Oktoberfest in New Ulm
Highlights this week include:
Oct. 6-14, New Ulm
Oktoberfest
Oct. 7-8, Stillwater
Rivertown Fall Art Festival
Oct. 7, Nisswa
Gull Lake Oktoberfest
Oct. 7-8, Fargo-Moorhead
Fargo-Moorhead Studio Crawl
Oct. 5-8, Pine City
Highway 61 Film Festival
Southern Minnesota
Sept. 23 - Oct. 29 (Saturdays & Sundays), Fairmont
Fall Festival at Center Creek Orchard
Fall Festival offers hours of fun activities, pick your own pumpkins and locally grown apples. Activities include hayrides, miniature golf, scarecrow building, pony rides, helicopter rides, Jump Pad, giant maze, apple sling, barrel ride, crawling tunnels, super slide, and haunted forest. Center Creek Orchard. 507-773-4547
Sept. 30 - Oct. 15, New Prague
Grape Stomp and Harvest Festivals
Take part in a unique and memorable experience during the Grape Stomp and Harvest Festivals. This adventure includes a monogrammed wine glass, 2 glasses of your choice, vineyard management talk and tour, harvesting (includes as many sugary grapes as you'd like to munch on), lunch, live music, wine-making demonstration, and finally the grape stomp! Those wanting to "stomp" are encouraged to wear a costume. Next Chapter Winery. 612-756-3012
Oct. 1-30 (Saturdays & Sundays), Owatonna
Oak View Nursery Pumpkin Patch
The Oak View Nursery Pumpkin Patch offers weekend activities and attractions for the whole family including hay rides, corn maze, corn box, Jacob’s Ladder, giant slide, mini-golf, Pumpkin Chunkin’, paintball target, remote control race track and indoor game area. Oak View Pumpkin Patch. 507-451-0454
Oct. 6-8, Harmony
Fall Foliage Weekend
Celebrate fall colors and bounty in Harmony! Marvel at the seasonally decorated Main Street, and enjoy farmers markets, church and organization dinners, citywide garage sales, fall color driving tours, Amish tours and tours of Niagara Cave. Also enjoy artist studio tours during the Lanesboro Area Art Trail, Oct. 6-7. 507-886-2469, 651-307-6373
Oct. 6-14, New Ulm
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest festivities include musical entertainment by a variety of bands, German goods vendors, German food and drink, German costumes, Promenade Parade, horse-drawn trolley rides, stein-holding contest, and the Cambria Crush Grape Stomp Festival -- lederhosen encouraged! Oktoberfest takes place in 4 locations over two weekends: Historic Downtown, Schell's Brewery, Morgan Creek Vineyards, and Best Western Plus. 507-233-4300
Oct. 7-8, Cannon Falls
Sogn Valley Craft Fair
The Sogn Valley Craft Fair is an intimate invitational show. Artists are invited based on the quality of their work with an eye towards representing diverse media, including a wide variety of pottery, jewelry, painting, photography, basketry, fiber arts, metalwork and more. Also enjoy numerous organic produce and artisanal food vendors, along with live music. 507-263-4007
Oct. 7-8, Austin
Big Island Rendezvous & Festival
See history come alive during the fur trade period at the Big Island Rendezvous with a voyageur encampment, Native American tipi tours, Scottish Clan Tartan, New Ulm Battery, and many Early American crafts such as woodworking, blacksmiths, and candle making just to name a few. Also purchase period wares, taste authentic cuisine, and experience the sights and sounds of history. 800-658-2526
Oct. 13-14, Pipestone
Pipestone Paranormal Weekend
The 4th Annual Pipestone Paranormal Weekend features Calumet by Candlelight & Bedtime Stories, historic cemetery tours, "A Ghostly Image, Spirit Photography of the late 1800s" with Historic Photographer Dave Ramnbow, Psychic Gallery Readings by psychic Susie Otto, "Tales from the Grave" cemetery tour, ghost walks, ghost hunts in 3 different locations using EMF readers, free showing of "Villisca, Living with a mystery," and a documentary of the 1912 ax murders in Villisca, Iowa which is to this day unsolved. Pipestone County Museum. 507-825-2563
Oct. 14-15, Red Wing
Red Wing Arts Festival
This prestigious, highly anticipated annual event features more than 100 artists displaying their artwork on the streets of Red Wing's charming historic downtown retail district. Also enjoy great food and stage entertainment. Bush and Third Streets. 651-388-7569
Oct. 20-22, Northfield
Studio ARTour
The 13th Annual Studio ARTour is a co-operative venture among a group of artists in the areas around Farmington, Northfield and Faribault. Roughly 22 artist studios and galleries are open to the public with nearly 40 artists participating. The range of work is amazing; weaving to welding, glass to gemstones, clay to carving and paper in between. 507-645-5604
Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Sept. 19 - Oct. 20, Afton
Fall Color Cruise
One of the favorite ways to the fall colors is from the beautiful St. Croix River! This cruise is a wonderful way to relax and enjoy panoramic views from on board one of Afton*Hudson Cruise Lines' luxury ships. A cash bar and meal options are available. 651-436-8883
Sept. 22 - Oct. 28, Shakopee
ValleySCARE
Fun takes a terrifying turn as Valleyfair transforms into ValleySCARE, the upper Midwest's largest Halloween attraction. With more than 75 rides, attractions and entertainment acts, there is something to satisfy everyone's devilish desire. Valleyfair. 952-445-7600
Sept. 29 - Oct. 29, Chaska
Scream Town
Scream Town features 8 haunted attractions in a remote corn field surrounded by a huge 200 year old forest. New attractions include Zombie Apocalypse and Down the Abandoned Rabbit Hole. A special Lights Out event will be held Oct. 29 featuring only the finest actors in complete darkness. Located off Hwy 212 between Chaska and Cologne. 888-317-7308
Oct. 6-29 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays), Shakopee
Sever's Fall Festival
Since 1997, thousands of people have enjoyed Sever's corn mazes. Other highlights include live shows, exotic petting zoo, jumping pillows, pig races, magic shows, Parakeet Landing, zip lines, wildlife shows, kiddie train, and pick-your-own pumpkins. Next to Canterbury Park. 952-270-6293
Oct. 7-8, Stillwater
Rivertown Fall Art Festival
The Rivertown Fall Art Festival features artists from around the Midwest. In addition, enjoy live music, a beer/wine tent and a wonderful selection of food vendors. On Saturday, boogie down with music by Boogie Wonderland! Located on the beautiful St. Croix River. 651-439-4001
Oct. 7-8, Minneapolis
Minneapolis Print and Drawing Fair
The 24th Annual Minneapolis Print and Drawing Fair is a spectacular opportunity to check out and purchase hundreds of museum quality original works of art for sale by leading dealers from the United States and Europe. This events also offers pop-up talks and activities throughout the weekend. Admission is free! Minneapolis Institute of Art. 612-870-3000
Oct. 7-15 (Saturdays & Sundays), Hastings
Apple Festival
Weekend Apple Festival highlights include pick-your-own apples, a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, Straw Mountain, Retread Hill, Johnny Combine, giant playground, train rides, folk & bluegrass music, huge Jump Pad and concessions. Afton Apple Orchard. 651-436-8385
Oct. 8-31, Anoka
Anoka Halloween
This "spooktacular" time is loaded with fun Halloween events including races, parades, pumpkin carving contests, a medallion hunt, house decorating contest and more! Anoka is the Halloween Capital of the World by congressional proclamation! 763-421-7130
Oct. 13-15, St. Paul
Saint Paul Art Crawl - Fall 2017
Join hundreds of artists as they open their studios and galleries for the 26th year of the St. Paul Art Crawl. Free bus rides! Various studios, galleries and venues throughout St. Paul. 612-567-0551
Oct. 14, Minneapolis
Zombie Pub Crawl
Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's Largest Gathering of Zombies," the Zombie Pub Crawl gathers thousands of undead souls into the Warehouse District of downtown Minneapolis for a night of pub crawling, dancing, world-class live entertainment, and all sorts of other fiendish fun! 612-334-3131
Oct. 14-15, Hastings
Apple Festival at Carpenter Nature Center
Celebrate the harvest at Carpenter Nature Center with hayrides, children's activities, live raptor programs, music, pumpkin decorating, apple brats and more. Also enjoy the spectacular fall colors of the river valley, and visit neighboring orchards. 651-437-4359
Upcoming Twin Cities' concerts and performances:
Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Oct. 6
Kaleo with ZZ Ward at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 6
Boz Scaggs at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 7
Chris Stapleton at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 7
Peter Yarrow & Noel Paul Stookey at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 7
Rodriquez at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 8
Pixies at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Oct. 11
Chris Tomlin at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 13
Paul Weller - A Kind Revolution Tour at the Pantages Theatre, Oct. 13
