! Experience enchanted trails, costumed characters, kids dance with a DJ, 1,000 glowing pumpkins, delicious food, and more! $10 per person. Age 2 and under is free. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Light Up the Night Parade. 7:00 – 8:00pm. Anoka Main Street, 1922 1st Ave. S., Anoka. The lights on Main Street turn down low to showcase one of kind floats with lights. Participants are from all over our state and Wisconsin provide entertainment for our spectators.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

Great Pumpkin Halloween Celebration. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Landmark Center, St. Paul. Enjoy Halloween festivities at Landmark Center with live entertainment, crafts, treats, and a costume parade. FREE.

Trunk or Treat. 2:00 – 4:00pm. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Circle Pines. Come and join the fun! Lots of trunks for kids to visit! Plus new this year Petting Zoo and Two Food Trucks!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Halloween DRIVE THRU. 6:00 – 7:30pm. Hazel Park, St. Paul. Families will drive up in their vehicles and stop at every table to receive treat bag or other special items that will be handed to them. Note: The vehicle line starts on Case Ave on the south side and wraps around the east side of Van Dyke street. The line will cut off at 8pm sharp. Participants must remain in their vehicle. No registration required.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Halloween Trick or Treat. 4:00 – 6:00pm. North Commons Park, Minneapolis. Make North Commons a quick stop on your trick or treat route. You can pick up some treats and snap a pic with your family at the photo stop. All stops will be socially-distanced. We ask that all participants wear a mask and be mindful to stay 6 ft. apart from those not in your party.

Halloween Party. 6:00 – 7:30pm. McDonough Recreation Center, St. Paul. Halloween games, crafts and fun! Wear your costume! No registration.

MJM Halloween Bash. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Merriam Park Recreation Center, St. Paul. Come join the MJM (Merriam Park, Jimmy Lee, MLK) while we celebrate Halloween! There will be a petting zoo, jump castle, haunted house, food, and more! Don’t be scared, come party and wear your best costume for the costume contest! Register online.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

Preschool Costume Contest. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Anoka City Hall, 2015 1st Ave N, Anoka. Yearly tradition!! Special treat bags for each participant. This event will be open to all pre-kindergarten children. One adult allowed per registration.

Preschool Halloween Party. 11:00am – 12:30pm. Creekview Park, Minneapolis. A special trick-or-treat event designed for young children and their parents. Event is FREE to attend and is designed for children under 6-years-old. Wear your costume and bring your parents for a morning of silly spooky fun. Tricks and treats, games, music and more will be an eerie kickoff for your Halloween fun! Pre-registration is required.

Big Parade of Little People. 1:15 – 2:15pm. Anoka Main Street, 1922 1st Ave. S. Join us in celebrating our elementary students participate in Anoka Halloween’s oldest tradition. Local school children march through our historic downtown area. Marching bands and costumes for all to enjoy. 

Night Trains. Every Saturday starting October 23rd. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul. We love this annual event! It’s 3:00 – 7:00pm and is $15 per person. Kids under 4 are free. Though this goes through February, October 23rd and October 30th are Halloween-themed events! 

Halloween Trick or Treat – Drop Ins. 4:00 – 6:00pm. Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis. Make Powderhorn a quick stop on your trick or treat route. You can pick up some treats and snap a pic with your family at the photo stop. All treat stops will be socially-distanced. We ask that all participants wear a mask and be mindful to stay 6 ft. apart from those not in your party. Free but register in advance.

Halloween Trunk or Treat DRIVE THRU. Heritage Park, St. Paul Park. Come on out to see the decorated trunks and get some Treats.

DRIVE THRU Halloween Party. 6:00 – 8:00p. Battle Creek Rec Center, St. Paul. Join us for a Halloween themed spooky event! This will be a drive thru event, participants will get treat bags and other special things for local community partners! The line starts on Winthrop street just outside the parking lot entrance. The line will cut off at 8pm sharp. Participants must remain in their vehicle. No registration.

Halloween Party and Bonfire. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Northwest Como Recreation Center, St. Paul. Join us for Crafts, a Bonfire, Outdoor activities, music and much more!! Please wear a costume, there will be an all ages Costume Contest. No registration necessary.

