Weekend events: Oct. 21-23
As Halloween draws near, the Twin Cities metro is looking spookier. Discover all the fall fun with KSTP’s events planner below.
Friday
Fearless kids and adventurous adults can check out the RAD Zoo’s Halloween best with shows at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Friday. The zoo will bring reptiles and amphibians to the hands-on, educational event at Nickelodeon’s West Market Square in the Mall of America.
Saturday
Saturday has a little something for everyone.
Cider enthusiasts can test their limits – whether it be walking, jogging, or running – to earn a free locally made cider at the finish line of a “5k-ish course” in Minneapolis. Learn more here.
Animal lovers can bring their dogs to Growl-o-ween from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Three Dog Bakery in Apple Valley, then head on over – without the dogs this time, per the request of Wanna Llama and Llama Mama MN – to meet llamas from 10 a.m. to noon in Edina.
Shoppers can get their fall fix at the Annual Pumpkin Fall Festival throughout The Shops at West End in St. Louis Park.
Experience creativity and culture at the St. Paul RiverCentre Saturday afternoon and evening. The Center for Hmong Arts & Talent is showcasing local cultural artisans for the Arts and Crafts Fashion Expo.
At night, all ages can get down with Nickelodeon at the Shock + Ride Dance Party, complete with a DJ and Nickelodeon character appearances. Guests can enter the Booniverse near The LEGO Store at the Mall of America. The party goes 7:30-9 p.m., and if you can’t make it this week, Team Nick is holding the same event on the 29th.
Adults only – sorry, kids – can participate in the 5th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl in St. Paul. Get your costume and your designated driver ready for fun and prizes.
And finally, families can kick off Halloween early at Minneapolis’ Halloween in the Park from 1-3 p.m. Humans and dogs can participate in the costume parade, so come one, come all in your October best.
Saturday and Sunday
Professional pancake art comes to Bloomington this weekend as Dancakes puts on an edible pancake batter art show. Showtimes are Saturday at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Mall of America.
While you’re in Bloomington, take a shot at the YMCA’s Fall Resilinator Adventure Race, which has separate events for families and adults. Adults can race Saturday evening, while kids and families can race Sunday afternoon.
Sunday
Sunday, the Oakdale recreation pumpkin carving contest begins. People can bring submissions to the Discovery Center from October 23-26 for judging during the Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt on October 27. Kids 12 and under can win Best, Spookiest or Bumpkin Pumpkin awards.
For an educational experience, the Twin Cities Jewish Community Annual Conference on Mental Health runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it’s free for everyone. Attendees can hear from keynote speaker Nate Cannon and join breakout sessions.
To learn and celebrate at the same time, people can join Minnesota’s Asian community at the Taste of Asia event in St. Paul. Enjoy Asian food, performances and activities from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Union Depot.
People who don’t want to run for cider on Saturday morning or endure a bar crawl on Saturday night can have the best of both worlds at the Twin Cities Cidery Tour Sunday. Or you could do all three!
To add dogs to the mix, go to Paws & Pints at Lake Monster Brewing and help St. Paul Pet Hospital raise money for its Veterinary Care Foundation. You can’t go wrong with dog photos, peanut butter painting and locally brewed beer.
Fashion-forward dogs can go to the Malcolm Yards Market Sunday afternoon to have their costume judged during Howl-O-Ween. Keep the Halloween and dog puns coming!
In the evening, Christ Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie will have a host of Halloween activities at its Fall Festival.
Finish off the weekend by making a lantern bag for the American Cancer Society’s #LightsOfHope display at the state capitol. People can honor those affected by cancer from 6-7:30 p.m.
All weekend
The Anoka County Fair is kicking off its first ever Fall Festival with the help of the local Knights of Columbus Haunted House. Events, including both kid- and adult-friendly attractions, go from 1-6 p.m. Oct. 20-22. Tickets are $10 for kids and $15 for adults.
Not a fan of Halloween? Prefer something like, maybe, cows? Head on over to the Minnesota Beef Expo at the state fairgrounds. Admission is free to the public, and events run Oct. 20-23.