Highlights this week include:
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, Appleton
2016 Meander-The Upper Minnesota River Arts Crawl
Sept. 27 - Oct. 2, Chaska
Ryder Cup
Oct. 1, Hutchinson
Artoberfest
Oct. 1, Walker
Harvest Moon Festival
Sept. 16 - Oct. 16 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays), Duluth
Fall Color Trains
[Southern] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Central] [Northwest] [Northeast]
Southern Minnesota
Sept. 10 - Oct. 1 (Saturdays & Sundays), Cannon Falls
Cannon River Winery Fall Grape Festival
Join the harvest crew in the annual grape stomping! Other highlights include a catered meal, free estate wine tastings, specials and coupons, and shuttled transportation to and from the winery and vineyard. Cannon River Winery. 651-485-4261
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, Appleton
2016 Meander-The Upper Minnesota River Arts Crawl
This award-winning art crawl is a free self-guided tour of 33 artist studios featuring 45 local artists from the Upper Minnesota River Valley in and near Ortonville, Appleton, Madison, Milan, Dawson, Montevideo and Granite Falls. On Sept. 30, also enjoy Granite Falls Musical Chairs, a progressive dinner with live music at multiple Granite Falls locations. And on Oct. 1, don't miss The New Standards Trio in concert at Memorial Auditorium in Dawson. 866-866-5432
Oct. 1, Rochester
BARKtoberfest -BACB Unleashed Signature Event
BARKtoberfest is a doggy event with a German-twist. Highlights include a Doggy Beer Tastings (Cock-a-Doodle Brew & Beefy Brown Ale), special foods for the dogs (Hasen Duckenpfeffer & Brats-N-Tots), Long Dog Dash, All Dog Dash, the Parade of Tails, and lots of rescue groups and dog-related businesses. Dress your dog in his or her finest German-style attire to compete for Top Dawg! The two-legged friends can kick back and enjoy local beer. Well-mannered dogs that are current on their vaccinations are encouraged to attend. It's sure to be a tail-wagging good time! Eagles Club of Rochester. 612-816-7366
Oct. 1-2, Albert Lea
Big Island Rendezvous and Festival
Watch history come alive during the 30th Annual Big Island Rendezvous and Festival. Experience the fur trade period in the Voyageur encampment, and enjoy Native American Tipi tours, authentic period goods and cuisine, and demonstrations of many Early American crafts such as woodworking, blacksmithing, and candle-making to name a few. Bancroft Bay Park. 800-658-2526, 507-402-6371
Oct. 7-8, Lanesboro
Lanesboro Area Art Trail & Fall Into Lanesboro
Lanesboro is home to quaint bed and breakfasts, stunning scenery, and a thriving arts community. visit the artists during a self-guided studio tour, see their creative process, and shop for items from their available body of work. And on Oct. 8, enjoy Fall Into Lanesboro with fall food & beverage competitions, a Balloon Bust, live music, pumpkin decorating, and a presentation on the history of Lanesboro. 651-307-6373, 507-467-2696
Oct. 7-15 (Fridays & Saturdays), New Ulm
Oktoberfest
The 35th Annual Oktoberfest celebration is modeled after Munich, Germany's Oktoberfest with festivities throughout historic downtown New Ulm, at the Schell's Brewery, and at Best Western Plus. Enjoy parades, live music, games, horse-drawn trolley rides, stein-holding contests, and lots of great German beer, food and lederhosen! 507-233-4300
Oct. 8-9, Red Wing
Fall Festival of the Arts
Historic, downtown Red Wing will be the site of the 50th Annual Fall Festival of the Arts. In addition to fine artwork by nearly 100 artists from throughout the Midwest, enjoy children’s games and activities, musical entertainment and a variety of specialties from area food vendors. 651-388-7569, 515-231-8206
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Aug. 20 - Oct. 2 (Saturdays & Sundays plus Labor Day & Sept. 30), Shakopee
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival features 16 stages of live entertainment, 7 themed weekends, live armored jousting, amazing food and drink, and 250 artisan booths. Minnesota Renaissance Festival grounds. 952-445-7361
Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, Stillwater
Aamodts' Apple Farm Fall Fun
Depending on the weekend, just some of the fall family activities include hay wagon rides, Honeycrisp Express kids' train rides, hay bale maze, apple picking, apple treats in the apple barn, and John Deere tractor trikes. Aamodts' Apple Farm. 651-439-3127
Sept. 17 - Oct. 30, Shakopee
ValleySCARE
Valleyfair transforms into ValleySCARE, the upper Midwest’s largest Halloween attraction, with more than 75 rides, attractions and entertainment acts, as well as nearly 400 creatures of the night, occupying 11 of the most intense and terrifying mazes and scare zones. Valleyfair. 952-445-7600
Sept. 23 - Oct. 8 (Fridays and Saturdays), Taylors Falls
Leaf Cruise
Enjoy a delicious meal and live entertainment on an authentic paddlewheel riverboat surrounded by the beauty of the St. Croix River. Each trip includes a narrated tour covering the history of the river and the geology behind the rock formations. This is a great way to spend a fall evening with friends and family. 651-465-6315, 651-465-6365
Sept. 27 - Oct. 2, Chaska
Ryder Cup
Don't miss the 41st Annual Ryder Cup featuring 12 of the best golfers from the U.S. competing against 12 of Europe's best. Hazeltine National Golf Club. 952-556-5400
Sept. 27 - Oct. 2, Chaska
The 19th Hole Community Celebration
Enjoy a community celebration in downtown Chaska during the Ryder Cup with the Minnesota Craft Beer & Wine Festival, Hole-In-One contest, Ryder Cup highlights, horse & wagon tours, miniature golf, a golf simulator, live music, outdoor movie, inflatables, and fireworks displays! Shuttle buses will transport visitors throughout this event. 952-474-3233, 612-270-5480
Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, Excelsior
Lake Minnetonka Block Party - Celebrating the Ryder Cup
Check out all of the international shenanigans in Excelsior during the Ryder Cup! Highlights include Ryder Cup tournament action on the JumboTron, great food, a bean bag tournament, raffle, and live music by numerous popular acts including Trailer Trash, G. B. Leighton and Martin Zellar. Downtown Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka. 952-474-6461
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, Falcon Heights
Rummage Pop-Up Market
Rummage is a pop-up market of retailers in a festival atmosphere with more than 15 bands performing on stage, attractions for all ages, and fair-inspired food and craft beer. Retailers will be offering special discounts and previews of winter goods and wares. West End Market at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. 651-528-8752
Sept. 30 - Oct. 30, Chaska
Scream Town
Explore eight terrifying attractions! Scream Town was selected by Haunted Attraction Magazine as The Must See Attraction of 2015. 612-562-6409
Oct. 1, Columbus
Harvest Howl
Celebrate the annual fall harvest with live animal demonstrations, American Indian dance demonstrations, pumpkin painting contests, children's games and visits with the resident wild animals! Wildlife Science Center. 651-464-3993
Oct. 1-2, St. Paul
Antique Spectacular Show & Flea Market
Check out roughly 250 dealers offering a unique blend of antique furniture, collectables and outdoor flea market items. Minnesota State Fairgrounds grandstand. 651-771-3476.
Oct. 7-9, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Medtronic TC Family Events & Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon weekend is fun for the entire family, with a variety of events and activities on Friday and Saturday including a Pasta Party, Health & Fitness Expo, races in a fun, non-competitive environment, and Family Activity Tent. Then on Sunday, watch or participate in the 35th Annual Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, dubbed the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America! Beginning in Minneapolis near the U.S. Bank Stadium, the marathon course runs along beautiful lakes and river parkways, concluding at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. Spectators will enjoy 27th Mile events and festivities during the Marathon on Sunday at the State capitol along Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. 651-289-7700
Oct. 8, Bloomington
Family Celebration
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is marking its 40th anniversary with a public celebration that will feature family-friendly and hands-on activities such as birding, exploration, fishing, hiking and more. Learn more about one of Minnesota’s best-kept secrets! Activities held at locations throughout the refuge. 952-854-5900
Oct. 8, Waconia
Oktoberfest Waconia
Head to Oktoberfest Waconia for lots of great German refreshments and food, as well as Hammers Schlagen, a car show, and music by the Jolly Huntsmen and strolling musicians. Tickets are registered for a main drawing. Carver County Fairgrounds. 952-240-4747
Oct. 8-9, Stillwater
Harvest Fest & Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off
Stillwater's two-day harvest festival features a chili cook-off, microbrew tasting, giant pumpkin weigh-off, Pumpkin Regatta, live music, kids' costume parade, seasonal food vendors, kids' Pumpkin Pull, face painting, pie-eating contest, and more! Lowell Park. 651-351-0422
Upcoming Twin Cities concerts and performances:
Leon Bridges at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Sept. 28
Cirque du Soleil TORUK at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Sept. 28 - Oct. 2
Celtic Thunder Legacy at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Sept. 30
Gavin DeGraw & Andy Grammer at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Sept. 30
Songs for a New World at the Black Box Theatre in Woodbury, Sept. 30 - Oct. 16
Brian Wilson presents Pet Sounds at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 2
Minnesota Vikings vs. the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Oct. 3
Megadeth at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, Oct. 4
Def Leppard with REO Speedwagon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Oct. 5
Alessia Cara: Know-It-All Tour at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 8
Bill Maher at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 8
Flo Rida at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Oct. 8
Kanye West: The Saint Pablo Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 10
Herb Albert at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 12
Daughtry at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, Oct. 15
Gordon Lightfoot at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 16
Cabaret (Touring) at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 18-23
Brand New at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, Oct. 23
Ben Rector at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 23
Steve Vai: Passion & Warfare 25th Anniversary Tour at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Oct. 23
Dylan Moran at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 24
Widespread Panic at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 25
Joan Biaz at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 26
Love Jones The Musical with Musiq Soulchild at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 26
Pentatonix: The World Tour at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Oct. 26
Need To Breathe presents Tour De Compadres at Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, Oct. 27
David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 28
Tickets available through Eventful or Ticketmaster.