Little Goblins Costume Party. 6:30 – 8:00pm. Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes. Ages 8 and under Ghosts, goblins, and more! Join us in your favorite costume for a night of fun! We will have a variety of themed carnival games and crafts! Refreshments will be provided, and you can even take a photo with our special photo backdrop. Wargo Nature Center staff will be leading a flashlight hike and a look at the stars! Don’t forget your camera! Note: Parents/guardians are encouraged to dress in their favorite costume as well. Please make sure all costumes are family appropriate, no costumes with weapons. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. $10 per person.

House Decorating Contest-Public Viewing from Your Car! 7:00 – 9:00pm. October 29 – 30. Anoka. This contest was open to addresses within a 5-mile radius of Anoka City Hall, 2015 1st Avenue, Anoka.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

Trunk or Treat. 10:00am – 12:00pm. 2975 145th St W, Rosemount. Join us for a fun morning of Trunk or Treat at The Club House- Rosemount! We have partnered with other local businesses to join in on the fun! We also will be taking non-perishable food donations for the 360 Communities Rosemount Family Resource Center! 

Halloween in Hopkins. 11:00am – 2:00pm. Downtown Hopkins. Save the date for Halloween in Hopkins! There will be a variety of fun events around downtown for the whole family to enjoy. 

Haunted ROUNDHouse! 10:00am – 4:00pm. October 23 & 30. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. Enjoy music, treats, caboose ride and more! Caboose rides included with admission. You can ride as many times as you like! Train car is heated! While visiting the museum, enjoy lively and engaging music by Ross Sutter! Check out our “G” scale Minnesota-themed layout, including farm life depicted in the south, to the town of Jackson mid-state, then up to the iron range ore mine in the north. Snacks and drinks available in gift shop.

Pumpkin Fest 2021. 11:00am – 3:00pm. SkyView Ranch, Farmington. Free petting zoo.

Trunk or Treat: Trunks of the Decades. 11:00am – 1:00pm. Northern Life Wellness, Burnsville.

Pumpkin Festival. 11:00am – 1:00pm. 50th & France, Edina. Trick-or-treating at area businesses and games.

Pumpkin Fest 2021. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Skyview Ranch LLC, 2413 210th St E, Farmington. Free pumpkins until they are gone!

“Thriller” Halloween Fun Day. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Central Gym, Minneapolis. Come out and enjoy a free bag of goodies, with the magic words of “trick or Treat”. Free but register in advance (see the rules). 

Maple Grove Trunk or Treat. 1:00 – 4:00pm. Maple Grove Community Center. Join us for a fun Trunk or Treat event. We are going to be having a space in the community center parking lot as a part of the Maple Grove Parks and Rec event. We may even have a special character visit as well that you can take a picture with and send to your email. Share this event with all of your friends, families and anyone with kids!

Grande Day Parade. 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Anoka. The parade starts at 1 pm at State Street and Main Street. Route follows Main Street to 5th Avenue and finishes at South Street/ Military Road. Parade length is 1.5 miles long. Spaces along Main St. and 5th Avenue can be reserved after 4 AM the day of the parade. Chairs/blankets set out prior to this time, will be removed.

Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat. 2:00 – 4:00pm. Richfield United Methodist Church, Minneapolis. Trunk-Or-Treat returns in “drive-thru style” fun! All are invited to a safe trick-or-treating experience. Tap “Going,” invite your friends, and share today!

Trunk or Treat. 2:00 – 5:00pm. The Grove United Methodist Church, Woodbury. Put on your favorite costume and enjoy an afternoon trunk-or-treating with friends and neighbors at this not-so-scary Halloween event.

Spooktacular. 2:00 – 5:00pm. Zanewood Recreation Center, Brooklyn Park. Join us for this fun FREE family-friendly event. Walk through an outdoor Spooktacular path at Zanewood Recreation Center.

DRIVE THRU Trunk or Treat. 2:00 – 5:00pm. The Grove United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Rd, Woodbury. Put on your favorite costume and enjoy an afternoon trunk-or-treating with friends and neighbors at this not-so-scary Halloween event. Cars will be lined up at the church for safe, socially distant trick-or-treating. Because this is a drive-thru event, each child will receive a goody-bag at the end of the event.

Trunk or Treat. 3:00 – 5:00pm. Lutheran Church of Peace, Maplewood.

Trunk or Treat. 3:30 – 4:30pm. Peace Lutheran Church, Bloomington. Our 2nd annual Trunk or Treat is coming up! On Saturday, October 30, 3:30-4:30pm, we invite you to come to Peace for a special kid-friendly community event.

