(Please note: This list is updated as events become known. Be sure to check with the event host/venue in advance as there may be changes or cancellations at any time.)
UPDATE: This calendar is in retirement mode and has been replaced by this calendar here.
Have an event to add? Submit an event to my NEW calendar here:
EVERY DAY: Get The Works Museum Discount Tickets!
- Regular admission is $14.00 per person, but you can get admission for $12.00 per person with my special code! (Children 2 and under are free.) For $2 Off Admission: Use code TCFMB$2OFF in the “promo code” field on the shopping cart page. (Not valid for special events) Purchase via THIS LINK.
- Discounts are offered for special events if you buy tickets in advance. Follow their website and social media pages for updates.
- 50% off admission for limited income families through their Gateway program
EVERY DAY: Get Minnesota Children’s Museum Discount Tickets!
EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul with my special code TCFM! Save $3 per admission!
- Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 per admission on tickets both online and in person. You can also use that code to save $20 on a membership either in-person or online.
- There’s so much to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Check out my review here.
Also, be sure to check my Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families for how to save (and get FREE admission!) at places all around the Twin Cities!
And check out my list of Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota!
October
Ongoing Events
The Rock and Rock Playhouse: Concerts for Kids!. First Avenue & 7th St Entry, Minneapolis
Save 50% on tickets at Zero Gravity! Mounds View.
Monsters on Vacation. May 23 – January 10. Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul. Save on admission with my code TCFM.
Titanic: An Immersive Voyage Minneapolis. Now through February (date may change). I have a 10% discount code: TITANICMN.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival. August 22nd – October 4th. Shakopee, MN.
Pinocchio. Children’s Theatre Company, Minneapolis. September 8-October 18, 2026.
Jack O Lantern Spectacular. September 25th through November 1st. Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley.
Valleyfair’s Tricks and Treats. September 26 – November 1.
Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit™ Tale. October 1 – 18, 2026. Mixed Blood Theatre, Mpls.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. October 23-25. Grand Casino Area, St. Paul.
October 2026 Events by Date
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
The Fall Festival at The Anoka County Fairgrounds. October 2-4.
Free Farmers Market. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Allianz Field-Minnesota United FC, 400 Snelling Ave N, St Paul.
Friday Morning Story Time with Engineer Paul. 10:15am. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul. Included with admission. The admission is: $10 for kids 1-10 yrs and $2 for adults. Twins are always BOGO!
FREE Friday Night Movies: Casper. 6:30pm. The Burrow, Oakdale.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3
The Fall Festival at The Anoka County Fairgrounds. October 2-4.
The Great Minnesotan Flea-Together. October 3-4. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul.
FREE Museum Admission for Bank of America cardholders. October 3rd – 4th. First weekend of each month.
FREE Kids Workshop. 9:00am – 12:00pm. Home Depot locations. This month: Witch Candy Box. Admission also opens today for the November craft event!
Art Play! 10:00am – 2:00pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art. First and third Saturdays.
Free First Saturday: Story Makers and Dream Shapers. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis.
In Play Outlet Grand Opening. 10:00am. 347 Water Street, Excelsior, MN. We’re opening up more than 50,000 pieces of new In Play apparel directly to the public. Hoodies. Crewnecks. Quarter-zips. Joggers. Fleece. And more.
Everything is $10.
FREE Community Showing of Hotel Transylvania 3. 10:00am. Odyssey Century 9 Theatre, Hutchinson.
Vintage Pop Up Shop. 11:00am – 3:00pm. 730 Vikings Pkwy Ste 100, Eagan.
Andover Station Halloween Event. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Festival Foods of Andover Minnesota, 2218 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover.
Shakopee Fall Food Truck & Shak-O-Lantern Festival. 11:00am – 8:00pm. The Landing – Three Rivers, Shakopee.
Blaine Oktoberfest. 12:00 – 8:30pm. Tom Ryan Park, 10864 Town Square Dr NE, Blaine.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
The Fall Festival at The Anoka County Fairgrounds. October 2-4.
