Sunday afternoon · St. Paul
Great Pumpkin Halloween Festival
Free, 1 to 3, indoors. A costume parade at 2, face painting, crafts and carnival games at Landmark Center downtown.
Twin Cities families · October 23 to 25, 2026
17 free or cheap family outings, ten in each part of the metro so you can stay close to home: trunk-or-treats, Halloween trails, skating parties, library story times, orchards and museums. Forecast: Sunday 55° with a 40% chance of rain.
Short version
Three big free ones in different corners of the metro. Everything else is below, by area.
Lake Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Plymouth, Chaska, Waconia
Lake Minnetonka towns out to Victoria, Waconia and Maple Plain. Free library programs close out each area.
Hayrides, an animal barn, a corn pit, hay mountain, kids' train rides, playgrounds and pumpkins, with live music from 12 to 4.
Cost: Weekend admission $12 adults, $8 kids 3 to 12, free 2 and under. Hayrides are included.
6530 County Rd 26, MinnetristaA naturalist leads a walk on the trails at French Regional Park to look at fall changes. Bring binoculars, or borrow a pair at the park.
Know: Drop-ins welcome. Leaves from in front of the visitor center just after 2.
French Regional Park, PlymouthA quick lesson on GPS receivers and a practice cache, then a hunt through the woods for hidden treats. All equipment is provided.
Cost: $8 per child, ages 5 and up. Register by Saturday, Oct 24.
Baker Outdoor Learning Center, Maple PlainGrades 1-3. Cuddle up with a certified therapy animal and practice reading aloud. Most libraries host dogs but you can call ahead to see if other animals will be visiting. Sign up when you arrive for a 15-minute slot.
Plymouth Library, PlymouthGrades 2-8. This is a space for young readers to come relax, read, talk about awesome books, and create. Bring your own book or choose from the library cart.
Hopkins Library, HopkinsBloomington, Burnsville, Eagan, Shakopee, Rosemount, Farmington
Halloween trails, a skate party and the wildlife refuge, plus library programs.
Hands-on nature activities at your own pace, with a naturalist on hand to answer questions. Come any time; no sign-up.
Know: Mostly outdoors, so dress for the weather. About ten minutes from the treat trail.
Richardson Nature Center, BloomingtonTreat stations along the trail at Normandale Lake, plus a kids' show at the bandshell and a food truck. For preschool through 5th grade; no sign-up.
Times: Preschool to 2nd grade are encouraged to go 2 to 3:30, 3rd to 5th grade 3:30 to 5. Park in the lots along Chalet Road and start at the west-side boat launch. Weather permitting.
Normandale Lake Park, BloomingtonTrick-or-treating, open skating and prize drawings at the Burnsville Ice Center. Costumes encouraged but not required.
Cost: Admission free. Skate rental $6 a pair, skating aid $4.
Burnsville Ice CenterA geocaching adventure full of Halloween surprises and treats at Cleary Lake Regional Park. Equipment provided; all ages welcome.
Cost: $8 per person. Register by Friday, Oct 23.
Cleary Lake Regional Park, Prior LakeMaple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Lino Lakes
Trunk-or-treats, a spooky skate, two nature-center events and the big Anoka parade.
Wander the trails in costume to find outdoor sculptures dressed in playful disguises, collect small treats and passport stamps, and earn a prize at the end.
Know: Free. You can sign up online.
Silverwood Park, St. AnthonyA Halloween public skate at the Coon Rapids Ice Center, with costumes and a spooky hallway.
Cost: Regular admission: $6 adults, $5 students and seniors, 5 and under free with a paid adult. Skate rental $4.
Coon Rapids Ice CenterParks, museums and libraries across the city
Park Board Halloween parties, a costume swap, a drive-in movie and museums.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math activities for the whole family, with staff to help.
Cost: Included with admission: $14 adults, $10 ages 4 to 17, 3 and under free.
The Bakken MuseumFor children ages birth to 5 years old and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write, and play together. Share books, stories, rhymes, music, and movement. Siblings welcome.
North Regional Library, MinneapolisDrop in to make a folded paper container inspired by parfleche envelopes, and learn how they were used in Ho-Chunk and Lakota cultures.
Know: Open 11 to 5 Saturday and Sunday, 10 to 5 Friday. The museum is always free; garage parking is $3 an hour, $13 at most.
Weisman Art Museum, 333 E River RdSt. Paul, Roseville, Washington County, Cottage Grove, Stillwater
A free zoo, a pumpkin festival downtown, a beaver science day, Halloween at two nature centers and an apple farm.
Free to walk in: say hi to the goats, walk the orchard and let kids loose on the playsets. Apples and treats are in the Apple Barn.
Cost: Wagon rides $6 a person and the Honeycrisp Express barrel train $6 a child (10 and under), Saturday and Sunday 11 to 5. Apple Barn open 10 to 6.
6428 Manning Ave N, StillwaterA costume parade at 2, face painting, crafts, a DJ, candy and carnival games like Plinko, ring toss and a cake walk in Landmark Center's Musser Cortile.
Know: Free.
Landmark Center, St. PaulA nature-themed story at noon in the Visitor Center, then the zoo and the indoor Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, both open 10 to 4.
Cost: Free. A voluntary donation of $8 per adult and $5 per child is appreciated.
1225 Estabrook Dr, St. PaulNational Weather Service
The National Weather Service forecast for the Minnetonka area, checked Sunday, October 25 at 5:15 am.
A chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 48. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
A chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 43. North northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Before you go
A few things that change the plan.