Minneapolis Halloween Race
Costumed run along the Mississippi River benefiting Shriners Children's Hospital.
18 unique & unusual Halloween events in Minneapolis and nearby.
From the iconic Anoka Halloween Parade to Minneapolis' own family-friendly BareBones' Annual Halloween Extravaganza, the Twin Cities area offers numerous ways to celebrate. Events stretch across various towns, with some ticketed gatherings and others offering free community activities.
If you seek immersive, ticketed horror experiences, consider Nowhere Escape in Inver Grove Heights. For those preferring an outdoor, classic fall farm atmosphere, Knapton's Raspberries, Pumpkins & Orchard near Rogers awaits.
Indoor vendor trick-or-treating, face painting, and treat bag decorating.
Apocalyptic Minneapolis pub crawl featuring drink vouchers, party bus, and after party.
Explore St. Paul's gangster history with a ghostly twist.
The nation's longest running live performance horror festival.
See all the unique and unusual Halloween events in one place.
October is these operators' entire year: weekend slots for well-reviewed tours sell out two to three weeks ahead, and the final two weekends go first. Book September for peak dates, and consider weeknights, same stories, smaller groups, easier booking. For flexible plans, note the operator's cancellation window, commonly 24-48 hours, so a weather pivot doesn't forfeit the fee.
Check the schedule grid before leaving: parades, contests, and live sets anchor the day, so build around the two you care about most. Arrive before the midday crush for parking and short vendor lines, carry water and sunscreen even in October, and set a meeting point the moment you enter. Two anchored events plus open wandering beats a rigid hour-by-hour plan.
Ask three specifics before booking a tour: total distance, surface type, cobblestones and hills are common on historic routes, and whether the group stops to stand for long stretches, which tires people faster than walking. Many operators run shorter or slower-paced versions on request. Festivals on fairgrounds are generally manageable; grass fields after rain are the exception, so call that week.