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If you’re looking for things to do over MEA weekend, these family-friendly Minnesota events run during October 15–18, 2026, with free pumpkins, Halloween games, corn mazes, hands-on activities and a lantern walk along Lake Superior.
Find an outing close to home in the Twin Cities or build a fall day trip around an event in Greater Minnesota.
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If you’re looking for homes decked out for Halloween, check out this guide of 50+ displays around Minnesota!
Twin Cities and Nearby Events
Rocky’s Pumpkin Patch in Coon Rapids
Rocky’s Pumpkin Patch combines trick-or-treating with free fall activities. Kids can enjoy bounce houses, bingo and musical chairs while families meet local youth organizations.
Each child present can pick out one free pumpkin while supplies last. Costumes are welcome, and kids who dress up could win a prize.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Sand Creek Athletic Complex, 1008 Northdale Blvd., Coon Rapids
Admission: Free; concessions cost extra.
No attendee tickets or advance registration are listed. Arrive early if taking home a pumpkin is on your list.
Havoc at the Pavek in St. Louis Park
For an indoor Halloween outing, try Havoc at the Pavek: Local Legends. This escape-room-style adventure sends families through the museum to complete hands-on STEM experiments and investigate a mystery involving legendary creatures.
The experience takes about an hour, with start times scheduled every 30 minutes.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Pavek Museum, 3517 Raleigh Ave., St. Louis Park
Admission: Pay what you can with advance registration. Walk-up admission is $12 for adults and $7 for students ages 4–17 and military visitors.
Walk-ups are welcome, but you may need to wait for the next available start time. Costumes are encouraged.
Halloween Family Fun Day in Maple Grove
Maple Grove’s Halloween Family Fun Day is designed for ages 2–8, with Halloween games, a craft and a goodie bag filled with candy and treats. Have the kids wear their costumes.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, with sessions from 12:30–2 p.m. and 2:30–4 p.m.
Where: Weaver Lake Park, 8401 Maple Grove Pkwy., Maple Grove
Admission: $6 per child
The organizer offers online registration and welcomes walk-ups. Cash and credit cards are accepted for walk-up payments.
Spook-tacular Costume Party in Richfield
Bring the costumes out early for Richfield’s Spook-tacular Costume Party. This outdoor event includes a costume contest, Halloween scavenger hunt, festive music and games. All ages are welcome.
When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10–11:30 a.m.
Where: Augsburg Park, 7100 Nicollet Ave., Richfield
Admission: Free; no registration required.
MEA Fall Fun at Anoka County Farms in Ham Lake
Anoka County Farms opens earlier on Thursday and Friday for MEA, giving families more time to explore its fall activities. Kids can try pumpkin bowling, pedal tractors and the corn pit, and visit farm animals.
When: Oct. 15–16, noon–7 p.m.; Oct. 17–18, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Anoka County Farms, 125 Bunker Lake Blvd. NE, Ham Lake
Admission: $5 per person, paid at the gate. Some activities cost extra.
Bring cash: the farm does not accept debit or credit cards. Activities are weather-dependent.
Fresh Acres Fall Festival in Monticello
Fresh Acres adds Thursday and extended Friday hours for MEA weekend. Explore three corn mazes with interactive games, visit the farm animals, and let the kids play in the corn pit and on the inflatables.
Weekend wagon rides are included with admission, weather permitting. Pumpkins, animal feed, corn and apple cannons, and concessions cost extra.
When: Oct. 15–18, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Fresh Acres, 8102 72nd St. NE, Monticello
Admission: $13 per person ages 4–69. Ages 3 and younger and adults 70 and older are free.
Buy tickets at the door. Every visitor must be covered by a signed waiver; each adult completes their own, and children can be listed on one adult’s waiver.
Fall Fun at Brand Farms in Farmington
Brand Farms adds Thursday and Friday openings for MEA, giving families four days to enjoy apple picking, hayrides and the family activities field.
Admission includes a hay wagon ride to and from the orchard and activity areas. Apple picking, apple cannons and paintball cost extra.
When: Oct. 15–18, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Brand Farms, 18605 Biscayne Ave. W., Farmington
Admission: $7 per person; ages 2 and younger are free.
Light Up the Night Parade — Anoka
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, October 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.
Southern Minnesota Events
Fall Fest in Rochester
Start the long weekend with pumpkin painting, hay wagon rides and alpaca storytime at the History Center of Olmsted County. Families can also explore the historic farmstead, make fall crafts and visit the food trucks.
When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 1–4 p.m.
Where: History Center of Olmsted County, 1195 West Circle Dr. SW, Rochester
Admission: Advance tickets are $5 per child and $2 per adult. At the door, admission is $8 per child and $4 per adult. Members receive discounted pricing.
Register in advance to guarantee a pumpkin for each participating child. The event happens rain or shine.
Super Mario Party in Rochester
Rochester Public Library is hosting a Super Mario Party with analog games and activities for families. This is an indoor option for the first afternoon of MEA break, especially if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
The program welcomes children and families, with activities described as suitable for all ages.
When: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Where: Rochester Public Library auditorium, 101 2nd St. SE, Rochester
Admission: Free; no advance registration is listed.
Mini Med School in Mankato
Explore the world of medicine with Mayo Clinic Health System residents and providers at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota. Kids can mend a teddy bear, examine X-rays, build a skeleton and use microscopes to take a closer look at bones and skin.
They can also dress up like a doctor and try medical tools during this hands-on MEA activity.
When: Oct. 15–16, 9 a.m.–noon
Where: Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, 224 Lamm St., Mankato
Admission: Museum admission is $13 per person ages 1 and older; infants younger than 1 are free.
