Halloween rolls around again, and this year is chock-full of events for young and old to enjoy. Whether it’s wholesome family fun or something a little more spine-tingling for adults, these events are sure to invite one into the spirit of the spooky season.
St. Paul
Twin Cities Paranormal Society Cocktail Party: Reminisce and drink over the Twin Cities Paranormal Society’s spooky adventures Oct. 27, 28 and 30 at The Lexington restaurant in St. Paul. On Oct. 30, the party will be joined by paranormal investigator Dave Schrader, host of the podcast The Paranormal 60, who will reveal the findings of his overnight investigation of The Lexington itself. Tickets available at opentable.com/r/the-lexington-saint-paul.
Northwest Como Halloween Bonfire: Featuring a bonfire, games, food for sale from Como Booster Club, and the all-important costume contest, this free event takes place at the Northwest Como Recreation Center at 1550 Hamline Ave. N. from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27.
Arlington Hills Fall Festival: From 12 to 2 p.m. Oct. 28, St. Paul Parks and Recreation and Arlington Hills Community Center invite residents to 1200 Payne Ave. in St. Paul to participate in the Fall Festival. The event features free food, candy, activities and a bike giveaway. Costumes are encouraged.
BOOnion Depot: On Oct. 29 the Union Depot on 219 Kellogg Blvd. E. in St Paul will transform into BOOnion Depot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The all-ages event features crafts, face painting, balloon artists, costumed heroes, food trucks, and a DJ pumping jams to a dance floor. The event takes place in the Union Depot’s waiting room. Parking is available, and the event is free. More information at the Facebook event page: facebook.com/events/1438576980018778.
Chocoholic Frolic: A chocolate themed race for all experience levels, the Chocoholic Frolic offers 5K, 10K, and KidsK entries on Nov. 4. All participants receive a commemorative medal, 1/4 zip long sleeve shirt and a chocolate treat when they complete the race. The race starts at Harriet Island in St. Paul; registration begins at 7:30 a.m. 5K and 10K entries cost $45 and KidsK entries cost $20. More information can be found at chocoholicfrolicrun.com.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis Cider Co. Halloween Murder Mystery Party: Work together and role play with other participants Oct. 27 to solve a murder at an office party. Located at the Minneapolis Cider Company’s private event space, The Haralson Room, at 701 S.E. Ninth St. in Minneapolis. Food and drinks for purchase. Tickets available at eventbrite.com.
Barebones Puppet Theatre 30th Annual Extravaganza: The outdoor puppetry theater takes place every year in October, this being the event’s 30th and promising drama and songs fit for the family. Showings will be 7 p.m. Oct. 27, 28, 29 and 31 on the Midtown Greenway at 2828 11th Ave. S. in Minneapolis. Tickets can be purchased at barebonespuppets.org. Admission can be free, but a $20 donation is encouraged with each ticket.
Hocus Pocus Halloween Drag Brunch: Roxy’s Cabaret in Minneapolis hosts a Halloween-themed drag show at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oct. 28. The brunch show features performances and costumes. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at roxyscabaret.com.
Día de Muertos Community Event and Art Exhibition: Midtown Global Market and CLUES (Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio) will be hosting a Día de Muertos celebration from 12 to 3 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. The celebration includes themed activities and crafts for both children and adults, live performances featuring Lost Rebeldes and Mexico Azteca Dance Company, exhibits from artists Lucino Sosa, Kevin Martinez and Flor Shubare Soto, and traditional foods such as Pan de Muerto. An Ofrenda, a traditional altar created to remember deceased loved ones, created by artist Monica Vega will centerpiece the event. The event is free, and more information can be found at midtownglobalmarket.org.
Festival de las Calaveras: From 6 to 11 p.m. Nov. 4 the Festival de las Calaveras returns to the Cedar Cultural Center with its art and music festival featuring a multitude of performers, including La Dame Blanche, Jarana Beat, Chicha Roots, Mexica Yolotl, and the Palabristas Spoken Word Collective. Authentic Mexican cuisine will be served from Frida’s Food Truck and guests will have the opportunity to get their faces painted in the style of the traditional Calavera skull. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. More information can be found at thecedar.org.
Suburbs
Tricks and Treats: Through Oct. 29, Valleyfair separates itself into two themed halves for Halloween: the Land of Tricks, featuring Ickyville and Spooky Spires for those that desire grossness and goosebumps, and the Land of Treats with Everfall and Sweet Tooth Acres for those that want something more peaceful and reminiscent of a harvest festival. Both areas feature themed events and, of course, a whole lot of candy. Valleyfair’s popular rides will also be open during the event. Tickets cost $39.99 online and $60 at the gate. More information can be found at valleyfair.com.
The Dead End Hayride: Billing itself as “Minnesota’s most terrifying haunted hayride,” the Dead End Hayride rises again for its yearly run through Oct. 31. The event is at 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N. in Wyoming. Tickets are available at showclix.com/tickets/DEH2023.
Onionhead’s Revenge: Partnering with American Monsters, the Mall of America will be featuring an original spooking experience centered around the Onionhead monster that is being billed as “a new breed” of haunted house. For those desiring a scare, the haunted house will be running until Nov. 2. General admission, fast-pass and VIP ticket prices vary based on time and date and can be purchased at americanmonsters.com.
Minnesota Jack-O Lantern Spectacular: Through Nov. 4, the Minnesota Zoo invites families to walk its pumpkin-lined trail. This year’s theme is “Seasons of the Year” with pumpkins carved by artists. Ticket prices range from $18-24 for adults and $14-20 for children and are available at mnzoo.org/jols-2023.
Haunted Basement: A Party To Die For: Minneapolis nonprofit The Haunted Basement transforms Travail Kitchen and Amusements at 4134 Hubbard Ave. N. in Robbinsdale into a spine-tingling dining experience with a 10-course Halloween-themed tasting menu and cocktails. The dinner event starts at 5:45 p.m. and runs Wednesdays to Saturdays until Nov. 4, as well as Tuesday, Oct. 31. Tickets available at exploretock.com/travailkitchen.
Halloween Extravaganza: Dodge Nature Center’s Shepard Farm site in Cottage Grove is celebrating Halloween with a special event for all ages. Trick-or-treat through the woods, meet slithery creatures or ride on a hay wagon. The public can also take part in field games to win extra treats, then settle in for some science skits. Food will be available for purchase. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Admission at the gate is $10 per person (children ages two and under get in free). Pre-registration tickets are $8, but registration closes by noon on Friday, Oct. 27. The nature center’s Cottage Grove farm is located at 8946 70th St. S. Info/register at Dodgenaturecenter.org.
Harmon Park Trick-or-Treating: The city of West St. Paul invites residents trick-or-treating on Halloween night to take a stop at the Harmon Park Neighborhood Center for treats and a rest at the bonfire. The center at 230 Bernard St. W. will be open to receive trick-or-treaters from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Info on the city’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/cityofwsp.