The Great Minnesotan Flea-Together. October 3-4. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, St. Paul.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
FREE First Tuesday at Washington County Parks. On the first Tuesday of every month (non-holiday), visit any Washington County Park FREE. No Vehicle Permit required.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Costume Swap. 11:00am – 2:00pm. 60 Sycamore St W, St Paul.
–Every Wednesday in October (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tots & Trains. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. This free program occurs on the first Wednesday of the month and various Saturdays. Admission is $11 for adults, $6 for ages 3-6. Check their website for pricing bundles and more info.
Free Public Tours. 1:00 – 2:00pm. Union Depot, St. Paul.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Free Farmers Market. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Roseville Covenant Church, 2865 Hamline Ave N, St Paul.
Friday Morning Story Time with Engineer Paul. 10:15am. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul. Included with admission. The admission is: $10 for kids 1-10 yrs and $2 for adults. Twins are always BOGO!
FREE Friday Night Movies: Trick r Treat. 9:00pm. The Burrow, Oakdale.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Highland Tower Open House (Oct 10 & 11). 9:00am – 5:00pm. 782 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul.
Free Kids Craft. 11:00am – 12:00pm. JcPenney – participating locations. This month: Make a Dalmation Fireman.
Costume Swap. 11:00am – 2:00pm. 60 Sycamore St W, St Paul.
–Every Wednesday in October (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
BRAIN DAY ‘26. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Coffman Memorial Union, Minneapolis (on the UMN campus). Brain Day is an interactive, engaging, and free event celebrating our brains at the University of Minnesota. This will be a family-friendly event packed with live demonstrations, exciting experiments, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Oktoberfest. 11:00am – 6:00pm. 5353 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis. Kids and adults alike will enjoy searching for hidden treasures amongst our seasonal displays in our scavenger hunt, getting hands-on with our pumpkin decorating contest, and visiting with a Highland cow from the Tangletown Farm.
Hennepin County Fix It Clinic. 12:00 – 4:00pm. 8400 France Avenue South Bloomington, 55431.
Movies at the Star: The Mighty Ducks. Outdoor movie at the Mall of America. Doors Open at 7 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. Showtime. $25 for a car pass, $7 for a lawn lounge pass.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
Highland Tower Open House (Oct 10 & 11). 9:00am – 5:00pm. 782 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul.
Community Book Swap. 10:00am – 2:00pm. Southern Social, 1940 Rahncliff Ct., Eagan. Bring in your gently used books October 5th–10th and receive a ticket for each book you drop off. Then join us for brunch on October 11th and use your tickets to pick out some new-to-you reads!
Family Day. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Join us for our free monthly event for families, kids, and the young at heart. On the second Sunday of every month, the museum is filled with hands-on art activities, live music, dance performances, artist demonstrations, family tours and more — all inspired by Mia’s incredible collection.
Harvest Market. 11:00am – 4:00pm. 9462 Deerwood Lane N, Maple Grove.
Hobby Swaps: Clothing Swap Nite. 1:00 – 5:00pm. Fallen Knife Brewing, 783 Harding St Northeast, Minneapolis. It is completely free to attend and participate. Just bring your excess wardrobe items to trade with other stylish beer lovers!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
Toddler Tuesdays®. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Mall of America.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
Mini Mia. 10:00am – 12:30pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Mini Mia features a gallery tour specially designed for caregivers and little ones (ages 0–5), a movement class with Young Dance, and a cozy story time. Make new friends and introduce your child to the wonders of art in a comfortable, kid-friendly setting. Free registration is required.
Costume Swap. 11:00am – 2:00pm. 60 Sycamore St W, St Paul.
–Every Wednesday in October (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
St. Paul Art Crawl. Oct 16-18. Union Depot, St. Paul.
Friday Morning Story Time with Engineer Paul. 10:15am. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul. Included with admission. The admission is: $10 for kids 1-10 yrs and $2 for adults. Twins are always BOGO!
FREE Friday Night Movies: Hocus Pocus. 6:30pm. The Burrow, Oakdale.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
St. Paul Art Crawl. Oct 16-18. Union Depot, St. Paul.
Sensory Friendly Saturday. 8:00am – 10:00am. Bell Museum, St. Paul.