Rock, Brats & Beer at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Oct. 13
Ali Wong at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 14
Imagine Dragons at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 16
Kings of Leon & Dawes at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 18
Red Green's I'm Not Old -- I'm Ripe Tour at the Pantages Theatre, Oct. 18
Together Live - Creating Change at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 19
Close to You: The Music of the Carpenters at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Oct. 20
Jim Norton - Kneeling Room Only Tour at the Pantages Theatre, Oct. 20
Fall Out Boy - The Mania Tour at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 22
World of Dance Live at the Historic State Theatre, Oct. 26
Tape Face at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Welch, Oct. 27
Alan Jackson at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Oct. 28
The Original Blues Brothers Band with The Sacred Hearts at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Oct. 28
Arcade Fire - Infinite Content 2017 at the Xcel Energy Center, Oct. 29
Finding Neverland at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Oct. 31 - Nov. 5
Blues Traveler - 30th Anniversary Tour at the Pantages Theatre, Nov. 1
David Crosby & Friends, Sky Trails Tour 2017 at the Ames Center, Nov. 2
Michael McDonald with Mark Cohn at the Historic State Theatre, Nov. 2
Kirk Franklin at the Historic State Theatre, Nov. 4
David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre, Nov. 5
Tickets available through Eventful or Ticketmaster
Central Minnesota
Sept. 30 & Oct. 7, Sauk Centre
Pumpkin Fun Days
The annual Pumpkin Fun Days is a family-friendly event for kids and parents alike. Enjoy farm animals, pick-your-own pumpkins, farm tours, train rides, games, build-your-own scarecrow, a corn maze, and bounce house. Tutti Fruitti Kitchen & Market Farm. 320-352-2059
Oct. 7, Little Falls
Zoo Fest
The 4th Annual Zoo Fest features a wide array of fun fall family festivities including face painting, games, pumpkin treats for the animals, a medallion hunt, rock climbing, the Great Pumpkin Race (with cash prizes!), an obstacle course, bounce house, monkey toss, hamster ball roll, and so much more! Pine Grove Zoo. 320-616-5595
Oct. 7, Nisswa
Gull Lake Oktoberfest
Highlights of the 7th Annual Gull Lake Oktoberfest include an autumn Pub Crawl with free shuttle service between 7 locations, commemorative mugs and lots of great food and music along the way. This event runs in conjunction with Grand View Lodge's 7th Annual Golftoberfest, featuring live music by GB Leighton under a heated tent! 218-963-2620
Oct. 14, Brainerd
Fall Arts and Craft Festival
The Fall Arts and Craft Festival features quality handmade items by 150 plus artists and crafters. Brainerd High School. 218-454-6926
Oct. 14-15, Zimmerman
Sandhill Crane Tours
By the middle of October, the refuge hosts thousands of cranes as they roost at night in refuge wetlands, then fly out to area croplands to forage during the day. Sandhill Crane viewing map. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. 763-389-3323
Oct. 20-22, Deerwood
Oktoberfest at Ruttger's
The 32nd Annual Oktoberfest celebration starts with a Friday night Harvest Buffet Dinner Show. On Saturday, enjoy an arts & crafts fair with indoor and outdoor booths, live German music, games for all ages, beer & food tents, and Oktoberfest Dinner Buffet. Ruttger's Big Bay Lodging. 218-678-2885
Northwest Minnesota
Oct. 7, Walker
Harvest Moon Festival
The 5th Annual Harvest Moon Festival is your chance to taste & enjoy 150+ craft beers, wines and spirits while listening to favorite local acts Trip Wire, Timmy Haus and Kellogg Duo! Moondance Fairgrounds. 866-666-6586
Oct. 7-8, Fargo-Moorhead
Fargo-Moorhead Studio Crawl
During this free two-day event, the public is invited into the studios of the many working artists in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Studio tour map. 701-298-3936
Oct. 7-28 (Saturdays), Park Rapids
Fall Festival & Pumpkin Party
The Fall Festival and Pumpkin Party is everything you love about fall. Events include a 6.5 acre corn maze, hobbit-themed wagon rides, mini-golf, magic acts, pumpkin propeller, Crow Shoot, giant Pumpkin Boats, face painting, giant slide, cow "milking," straw bale maze, Nerf Wars and more! Carter's Red Wagon Farm. 218-732-4979
Oct. 14, Bemidji
Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon
The Blue Ox Marathon includes a full marathon, 26K Lake Loop, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and children's runs, as well as an Expo at the Sanford Center and Friday Pasta Feed. Also enjoy the Great River Rescue Fall Harvest Dinner at the Bemidji Eagles Club with dinner, live music, games and silent auction. 877-250-5959, 218-7851-7910
Oct. 14, Crookston
Corn Stalk Jamboree
Enjoy lots of food, fun, music and games at the last farmers market of the season! A free lunch of fresh soup and bread from the season's harvest will also be offered. Downtown Crookston. 218-281-4320
Oct. 20-22, Bemidji
First City of Arts: Studio Cruise
Area artisans will open their studios to the public for a behind-the-scenes view of how their work is created. Make a personal connection with artists surrounded by the inspiring beauty of Minnesota's northwoods. Studios and venues are within a 45 mile radius of Bemidji. Self-driving map/brochure. 218-759-0164
Northeast Minnesota
Sept. 22 - Oct. 15, Duluth
Fall Color Trains
Enjoy fall color trips along the majestic North Shore, and view blazing orange, red and yellow from the train as it travels along the shore of Lake Superior and over rivers and streams from Duluth to Two Harbors and back. CNN listed these fall color trips as one of the "Top 5 Fall Color Tours in America." North Shore Scenic Railroad. Other special excursions are also available. 218-722-1273
Sept. 23 - Oct. 29, Hermantown/Duluth
Engwalls Corn Maze
The Engwalls Corn Maze has expanded to more than double its original size. Also enjoy live entertainment, two observation towers, a big top tent, maze games, corn pit, corn cannons, corn slingshot and hay rides. The corn cannons are one of the highlights with shooters trying to break windows and hit other targets for prizes! Other special events include Flashlight Nights and Halloween events. Engwalls Corn Maze. 218-727-8964
Sept. 29 - Oct. 8, Grand Marais
Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour
Art Along the Lake: Fall Studio Tour features studio tours and gallery activities with a variety of unique handcrafted works created in Cook County. This event is replacing Crossing Borders Studio Tour. Fall Studio Tour Map. 218-387-2788
Oct. 5-8, Pine City
Highway 61 Film Festival
The Highway 61 Film Festival is launching year number seven with three days filled with an eclectic mix of film-making talent -- see what amazing films will come from the imaginations of local, state, national and international filmmakers. Films at Pine Technical & Community College, Pine City’s Pizza Pub, the North West Company Fur Post, and Pine Center for the Arts. 320-322-4040
Oct. 5-31, Duluth
Haunted Ship Tour
Each year, for the month of October the Irvin transforms itself into a haunted ship, where its ghosts come alive. The haunting of the Irvin is not just a rumor, mysterious sightings have been recorded. During the self-guided tour, you’ll see how the once historic ore ship has been flipped inside out to reveal its true identity. Walking through the dark, eerie hallways you’ll get the feeling that you’re never alone, because you won’t be. William A. Irvin Ore Carrier. 218-722-5573
Oct. 13-14, Pine City
Mystery at the Fur Post
Do you have what it takes to solve the mystery at the Fur Post? This interactive drama takes place after dark. Armed with a candle lantern and a list of suspects, you'll have about two hours to investigate the scene, collect clues, conduct interviews and crack the case. This is a family-friendly event. North West Company Fur Post. 320-629-6356
Oct. 14, Grand Marais
Caravan du Nord
The 7th Annual Caravan du Nord is a full day of artist workshops, music industry networking and performances by honky-tonk heroes Trailer Trash, New Orleans swing band Patty & The Buttons and Grand Marais' trio Lake Effect! The day kicks off with free workshops hosted by artists, festival bookers and DJs from The Current, WTIP, KUMD and KFAI. Arrowhead Center for the Arts. 218-387-1284
Oct. 20-22, Grand Marais
Moose Madness
Moose Madness weekend events range from the athletic to the artistic with the weekend centered on earning and spending “moose bucks.” Children can earn moose bucks by participating in scavenger hunts, races, and arts activities throughout town. Moose bucks can then be spent on prizes at Moose Headquarters. Everyone will enjoy the Lake Superior Zoomobile, Moose Medallion Hunt, Moose Mosey, Moose Poetry, Family Contra Dance and specials throughout town. 218-387-2524
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