No separate event registration is listed.
Toy, Craft & Flea Market Weekend in Mankato
Browse vintage toys, collectibles, handmade crafts and flea market finds at River Hills Mall. Vendors will be set up throughout the mall, making this an indoor option for families who enjoy hunting for toys and unexpected treasures.
When: Oct. 17–18, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: River Hills Mall, 1850 Adams St., Mankato
Admission: No attendee ticket or advance registration requirement is listed.
Central Minnesota Events
Kidtoberfest in Alexandria
Carlos Creek’s Kidtoberfest puts kids at the center of the fall celebration. Activities include a costume parade, a ninja course, pumpkin throwing and root beer competitions.
Admission is free, along with face painting, the petting zoo, ring toss and wagon rides. Food and some activities cost extra.
When: Friday, Oct. 16, noon–5 p.m.
Where: Carlos Creek, 6693 County Rd. 34 NW, Alexandria
Admission: Free
Northwoods Fall Festival in Breezy Point
Breezy Point Resort’s Northwoods Fall Festival specifically celebrates MEA weekend—and you don’t have to stay at the resort to participate. The event welcomes locals and visitors.
Saturday’s family activities include a free candy crawl from 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m., free horse-drawn hayrides from noon–3 p.m., and a kids’ costume contest at 5:30 p.m. for ages 14 and younger.
The resort also lists free pumpkin painting, fall crafts, lawn games, s’mores kits and a hot cocoa bar.
When: Oct. 16–18; most listed family activities take place Saturday, Oct. 17.
Where: Breezy Point Resort, 9252 Breezy Point Dr., Breezy Point
Admission: Several family activities are free. Food, face painting and other purchases may cost extra.
Stop at the front desk for candy crawl locations and hayride check-in.
Duluth and North Shore Events
MEA Weekend at Whoopsa Daisy Farm in Duluth
Whoopsa Daisy Farm adds a Thursday opening for MEA weekend, giving families four days to explore. Visit the donkeys, goats and chickens, take a wagon ride through the Whimsical Woods, and explore Dinoland and Fairyland.
Kids can also play in the corn pit and sandbox, try yard games and visit the playgrounds. Farm activities are included with admission.
When: Oct. 15–18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Whoopsa Daisy Farm, 5399 Samuelson Rd., Duluth
Admission: $8 per person; infants are free.
Tickets are sold at the entrance in the yellow building.
Family Weekend in Grand Marais
North House Folk School’s Family Weekend gives families a chance to make something together on the shore of Lake Superior. Stop in for free drop-in crafts from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Friday evening brings outdoor games, a campfire and s’mores from 5–8 p.m. A community lantern walk leaves campus at 7 p.m. Make a small lantern during Friday’s daytime craft activities and bring it along.
On Saturday, join a family-friendly contra dance from 6–9 p.m. Live musicians and a caller guide the dancing, with easier dances at the beginning of the evening.
When: Oct. 16–17; hours vary by activity.
Where: North House Folk School, 500 W. Hwy. 61, Grand Marais
Admission: Drop-in crafts and evening programs are free and require no advance registration.
Registered classes have separate fees and capacity limits.
Event schedules and registration availability can change. Check the linked organizer pages before heading out.
Twin Cities Attractions With Extended MEA Hours
Several kid-friendly Twin Cities attractions are opening earlier or adding an extra day for MEA weekend, October 15–18, 2026. These options give families more time to play, explore model trains or spend time outdoors.
Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul
Can Can Wonderland opens five hours earlier on MEA Thursday, giving families more daytime access to its arcade and artist-designed mini golf course.
Admission includes unlimited play on more than 150 arcade games. Mini golf costs an additional $16 per person; ages 5 and younger play free.
Extended hours: Thursday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Where: 755 Prior Ave. N., Suite 004, St. Paul
Admission: $15 on Thursday; ages 5 and younger are free.
Friday and Saturday hours are 11 a.m.–midnight, but the venue becomes 21+ after 9 p.m. Sunday hours are 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Urban Air in Plymouth
Urban Air Plymouth adds morning and afternoon playtime on Thursday and Friday for MEA. Both days begin at 10 a.m., instead of the usual 4 p.m. opening.
The indoor adventure park offers active play, with admission packages based on the attractions you want to use.
Extended hours: Oct. 15–16, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Where: 3580 Holly Ln. N., Plymouth
Admission: Prices vary by ticket package.
The park also lists a Sensory Sunday session on October 18 from 8–10 a.m., before regular opening.
Urban Air in Apple Valley
Urban Air Apple Valley also opens early for MEA Thursday and Friday. Families can visit starting at 10 a.m., giving kids more time for indoor active play during the school break.
Extended hours: Oct. 15–16, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Where: 7370 153rd St. W., Apple Valley
Admission: Prices vary by ticket package.
Check the location’s ticket options for included attractions and any height requirements.
Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum adds a Thursday opening for MEA. Explore more than 11,000 square feet of model railroad layouts and displays, including a detailed model of the Twin Cities.
The exhibits include interactive features for visitors of different ages, making this an option for families with young train fans.
Special MEA hours: Thursday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: 668 Transfer Rd., Suite 8, St. Paul
Admission: Check the museum’s website for current pricing.
Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes
Wargo Nature Center’s seasonal extended hours continue through the end of MEA weekend. Families can visit during the weekend or later in the afternoon than the center’s regular weekday schedule allows.
Extended hours: Oct. 15–18, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily
Where: Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes
Regular hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., so the extended schedule provides additional evening and weekend access.
Check each attraction’s website before visiting for current admission, ticket availability and schedule changes.
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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