25 things to do for Halloween in the Twin Cities

The amount of Halloween related events in October can be overwhelming. This list may be a good place to start.

1) Trail of Terror

WHEN: Oct. 9-Oct. 31 Open from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights, 7-11 p.m. on Sundays

WHERE: 3525 145th St. W., Shakopee

ADMISSION: $16.95 advanced, $19.95 general admission Box office closes at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays, and 10 p.m. on Sundays

It's all about walking — or running — through a house full of bugs and creepy crawlies, a night in jail gone wrong, a pub crawl and zombie paintball.

2) Halloween Lights on York Ave/Schultz Family Lights

WHEN: Oct. 1-Oct. 31; dusk to 10 p.m.

WHERE: 1526 York Ave., St. Paul

ADMISSION: Free, accepting donations for the Merrick Food Shelf

Come admire the work of seven neighbors who strung 15,000 twinkling Halloween-themed lights, blowups and wire frames displayed on both sides of their street.

3) Boo-ology

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 31; noon to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul

ADMISSION: Free for kids 12 and under in costume

Science Museum adds hands-on science activities with a Halloween spin to regular permanent exhibits.

4) Victorian Ghost Stories

WHEN: Oct. 23-Oct. 31. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 31; 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., St Paul

ADMISSION: $12/$10 Minnesota Historical Society members

In the dimly lit parlor of the former home of a local railroad magnate, the historical society is putting together readings by costumed actors of 19th-century spooky-themed stories, as well as "true" ghost stories. Then visitors will tour the Hill House.

5) The Great Pumpkin Fest

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 25; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Landmark Center, 75 Fifth St. W., St Paul

ADMISSION: Free

This event has storytelling, a costume parade, arts and crafts and delicious candy and treats.

6) Minnesota History Center Day of the Dead

WHEN: Sunday Oct. 25; noon-4 p.m.

WHERE: 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St Paul

ADMISSION: $12 adults; $10 college and senior; $6 children; free for Minnesota Historical Society members and children 4 and under

The Minnesota History Center's Day of the Dead celebration includes a puppet show, samples of Mexican hot chocolate and Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead), community-made ofrendas, Mexican folk song and dance and an exhibit featuring Mexican printmaking.

7) West Side of Saint Paul, 16th Annual Dia de los Muertos

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 24; event starts at 1 p.m; procession at 2 p.m.

WHERE: El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul

ADMISSION: Free

All are invited to build ofrendas — altars honoring or remembering lost loved ones — make masks, follow a neighborhood procession and see an Aztec dance ceremony.

8) Dia de los Muertos and Halloween at Midtown Global Market

WHAT: Dia de los Muertos

WHEN: Oct. 23-Nov. 1; Friday, Oct. 23; Friday, Oct. 30 and Nov. 1

Festivities for Dia de los Muertos include an ofrenda, Day of the Dead mask decoration, and a traditional Aztec dance performance.

WHAT: Halloween Trick or treat

On Halloween, kids can stock up on internationally sourced treats.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m.

WHERE: 920 E. Lake St. #G10, Minneapolis

9) Seventh Annual Halloween Fearless 5K

Chase your fears away in Maple Grove in this 5K and 1.5-mile fun fitness walk. First 300 people who register for the 5K get breakfast, beer, Irish coffee, cold and hot light beverages ($20 value) at Claddagh Irish Pub & Restaurant.

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 31; 9 a.m. start

WHERE: Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove, MN7890 Main St. N., Maple Grove

ADMISSION: $35 pre-registration; $40 from Oct. 26-28; $50 on race day

10) Murder Mystery Dinner and DJ Dance Party

WHEN: Oct. 31; 6:30 p.m. for dinner; no cover for costume party

WHERE: Marin Restaurant and Bar, 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

ADMISSION: Murder mystery dinner tickets are $75 per person

Marin Restaurant and Bar is hosting a three-hour interactive murder mystery show served with a three course dinner. After dinner, there will be a costume party with spooky cocktails such as the Beetle Juice and a costume contest for a chance to a one-night stay at the Le Meridien Chambers and brunch for two at Marin.

11) Como-Harriet Streetcar Line Trolleys

WHAT: Ghost Trolley, Transylvania Trolley, Trick 'r Trolley

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 23, Saturday Oct. 24 and Sunday Oct. 25: various times

ADMISSION: $2 - $5 per passenger

WHAT: Ghost Trolley Late Shop (Not recommended for children)

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 25; 8-9 p.m.

ADMISSION: $5

The Ghost Trolley Late Shop is of adult nature and is not recommended for children. It lasts 45 minutes.

WHERE: Linden Hills Station, Queen Avenue South at West 42nd Street or Lake Calhoun platform on Richfield Road just south of West 36th Street.

The three Halloween-themed trolley rides offer a family friendly, 15- to 20-minute trick-or-trip.

12) ZooBoo

This non-scary Halloween festival is for families. Two hundred live costumed characters mingle with kids along an outdoor path. ZooBoo offers families a safe trick-or-treating alternative.