Central Minnesota
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, Deerwood
Wine & Jazz Weekend at Ruttger's
Jazz things up at Ruttger's Wine & Jazz Weekend with a Friday wine tasting reception, four-course dinner with paired wine on Saturday, a shopping "happy hour," wine seminar, live jazz music, breakfast, and more. Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge. 855-899-7517
Oct. 1, Hutchinson
Artoberfest
Enjoy an afternoon of interactive art activities, collaboration and creative play including a live performance by The Bazillions, Giant Paint by Number activity, Community Build, Lawn Poetry, Big Wheel Action Painting, giant checkers, and Make and Take art activities. A potluck performance featuring Ben Lubeck will take place after the event. Hutchinson Center for the Arts. 320-587-7278
Oct. 1, Little Falls
Zoo Fest
The 3rd Annual Zoo Fest includes face painting, rock climbing, the Great Pumpkin racing contests, human hamster balls, animal exhibits, and entertainment by Frozen movie characters Elsa, Anna and Olaf! Build your own pumpkin racer and bring it to the event. Pine Grove Zoo. 320-616-5595
Oct. 7-31 (Fridays & Saturdays), Glenwood
Pope County Fright Nights Indoor Haunted House
This premier haunted house is a true scare for all ages (with the warmth of being indoors)! Central Square. 320-805-0142, 320-634-3636
Oct. 8, Nisswa
Gull Lake Oktoberfest & Golftoberfest
Enjoy free shuttle service to restaurants and pubs located around Gull Lake including Ernie's on Gull, Zorbaz, Cowboys, Grand View Lodge, Jake's Gull Lake, Bar Harbor Supper Club, and Gull Dam Brewing. This event runs in conjunction with the 6th Annual Golftoberfest at Grand View Lodge featuring live music and dancing under a heated tent, as well as access to fire pits, a bar and great food. 218-963-2620, 218-963-2234
Oct. 15, Brainerd
Fall Arts and Craft Festival
The Fall Arts and Craft Festival features quality handmade items by more than 150 artists and crafters. Brainerd Senior High School. 218-454-6926
Northwest Minnesota
Sept. 24 - Oct. 29 (Saturdays), Park Rapids
Pumpkin Party at Carter's Red Wagon Farm
Each Saturday of the fall features Robin Hood-themed wagon rides, a 6.5-acre corn maze, pumpkin picking in the pumpkin patch, miniature golf, pumpkin propeller, giant pumpkin boat rides, giant slide, cow "milking," straw bale maze, games, duck races, face painting, and Nerf Wars! Carter's Red Wagon Farm. 218-732-4979
Sept. 30 - Oct. 10 (Fridays, Saturdays & Columbus Day), Warroad
Country Corn Maze
Country Corn Maze presents their 2016 "Road Trip!" corn maze! In addition to this eight-acre corn maze, enjoy farm animals, hayrides, pumpkins and fall decorations, giant popcorn balls, an obstacle course, giant slingshot, Octoball games for groups, a covered Corn Pit for the little ones, mini-bale mountain, and more! 218-469-3390
Oct. 1, Walker
Harvest Moon Festival
Harvest Moon festivities include live music and camping surrounded by beautiful colors! Also enjoy wine and beer tastings, great food, arts & crafts, and dog show. Moondance Fairgrounds. 866-666-6586
Oct. 1, Rochert
Tamarac Fall Festival
Spend a beautiful day on the refuge and celebrate trumpeter swans and other waterfowl. Learn about conservation efforts and how you can make a difference. Also enjoy a children’s Activity Trail, annual photo contest exhibit, and guided tours. Food concessions through the Friends of Tamarac. Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. 218-847-2641
Oct. 8, Crookston
Cornstalk Jamboree
Cornstalk Jamboree highlights include live entertainment, games for the kids, pony rides, craft and antique sales, scarecrows throughout town, and great produce at the last farmers market of the season. 218-281-4320
Oct. 8, Williams