The Great Pumpkin Festival. 10:00am – 1:00pm. The Shops at West End, 1621 West End Blvd, Saint Louis Park. Trick-or-Treating at participating retail and restaurant locations. We encourage all families to dress up!
Art Play! 10:00am – 2:00pm. Minneapolis Institute of Art. First and third Saturdays.
Pumpkin Painting. 10:00am – 2:00pm. Southern Social, 1424 Weir Dr, Woodbury, MN.
Third Annual Knoxtoberfest. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Knox Church, 4747 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis. This FREE event combines all the things we love about fall – time around the table with family and friends, good food, lawn games, finding the perfect pumpkin, and soaking up the last days of outdoor weather.
Movies at the Star: Hocus Pocus. Outdoor movie at the Mall of America. Doors Open at 7 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. Showtime. $25 for a car pass, $7 for a lawn lounge pass.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18
St. Paul Art Crawl. Oct 16-18. Union Depot, St. Paul.
Community Pet Clinic. 9:00am – 2:00pm. 2825 N 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
Tots & Trains. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. This free program occurs on the first Wednesday of the month and various Saturdays. Admission is $11 for adults, $6 for ages 3-6. Check their website for pricing bundles and more info.
Costume Swap. 11:00am – 2:00pm. 60 Sycamore St W, St Paul.
–Every Wednesday in October (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free Public Tours. 1:00 – 2:00pm. Union Depot, St. Paul.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.
Target Free Thursday Nights. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
Free Farmers Market. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Rice and Arlington Field, 102 Montana Ave W, St Paul.
Friday Morning Story Time with Engineer Paul. 10:15am. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul. Included with admission. The admission is: $10 for kids 1-10 yrs and $2 for adults. Twins are always BOGO!
FREE Friday Night Movies: Halloween. 9:00pm. The Burrow, Oakdale.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
Trunk or Treat. 10:30am – 12:00pm. Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, New Hope. Free hot dog lunch, coffee, bouncy house.
Costume Swap. 11:00am – 2:00pm. 60 Sycamore St W, St Paul.
–Every Wednesday in October (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
BOOnion Depot. 10:00am – 2:00pm. Union Depot, 214 4th Street East, Saint Paul.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Costume Swap. 11:00am – 2:00pm. 60 Sycamore St W, St Paul.
–Every Wednesday in October (Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
–Saturday, October 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
Friday Morning Story Time with Engineer Paul. 10:15am. Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St. Paul. Included with admission. The admission is: $10 for kids 1-10 yrs and $2 for adults. Twins are always BOGO!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 HALLOWEEN
FREE Halloween Printables! Go here.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. 310 Airport Rd Hangar 3, South Saint Paul, MN. Museum is open to the public Wednesdays and Saturdays each week from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Please call ahead on all major holidays as the museum may be closed. Admission is free of charge. Donations are always welcome and appreciated when visiting.
EVERY THURSDAY
Free Lil’ Explorers Thursdays. 10:00am. Como Zoo. Lil’ Explorers is a FREE program from 10:00AM-noon on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but every age is welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week!
Free Thursday Nights at the Minnesota History Center. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Minnesota History Center, St. Paul.
Target Free Thursday Nights. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Gallery admission is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday night. Reserve your ticket online in advance.
EVERY FRIDAY
Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.
EVERY SATURDAY
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. 310 Airport Rd Hangar 3, South Saint Paul, MN. Museum is open to the public Wednesdays and Saturdays each week from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Please call ahead on all major holidays as the museum may be closed. Admission is free of charge. Donations are always welcome and appreciated when visiting.
Free Kids Club Workshops at Michael’s stores. 10:00am.
Experience the Northern Lights Glow Party. 6:00 – 9:00pm. Zero Gravity, Mounds View. Fridays and Saturdays.
SELECT SATURDAYS
Free children’s craft activity at Lakeshore Learning Stores. 11:00am to 3:00pm. Ages 3 and up. No reservation necessary.
EVERY SUNDAY
Sensory Friendly Playtime at Edinborough Park. 8:30am – 10:00am. Edinborough Park, Edina.