Journey into the depths of Rochester's Halloween horrors with our expertly researched guide, your ticket to the most spine-chilling events and supernatural spectacles. Discover spooky spots suited to every supernatural seeker.
Popular Events: One standout attraction is the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, where intricately carved pumpkins light up the night, offering an enchanting view for all ages. In addition, the unique Haunting Experience on Highway 61 features immersive storytelling and eerie encounters designed to thrill visitors. And the Rochester Horror: Fright at the Farm is something you definitely don't want to miss, packed with thrilling activities on a haunted farm. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Rochester
- Rochester Horror: Fright at the Farm (Zumbrota)
- Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular (Apple Valley)
- Ridgefest 2024
- The Haunting Experience on Highway 61 (Cottage Grove)
- Halloweekend Hangover Pub Crawl
- Screamin’ Green Hauntoween (Bloomington)
- Boo at the Zoo (Duluth)
- Sekapp Orchard
- Waldoch Farm Corn Maze (Lino Lakes)
- CRAVE ROCHESTER Halloween Late Night Drag Show
See these and even more events listed below!
Rochester Area Haunted Experiences
The Haunting Experience on Highway 61
What to Expect:
Experience Minnesota's longest-running haunted hayride and a terrifying haunted house filled with terrors and dark entities.
Description:
The Haunting Experience on Highway 61 is Minnesota's premier haunted attraction, offering a thrilling and heart-pounding adventure. Located just a few minutes south of St. Paul, this event features a fan-favorite haunted house and the longest-running haunted hayride in Minnesota. With a legacy of terror spanning 38 years, it promises an intensely scary experience filled with terrors, dark entities, and maniacs lurking in every corner. Perfect for those who love a good fright, it welcomes guests of all ages for a night of unforgettable fun.
Where: Cottage Grove | More Info: The Haunting Experience on Highway 61
Rochester Horror: Fright at the Farm
What to Expect:
The only haunted cannabis maze in the country.
Description:
Rochester Horror: Fright at the Farm is a unique haunted attraction located at Willow’s Keep Farm in Zumbrota, Minnesota. This event features a haunted cannabis maze, live actors, and special effects. It is designed to frighten and amuse visitors, with a suggested age range of 10-99 years old (under 13 accompanied by an adult). The event includes a blackout event every night, where all lights are turned off, and visitors must find their way out with only an LED candle.
Where: Zumbrota | More Info: Rochester Horror: Fright at the Farm
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Rochester
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
What to Expect:
Immersive pumpkin art installations in a zoo setting.
Description:
Experience the enchanting Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo, featuring over 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins depicting the wonders of the world and the joys of travel. This family-friendly event is a magical way to connect with nature and celebrate autumn nights in Minnesota.
Where: Apple Valley | More Info: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Ridgefest 2024
What to Expect:
A free fall festival with the largest trunk-or-treat in Rochester, featuring a variety of activities for all ages.
Description:
Ridgefest 2024 is a free fall festival and trunk-or-treat event in Rochester, MN. It features a massive trunk-or-treat, various games, inflatables for all ages, free food including hotdogs, cotton candy, ice cream, and chili. The event also includes a chili cook-off with three categories and activities like crafts and face painting. It promises to be a fun and memorable experience for the entire community.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Ridgefest 2024
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween
What to Expect:
A Halloween-themed event with various spooky crafts and activities designed for families.
Description:
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween at the Crayola Experience Mall of America is a spooktacular family event filled with witchtacular crafts, monsterific attractions, and a themed scavenger hunt. Enjoy activities like painting werewolf masks, creating mummy door hangers, and molding playful pumpkins. This event offers a fun and festive Halloween experience for all ages.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Screamin’ Green Hauntoween
Sekapp Orchard
What to Expect:
A variety of seasonal activities including U-Pick apples from dozens of varieties and fresh produce.
Description:
Sekapp Orchard offers a variety of seasonal activities, including U-Pick apples from dozens of varieties, fresh produce, and pure honey. The orchard is family-friendly and located just three miles from downtown Rochester. Visitors can enjoy these offerings during specific hours throughout the year.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Sekapp Orchard
Boo at the Zoo
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with various fun activities for all ages.
Description:
Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween event at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota. The event features trick-or-treating stations, a spooktacular craft boutique, special Halloween-themed animal treats, food trucks, games, and activities. It is designed to be fun for kids without being scary, making it an annual fall tradition for many families.
Where: Duluth | More Info: Boo at the Zoo
SEA LIFE Underwater Pumpkin Carving
What to Expect:
Costumed divers carve pumpkins underwater alongside fish in the 300-foot-long Ocean Tunnel.
Description:
Witness the unique spectacle of underwater pumpkin carving at SEA LIFE at Mall of America. Costumed divers will carve pumpkins alongside hundreds of fish in the 300-foot-long Ocean Tunnel on Sundays at 11:30 AM and 1 PM. This event is included in general admission and offers a rare and fascinating Halloween experience.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: SEA LIFE Underwater Pumpkin Carving
Afton Apple Orchard Corn Maze
What to Expect:
The corn maze is a large, 15-acre attraction that provides a fun and challenging experience for visitors.