Williams Potato Day
Williams Potato Day festival includes a parade, potato cook-off, entertainment program, queen coronation, chili cook-off and dinner. Also enjoy live music at the Williams Bar and Grill that night. 218-783-3271
Oct. 15, Moorhead
Fargo-Moorhead VegFest
The Fargo Moorhead VegFest is for everyone, from omnivores to vegans, with great speakers, vegan cooking demos, exhibitor sales and samples, celebrities, and free saw bags to the first 1000 attendees. Admission is free. Moorhead Center Mall. 218-233-6117
Northeast Minnesota
Sept. 16 - Oct. 16 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays), Duluth
Fall Color Trains
Enjoy the changing colors as you travel to the historic town of Two Harbors. The Fall Color Trains fall colors trips on the North Shore Scenic Railroad were listed by CNN as one of the "Top 5 Fall Color Tours in America." 218-722-1273
Sept. 17- Nov. 13, Grand Marais
Plein Air Grand Marais
Plein Air artists have turned blank canvasses into exquisite works of art depicting the unique beauty of the North Shore landscape. View these beautiful creations Sept. 17 - Nov. 13 at the Johnson Heritage Post and Grand Marais Art Colony. 218-387-2737
Sept. 23 - Oct. 2, Two Harbors/Lutsen/Grand Portage
Crossing Borders Studio Tour
Learn more about the creative process during this self-guided tour of artist studios along Highway 61. Featured this year are stone sculpture, Ojibwe art work, pottery, weaving, glass, print making, wood turning, metal works, jewelry, bead work, fiber art and leather. While traveling between the studios, visitors will enjoy the amazing fall colors and panoramic views of Lake Superior. 218-663-7008
Sept. 30 - Oct. 31, Duluth
Haunted Ship Tour
Each year, the William A. Irvin transforms itself into a haunted ship where the ghosts come alive. The haunting of the Irvin is not just a rumor, mysterious sightings have been recorded. Tour the haunted ship, if you dare. Canal Park, adjacent to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. 218-722-5573
Oct. 1, Chisholm
Zombie Gauntlet
The Gauntlet: Zombie Edition will test you mentally and physically with races along a tough, natural terrain of dirt, rocks and hills. Be creative and dress in Zombie attire! After, check out the many exhibits showcasing the history of the Iron Range. Minnesota Discovery Center. 218-254-7959
Oct. 1-16 (Saturdays & Sundays), Rush City
Andersons Rock Creek Relics Corn Maze
Find your way through Andersons Rock Creek Relics giant corn maze, then enjoy three additional mazes, hay rides, barrel train rides, face painting, pumpkin painting, and lots of pumpkins and fall decorations. 320-629-2852, 612-600-8760
Oct. 7-9, Pine City
Highway 61 Film Festival
The 6th Annual Highway 61 Film Festival features an eclectic mix of local, regional and statewide film-making talent. Categories include drama, comedy, action/horror, documentary, animation, Made in Minnesota, and Student Shorts by students in grades K-12. Pine Technical & Community College. 320-322-4040
Oct. 8, Aurora
Pumpkinfest
Enjoy a beautiful autumn day and family friendly fun during Pumpkinfest with the Great Pumpkin 5K Fun Run/Walk, children's games & prizes, the Giant Pumpkin contest, wagon rides, Pumpkin Patch at the Fire Hall, Quilt Show at the Library, Pumpkin Pie contest, delicious lunch, homemade pumpkin pie, and large indoor & outdoor craft sale. Aurora Community Building. 218-229-2614
Oct. 14-29 (Fridays and Saturdays), Chisholm
Field of Screams
Discover what lurks in the night during the Field of Screams. Your guide will lead you past scariest scenes and the many ghosts, maniacs, killers, and monsters that await you. Minnesota Discovery Center. 218-966-0115, 218-254-7930
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