Fall is in the air, so Halloween will be here shortly. Whether you’re looking for something truly terrifying to celebrate the scariest season of the year or you want something more relaxed, these Twin Cities Halloween events have you covered.

St. Paul

Meet the author at Union Depot: Join author Marcie R. Rendon for a reading and discussion of her new mystery book, “Where They Last Saw Her” at 6 p.m. Wednesday at 214 Fourth St. E. The event is free and will include appetizers and a cash bar. Register at union-depot.ticketleap.com/free-author-event/.

Fall Art Crawl at Union Depot: A variety of artists, including painters, photographers and jewelry designers, will display their works from Friday through Sunday at 214 Fourth St. E. Guests can meet the artists, buy their creations and take part in Union Depot giveaways. Learn more at uniondepot.org/event/st-paul-art-crawl-at-union-depot-5/2024-10-04/.

Dinner and a Scare 2: After a sold-out run last year, Dinner and a Scare is back with a food truck, cash bar, Halloween-themed activities and a choral concert featuring the Minnesota Renaissance Choir and other guest artists. The event is Oct. 11 at 480 Prior Ave N. Food and bar service starts at 5:30 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. More information can be found at eventbrite.com/e/dinner-and-a-scare-2-tickets-1006855811837.

The Minnesota Zoo hosts its sixth-annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Apple Valley, from Sept. 28 through Nov. 2, 2024. (Courtesy of the Minnesota Zoo)

Minnesota Children’s Museum’s Halloween Party: The Minnesota Children’s Museum is hosting two nights of kid-friendly fun with a dance party, trick-or-treating, games and crafts on Oct. 25 and 26. Tickets include admission into the museum and a trick-or-treat bag. Tickets are available at mcm.org/halloween-party.

Howl-o-ween: Think Halloween, but with a science twist. Hunt for wolf figurines in the galleries and make crafts with the Science Museum of Minnesota. All activities are included with museum admission. Howl-o-ween runs from Oct. 25 to Oct. 27 at 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. Learn more at new.smm.org/visit/events/halloween.

BOOnion Depot: Fun for the whole family, BOOnion Depot is complete with crafts, dancing, food vendors and character meet-and-greets. This free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 27  in the Waiting Room at 214 Fourth St. E. Find more information at uniondepot.org/event/boonion-depot-free-halloween-event-2/.

Union Depot Ghost Tours: Stroll through the Union Depot and learn the haunted history of one of St. Paul’s most iconic buildings. The tours run now through Oct. 30 at 214 Fourth St. E. Tickets are available at cyncitytours.com/walking-tours.

Minneapolis

Beetlejuice Drag Brunch: One of many Halloween-themed drag brunches offered during October, Flip Phone is hosting drag performances inspired by the film Beetlejuice, at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 at 825 Hennepin Ave. More information can be found on Flip Phone’s website: flipphoneevents.com/mplsdragbrunch.

Horrorthon VIII: Drink the Blood of Horrorthon: Join the Trylon Cinema for a nine-hour-long horror movie marathon, with both a daytime and overnight option available. The event is at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Oct. 12. Tickets are available in person only at 2820 E. 33rd St. Learn more here: trylon.org/film/horrorthon-viii-drink-the-blood-of-horrorthon.

Minneapolis Halloween Half Marathon: Want an active option for the spooky season? Join the MN Run Series for a 5 kilometer-, 10 kilometer- or half-marathon race on Oct. 26 at Father Hennepin Bluff Park at 420 SE Main St. Costumes encouraged. More information is available here: minneapolishalloweenhalf.com.

First Avenue’s Annual Halloween Party & Costume Contest: Put your best Halloween costume on and get ready to dance the night away at one of the Twin Cities’ most iconic venues. Featuring numerous DJ’s and more than $1,000 in cash prizes. The event is on Oct. 31, and tickets are available at first-avenue.com/event/2024-10-halloween-party-and-costume-contest.

Suburbs

Pavek After Dark: A Minnesota Frankenstein: Join the Twin Cities’ Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication for their live radio adaptation of “Frankenstein” featuring members of the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The show is at 6 p.m. on Oct. 19 at 3517 Raleigh Avenue, St. Louis Park. Tickets are available at pavekmuseum.org/visit/events.

Valleyscare: A horror-filled spin on Valleyfair, guests can take part in haunted mazes, scare zones and other live entertainment options. Valleyscare is a separately-ticketed event and runs select Fridays and Saturdays until Oct. 26 at 1 Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee. Tickets can be found at valleyfair.com/events/valleyscare.

Tricks and Treats at Valleyfair: Those who want a more family-friendly Valleyfair Halloween experience can attend Tricks and Treats, which features dance parties, costume contests, crafts and themed games. Tricks and Treats is on Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 27 at 1 Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee. Find tickets and more information at valleyfair.com/events/tricks-and-treats.

The Dead End Hayride: The Wyoming haunted hayride, self-claimed to be the most terrifying in Minnesota, is back for another year. The hayride runs until Nov. 2 at 28186 Kettle River Blvd. N, Wyoming. Find tickets on their website: thedeadendhayride.com.

Minnesota Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Dubbed “part pumpkin patch and part art installation,” guests walk the trails and take in the sights of 5,000 intricately-carved pumpkins to celebrate the fall season. The spectacular runs until Nov. 2 at 13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley. Tickets are available at the Minnesota Zoo’s website: mnzoo.org.

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