Description:
Afton Apple Orchard's 15-acre corn maze is a family-friendly fall activity that opens mid-September. The maze offers a fun and challenging experience amidst the beautiful orchard grounds, complemented by other seasonal attractions like hayrides, a petting farm, and straw mountain.
Where: Hastings | More Info: Afton Apple Orchard Corn Maze
Waldoch Farm Corn Maze
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Waldoch Farm Corn Maze is its themed corn maze with two phases, featuring Minnesota's iconic Goldy the Gopher.
Description:
Waldoch Farm Corn Maze is a family-friendly attraction featuring a unique corn maze with two phases, one for younger children and a longer, more challenging phase for adults. The maze is themed with Minnesota's iconic Goldy the Gopher and offers a fun experience with scenic hayrides to pick your own pumpkins and visits to the farm animals in the Joyer Barnyard.
Where: Lino Lakes | More Info: Waldoch Farm Corn Maze
Dehn's Pumpkins
What to Expect:
A variety of fun activities and delicious treats in a picturesque fall setting.
Description:
Dehn's Pumpkins offers a magical autumn experience with a wide selection of pumpkins, delightful hayrides, and various activities for all ages. Visitors can explore the bountiful pumpkin fields, enjoy festive celebrations, and indulge in delicious snacks like hot cheese curds and mini donuts. The patch is a perfect destination for fall fun, whether you're seeking the perfect pumpkin or simply looking to revel in the joys of autumn.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Dehn's Pumpkins
Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
A family-friendly pumpkin patch offering a variety of activities and attractions for kids and adults alike.
Description:
Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch is a beloved family destination in Austin, Minnesota, celebrating its 36th year. Visitors can pick their own pumpkins, enjoy wagon rides, and explore the farm's play areas. The patch is open daily from September 28 to October 31, offering a fun and memorable experience for all ages.
Where: Austin | More Info: Farmer John's Pumpkin Patch
The Escape Challenge
What to Expect:
A browser-based puzzle hunt with no installation required, offering a unique team challenge experience.
Description:
The Puzzle Hunt Challenge by Escape Challenge is an exciting team-based event where participants must solve puzzles and riddles to find clues. The game is accessible through a browser, and each team will have its own timer. The event takes place in Byron, Minnesota, and offers a fun and challenging experience for all participants.
Where: Rochester | More Info: The Escape Challenge
Unraveled Escape Room
What to Expect:
Immersive, themed escape room experiences tailored to different adventures and challenges.
Description:
Unraveled Escape Room offers immersive, themed experiences where participants are locked in a room and must find clues and solve puzzles to escape within 60 minutes. These interactive challenges are perfect for team building, parties, and fun activities for friends and family. Each room is designed to be an exciting adventure, whether you're exploring King Tutankhamun's tomb, embarking on a Nordic quest, or battling supervillains.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Unraveled Escape Room
Country Sun Farm
What to Expect:
Unique blend of farm activities and seasonal attractions.
Description:
Country Sun Farm in Lake Elmo, MN, offers a variety of fall activities including a free petting zoo, hayrides, gem mining, and a corn maze. Visitors can also explore the outdoor display area featuring a giant pumpkin, scarecrow, spider, and spooky haunted house. The farm is open 7 days a week, with freshly picked pumpkins, gourds, and squash available for purchase.
Where: Lake Elmo | More Info: Country Sun Farm
Circus After Dark (family-friendly portion)
What to Expect:
Unique feature: Offers a variety of aerial classes suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Description:
ROC City Circus in Rochester, NY, offers an exciting array of aerial classes including Aerial Silks, Static Trapeze, and Aerial Hoop. Whether you're a beginner or looking to advance your skills, their classes are designed to provide a fun and challenging experience. With options for 4-week sessions and one-time workshops, there's something for everyone. Plus, they offer youth classes and open practice sessions, making it a great place for families to enjoy together.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Circus After Dark (family-friendly portion)
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Rochester
Halloweekend Hangover Pub Crawl
What to Expect:
A $2000 prize value social media costume contest and exclusive drink specials make this event a standout Halloween celebration.
Description:
Halloweekend Hangover Pub Crawl in Rochester is an elite Halloween weekend event featuring exclusive drink specials, elite bar promotions, and a spooky atmosphere. Participants can enjoy over 6 venues, 2-3 vouchers for drinks or swag, a Halloween goodie bag, free entry into top-rated bars, and a free after-party. The event also includes a $2000 prize value social media costume contest, live music, and a photographer to capture the best moments. This is a unique and thrilling experience for Halloween enthusiasts.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Halloweekend Hangover Pub Crawl
CRAVE ROCHESTER Halloween Late Night Drag Show
What to Expect:
A dynamic and entertaining Halloween drag show with a lineup of talented performers.
Description:
Join Crave Rochester for a thrilling Halloween Late Night Drag Show featuring Rochester Girls, including Allota Shots, Jayda Clyne, and Sidonia Dudval, along with special guests. This 3-hour event promises an unforgettable night of drag performances, entertainment, and a post-show Late Night Happy Hour.