Colorfully lit floats fill downtown Anoka during the Light Up the Night Parade, returning Oct. 17, 2026.
As the Halloween Capital of the World, Anoka, Minnesota makes Halloween a monthlong celebration, with illuminated floats, pumpkin carving, decorated houses and plenty of reasons to visit downtown. The 2026 Grande Day Parade takes place Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m. Here are upcoming events to help you plan your visit, plus tips for parade day.
Check the official Anoka Halloween calendar before heading out, especially for events with locations or details still pending.
Also on Give Me The Mike, find a guide with more than 50 front yards decorated for Halloween!
Halloween Events in Anoka 2026
Anoka’s Walking Dead Pub Crawl
Get into the Halloween spirit with a night out in downtown Anoka. Pick up a toe tag at a participating venue, collect stamps at each stop and turn in your completed tag for a chance to win prizes.
When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, 5 p.m.–1 a.m.
Where: Participating downtown Anoka venues
Admission: Free to join; food and drinks cost extra.
Halloween Bingo Nights
Wear your costume for an evening of bingo and local business gift card prizes. Food donations for the ACBC food shelf will also be accepted.
When: Mondays, Oct. 12 and 19, 2026, 6–8 p.m.; doors open at 5:15 p.m.
Where: American Legion Post 102, 400 W. Main St., Anoka
Admission: 25 cents per card.
Children’s Costume Contest
Let the kids show off their Halloween costumes at this free contest for ages 0–10. Expect kid-friendly Halloween music, a balloon arch and a special treat bag for each participant.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 10 a.m.
Where: Riverfront Memorial Park, 2201 N. Second Ave., Anoka
Admission: Free; ages 0–10.
Register online through the event page or on the day of the contest.
Children’s Pumpkin Carving Contest
Kids can carve a pumpkin and then see their creation roll down Main Street! Anoka Halloween’s free pumpkin carving contest is open to children ages 3–12, with awards for the best carved pumpkins. The pumpkins are cleaned out beforehand and will be displayed on a float in the Light Up the Night Parade that evening.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 1–2:30 p.m.
Where: Anoka; the event organizer has not yet confirmed the location.
Admission: Free; ages 3–12.
Light Up the Night Parade
Anoka’s Main Street gets a little brighter during the Light Up the Night Parade, featuring colorful floats covered in lights. Make an evening of this free Halloween outing: after the parade, walk over to City Hall for the annual bonfire, food trucks and Anoka Halloween merchandise tent.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 7–8 p.m.
Where: Main Street in downtown Anoka. The parade starts at First Avenue and Main Street.
Admission: Free.
Tip: You can reserve a viewing spot along Main Street after 4 p.m. that day. Items placed before that time will be removed. Bring chairs and warm layers for the parade and bonfire.
Medallion Hunt
Follow the clues in search of the Anoka Halloween medallion. The calendar lists two hunts, with individuals and teams welcome and one cash prize per hunt.
When: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, noon–4:30 p.m.
Where: Anoka; meeting location and additional details are pending.
Admission: $3.
Big Parade of Little People
Watch local elementary students parade through downtown in their Halloween costumes. Marching bands join this longtime Anoka Halloween tradition.
When: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, 1:15–2:15 p.m.
Where: Main Street in downtown Anoka
Admission: Free.
Halloween House Decorating Public Viewing
Explore the Halloween displays created by participating households in Anoka and nearby neighborhoods. Check the scare ratings before bringing young children; some displays are intended for older audiences.
When: Oct. 23–24 and Oct. 30–31, 2026, 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Participating homes within five miles of Anoka City Hall; the address list is pending.
Admission: Free.
Anoka Gray Ghost 5K and Walk
Join the costume-filled run and walk that takes place ahead of the Grande Day Parade. Parade spectators can settle in early to cheer on participants.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 12:45 p.m.
Where: Anoka; see the race website for the start and course maps.
Admission: Registration required to participate; check the race website for current pricing.
Grande Day Parade
Plan an afternoon in downtown Anoka for the Grande Day Parade. The 1.5-mile route starts at State Street and West Main Street, follows Main Street to Fifth Avenue and ends at South Street/Military Road.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 1–3:30 p.m.
Where: Main Street and Fifth Avenue, Anoka
Admission: Free.
Keep reading for advice for going to the Grande Day Parade.
Anoka Halloween Ambassador Coronation
Support Anoka Halloween’s ambassador program during its evening coronation celebration.
When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
Where: Anoka High School, 3939 Seventh Ave., Anoka
Admission: $10.
Boos and Bags Tournament
Grab a teammate for this all-ages bags tournament, with cash prizes and a prize for the best team costumes. The team fee includes a shirt and drink ticket for each player.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, starting at 5 p.m.; doors open at 4:30 p.m. Play may continue until 11 p.m.
Where: Anoka Lions Halloween Tent next to City Hall, 2015 First Ave. N., Anoka
Admission: $50 per team.
Register before Oct. 16 to guarantee your shirt size.
Good For Gary and Costume Contest
Spend Halloween night enjoying live music in the Lions tent. Neil Turner performs from 7–9 p.m., followed by Good For Gary from 9 p.m. to midnight. The costume contest takes place at midnight.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 7 p.m.–midnight
Where: Anoka Lions Halloween Tent, Second Avenue and Jackson Street, Anoka
Admission: $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
Tips for Going to the Grande Day Parade
Arrive before noon. The Gray Ghost starts at 12:45 p.m., and the race organizer says roads into town begin closing before noon. Aim to be parked and walking toward your viewing spot by late morning.
Choose your viewing spot. The parade follows Main Street from State Street to Fifth Avenue, then continues to South Street/Military Road. Pick a spot with your parking location in mind.
Follow the chair rule. Spaces along Main Street and Fifth Avenue may be reserved after 4 a.m. on parade day. The city will remove chairs and blankets placed earlier. This is different from the night parade’s 4 p.m. rule.
Have a parking backup. Organizers list public parking at Second Avenue/Jackson Street, Fifth Avenue/Van Buren Street and First Avenue/Monroe Street, with designated accessible spaces. Nearby neighborhood streets offer additional parking. Follow posted restrictions and allow time to walk.
Find a restroom early. Portable toilets are placed every few blocks along the parade route.
Pack for an outdoor afternoon. Bring folding chairs, layers, blankets, water, snacks and a candy bag. Ear protection can help children who are sensitive to loud sounds.
Keep children at the curb. Parade participants are instructed to distribute candy near the curb instead of throwing it, to help prevent children from running into the street.
While you’re here, take a moment to read how I adapted after losing both parents before I was 25 years old and my journey with epilepsy.
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