If there’s one thing we do well in the Twin Cities eastern metro it’s Halloween. With all the corn fields and farmland in Scandia, Lindstrom, Anoka, Stillwater and Afton, there’s a Halloween event just a stones throw away. This year Halloween is back in full force and ready to scare children and adults alike. From haunted hayrides to pumpkin carving spectacular to trick or treating – there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Halloween season!

Jack O’Lantern Spectacular
When: Now through November 4th, 2023
Where: Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Blvd
Apple Valley, MN

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular returns bigger and better than ever at the Minnesota Zoo! Gather your family and friends and come explore our glowing trail with thousands of artistically carved pumpkins. This year’s trail will lead you on a magical journey through “Seasons of the Year” featuring artists’ new creations and plenty of seasonal fun. Secure your tickets today! All tickets are sold online only and valid only for the date and time selected. Tickets are non-refundable.
Thank you for your support of the Minnesota Zoo and our mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife.

Scarecrow Tour
When: October 18th – 22nd, 2023
Where: Waconia, MN

A community favorite, the Scarecrow Tour is a self-guided tour you can participate in with your loved ones. Waconia Chamber-member businesses create scarecrows for the community to tour outside their shops. This event continues to be a terrific way to showcase Waconia businesses and organizations and bring people out to explore Waconia.

Dead End Hayride
When: October 17th – 31st, 2023
Where: Pinehaven Farm
28186 Kettle River Blvd
Wyoming, MN

Dead End Hayride: Minnesota’s premiere haunted hayride experience — brings the scares into a seriously dark, deep, and isolated 160-acre wooded trail and farmland. The thriller stars more than 200 zombies, monsters, creeps, and other deranged encounters. After the slow, creepy fright ride, guests are dropped off to explore dozens of unique sets and haunted scenes. From crazed clowns and barbaric butchers to dazzling pyrotechnics, you won’t be able to look away (even though you may want to).

The Haunting Experience
When: October 18th – 31st, 2023 (Wednesdays – Saturdays)
Where: 10900 E Pt Douglas Rd
Cottage Grove, MN

Welcome to The Haunting Experience, the scariest of all the Halloween attractions and haunted houses in Minnesota. It is located just a few minutes south of St. Paul, along Highway 61 in Cottage Grove. We invite you to visit us this October…if you dare.

We offer a variety of terrifying attractions and the very best in Halloween entertainment. Enter our fan-favorite Haunted House and jump on Minnesota’s longest-running Haunted Hayride Attraction located near the Twin Cities, MN.

Haunted History Trolley Tours
When: Now through October 31st, 2023
Where: Downtown Stillwater
Stillwater, MN

Welcome to the 6th Annual – Stillwater Haunted History Tours

On a dark and rainy evening, you leisurely board your trolley to tour one of the oldest cities in Minnesota, but this tour goes downhill quickly when uninvited characters randomly begin boarding. Traveling the city to areas of Stillwater’s haunted past, these true-to-life stories told by actors wandering the aisles unearthing ghosts of the past. Each creepy character brought back to life to tell their own true horror story of Stillwater long ago!!!

Ghosts of Anoka Walking Tour
When: Now through October 27th, 2023
Where: Anoka County Historical Society
2135 N 3rd Avenue
Anoka, MN

Stories abound in Anoka of odd happenings and eerie encounters on the Ghosts of Anoka Walking Tours. Anoka County Historical Society’s costumed tour guides will take you on a walk through the historic neighborhoods of Anoka, sharing stories of the past along the way.

Sixty percent history, 40 percent folklore; these stories are just part of the fun you will experience on your Ghosts of Anoka tour!

Onionhead’s Revenge
When: Now through October 30th, 2023
Where: Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN

According to local legend, “Onionhead” is the cruel nickname forced upon a young man from Slidell, Louisiana, who was brutally murdered by a vigilante mob after being wrongly accused for the murder of a young woman. Consumed by rage, the assailants hacked his body into 13 pieces and scattered them in a nearby cemetery.

Swearing vengeance, his mother put a hex on the townspeople who took her son. In the months following, those responsible for Onionhead’s murder were each victims of gruesome deaths.

Locals still report sightings of a monstrosity, hideously stitched together, stalking the cemetery… and out for revenge.

Nickelodeon Boo-niverse®
When: Now through October 31st, 2023
Where: Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN

You’re invited to celebrate Halloween at Nickelodeon Boo-niverse®! Throughout the month of October, Nickelodeon Universe will transform into a spooky adventure full of Halloween frights. Watch a nightly Fright Lights show, boogie down during the Shock and Ride Halloween Dance Party, and watch live pumpkin carvings.

Pinehaven Fall Festival
When: October 17th – 31st, 2023
Where: Pinehaven Farm
28186 Kettle River Blvd
Wyoming, MN

Experience Minnesota’s most fun-filled family fall festival at Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota. The 30+ activities and adventures include launching pumpkins out of a cannon, blasting apples, diving into a massive corn pit filled with 4,000 barrels of kernels, ascending a giant Straw Bale Mountain, picking pumpkins, zooming down a zipline, super-sized slides, themed weekends and more. Families can snack and refresh with a sweet and savory supply of treats and lemonade, root beer and coffee.

Anoka Halloween Light Up The Night Parade
When: October 21st, 2023
Where: Anoka Main Street
1922 1st Ave S
Anoka, MN

Come check out a full line-up of fun and colorfully lit floats. This parade is always a crowd favorite. Join Anoka Halloween and Light Up the Night!

The parade starts at 7 PM at the corner of 1st Ave and Main St. Spaces along Main St. can be reserved after 4 PM.

Trick or Treat for Kids on Main Street
When: October 29th, 2023 | 1-4pm
Where: Downtown Stillwater
101 Main Street S
Stillwater, MN

Bring the kids out to Main Street in their best Halloween costumes for some trick or treating in the shops!