Not-So-Scary Nature Trail. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Parkway, Eden Prairie. During this educational event, walk the lantern-lit trail and learn about bats, owls, snakes, eagles and so much more while collecting a Halloween treat at each station. Arrive any time during your 30-minute time slot to begin your adventure. Staggered start times to allow for physical distancing, and so younger children can attend early and the more adventurous in the dark. Sign up in advance.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

American Legion Halloween Post Parade Pancake Breakfast. 8:00am – 12:00pm. American Legion Anoka Post 102, 400 W Main St, Anoka. Pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee. Special appearance from 2022 Anoka Halloween Royal Ambassadors. Tickets in Advance (sold at the Anoka Legion) or at the door $7.00. Children under 6 eat for Free!

Trunk or Treat: Be Our Guest at this Community Event. 12:00 – 2:00pm. Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Minneapolis. Wear your costumes and tour the fun array of decorated trunks. Vote on the best-decorated jack O’lantern and the best-decorated trunk – one lucky guest at the event will win a very special prize! Kids will also enjoy face painting, candy, and a fun inflatable to play on!

Trunk ‘n Treat. 12:30 – 2:30pm. Shepherd of the Hills in Shoreview MN. Join us for this family event. Free for all. We ask that you bring a donation for Ralph Reeder food shelf. More details regarding safety will be available as the date is closer.

KidX: Halloween Bash. 2:00 – 4:00pm. Northtown Mall, Blaine. Celebrate Halloween with us at Northtown Mall! Visit us in Center Court wearing your costume from 2 to 4 pm to grab a treat bag* and take pictures at our spooky selfie stations.

Mall-o-Ween at the Mall of America. 2:00 – 5:00pm. Mall of America. It’s on! Kids of all ages are invited to dress in their favorite Halloween costume and head to Mall of America for ‘Mall-O-Ween,’ sponsored by M&M’s, this Sunday, October 31 from 2 – 5 p.m. Guests will receive a generous bag of M&M’s treats, watch pumpkin carvers in West Market Square, snap a photo in our Halloween photo booth, and take in a Fright Light Show in Nickelodeon Universe at 5 & 7 p.m. Treat bags are available first come, first served.

Candy Rush – Trunk or Treat. 2:00 – 5:00pm. North Point Church, Coon Rapids. Family fun with great food and lots of candy for the kids all in a safe environment. It’s all free as our gift to the community. Please join us for this fun free neighborhood party!

Trunk or Treat. 4:00 – 6:00pm. Lord of Life, Ramsey. 

Halloween Drive Thru. 4:00 – 6:00pm. Access Church, 4359 392nd St, North Branch. You’re invited to join us for our Halloween Drive Thru. Before you hit the town to go door-to-door, make sure to swing by our building. Our staff and volunteers will be in costume and ready to greet you with a FREE bag of candy for every child, 5th grade and younger! Stay comfy inside your car – we’ll bring the candy to you. All you have to do is drive up to the front door of the building, and we’ll take it from there!

Trunk or Treat Halloween Party. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Webber Park, Minneapolis. Trunk or Treat is a new alternative to the traditional idea of going house to house trick or treating. Costumed Kiddos will go from car trunk to trunk collecting candy and playing games all in one spot in the Webber Parking lot. Each trunk will be decorated and some will even have games to play in-between. Fun and safe for the entire family. Free but register in advance.

Halloween Tricks or Treats at Afton Rd Fire Station. 5:00 – 8:00pm. 6301 Upper Afton Rd, Woodbury. One of our favorite annual traditions at Woodbury Public Safety is back!! Goblins and all ghostly creatures are welcome to stop by Halloween Tricks or Treats at Afton Road Fire Station for an open house with apple cider and candy.

SLP Lions Trunk or Treat! 5:30 – 6:45pm. Sanburnol Park, Spring Lake Park. Join us for our Annual FREE Trunk or Treat event for kids. A non scary environment for your kids to trick or treat at. We decorate our vehicles and pass out candy from our trunks! 

Got an event to add? Contact me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com!

Also – check back for updates! And be sure to check out my Deals & Events Calendar for even more.

For more Halloween fun:

Check out these Halloween deals on Groupon!

4 Healthy Halloween Treats That Don’t Have Any Tricks