WHEN: Oct. 24-25; gates open from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Eastbrook Drive, St. Paul

ADMISSION: Advance tickets $6, $7 at the gate

13) HowlZooWeen

WHEN: Month of October, events and times vary

WHERE: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley

ADMISSION: Regular admission; free for zoo members

Animals will be fed Halloween-themed treats and participants will be treated to scavenger hunts, hay mazes and the chance to meet creatures like reptiles, lynx kittens and bats.

14) Halloween Skate at the Burnsville Ice Center

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 25

WHERE: Burnsville Ice Center, 251 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville

ADMISSION: Free

Trick-or-treat around the rink before you hit up your neighborhood with discounted $2 skate rental and free admission, plus free private lessons for new skaters.

15) Twin Cities Horror Festival

WHEN: Oct. 22-Nov. 1

WHERE: Southern Theater, 1420 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis

ADMISSION: Tickets $14- $15

A series of horrific and murderous shows, including "Epidemic," a play about 11 people who get locked in a room with a killer disease that eats you alive.

16) ValleySCARE

WHEN: Weekends, Sept. 19-Nov 1; times vary between 11 a.m. and midnight

WHERE: 1 Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee

ADMISSION: Tickets range from $29.99 and up

Choose between daytime family focused Great Pumpkin Fest!, or its older, nighttime cousin: Halloween Haunt.

17) Wabasha Street Caves

WHEN: Various times

WHERE: 215 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul

ADMISSION: Between $10 and $25, depending on show

Ghosts & Graves, Caves & Graves and Lost Souls tours take visitors on cave tours.

18) The Soap Factory's Haunted Basement

WHEN: Gallery hours: Wednesdays-Fridays 1-7 p.m. and Sundays 12-5 p.m.

Basement hours: Oct. 3-Nov 1; times range between 6 -10 p.m.

WHERE: Soap Factory, 514 Second St. S.E., Minneapolis

ADMISSION: Tickets range $25-$40, $10 tickets for 'Fraidy Cat tours Oct. 11-25

Get set loose in a house of horrors tailored for maximum fear.

19) FrightFarm Haunted House

WHEN: Every Friday and Saturday night in October; 7 p.m.-11 p.m.

WHERE: 2020 White Bear Ave., Maplewood

ADMISSION: $10

This haunted house is not recommended for young children, people with heat conditions, people prone to seizures or pregnant women.

20) 50th and France's Annual Pumpkin Fest

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 24; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Trick-or-treating starts at 10 a.m. All other activities start at 11 a.m.

WHERE: West 50th Street and France Avenue, Edina

ADMISSION: Free

Edina's family-orientated day supplements the standard October's end trick-or-treating and face painting, pumpkin carving and horse drawn trolley rides.

21) Anoka, Halloween Capital of the World

WHEN: Events run from Oct. 1-Oct. 31

WHERE: Various, in Anoka

ADMISSION: Varies by event

Come to the self-proclaimed Halloween mecca of the world for a slew of spooky events — from a 5K run (and one-mile fitness walk) to its annual Grand Day Parade, Halloween wine tasting, Halloween Bingo and the Ghosts of Anoka and Monuments to Life Cemetery walking tours.

22) Totally Awesome 80s Halloween Weekend

WHEN: Oct. 29-31, 6 p.m.-11 p.m.

WHERE: Promenade Stage at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 296 E. Broadway, Bloomington

ADMISSION: Free

Mystic Lake is throwing it back to the '80s for their Halloween celebration. The event includes drink specials, games, a lip sync contest, '80s hair styling and a photo station. Come jam out to Brat Pack Radio and other '80s hits in your bomber jacket and acid wash jeans and bright neon clothing.

23) Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze

WHEN: Weekends from Sep. 19 until Oct. 25; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

WHERE: 8001 109th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park

ADMISSION: $10 online, $12 at gate; Kids under 36 inches are free.

Come enjoy Minnesota's largest corn maze. This year the corn maze celebrates the Minnesota Wild's 15-year anniversary. Ticket prices include live music, a corn pit, straw bale maze, hayrides and much more.

24) Great Pumpkin Fest

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 31; 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

WHERE: The Shops at West End, 1621 West End Blvd., St. Louis Park

ADMISSION: Free; accepting nonperishable items

Trick-or-treating, costume contests and other various games and activities around these shops in St. Louis Park.

25) Monster Bash at Mall of America

WHEN: Oct. 23-24, 30-31, 5-10 p.m.

WHERE: Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America

ADMISSION: Monster Bash activities in the park free for guests. Unlimited ride wristbands, $23.99

The amusement park adds unlit rides, an all-new light show and costume parties — as well as throwing in a free treat bag for the first 1,000 ride ticket purchases on event nights.

WHAT: Fright Lights Halloween Spectacular

WHEN: Oct. 1-Oct. 31; 7:30 p.m. nightly

WHERE: Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America

Daily light and music show for the month of October.

WHAT: Howl-O-Ween

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 31

WHERE: Mall of America

Kids can continue Halloween by trick-or-treating at participating stores at the Mall of America with their parents.

Correction (Oct. 22): The play "Epidemic" was identified incorrectly in an earlier version of this story.