Deals & Events Calendar

(Please note: This list is updated as events become known. Be sure to check with the event host/venue in advance as there may be changes or cancellations at any time.)

COVID UPDATE: Many events may be cancelled before I can remove them here. Please check before going!

Have an event to add to this list? Please email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com. Thanks!

EVERY DAY: Get the LOWEST-PRICED Crayola Experience Mall of America Discount Tickets via my link!

EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNT Crayola Experience Mall of America tickets through my special link! Tickets are $17.50 (regularly $22.99 – $24.99) THIS IS THE LOWEST PRICE OUT THERE!

Just click on my personalized online store web link (URL) and enter the access code TCFM. (Or visit https://tickets.crayolaexperience.com and enter my personalized store name: Twin Cities Frugal Mom)
You’ll be able to purchase and print the tickets right away, saving you time waiting at the entrance turnstiles and bypassing ticket booth lines! And they’re valid for up to a year.

EVERY DAY: Get The Works Museum Discount Tickets!

EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for The Works Museum in Bloomington with my special code!

Regular admission is $11.00 per person, but you can get admission for $9.00 per person with my special code! (Children 2 and under are free.) For $2 Off Admission: Use code TCFMB$2OFF in the “promo code” field on the shopping cart page. (Not valid for special events) Purchase via THIS LINK.
Discounts are offered for special events if you buy tickets in advance. Follow their website and social media pages for updates.
50% off admission for limited income families through their Gateway program

EVERY DAY: Get Minnesota Children’s Museum Discount Tickets!

Yes, they’re open! And EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul with my special code TCFM! Save $3 per admission!

Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 per admission on tickets online. You can also use that code to save $20 on a membership.
There’s so much to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Check out my review here: https://www.twincitiesfrugalmom.com/2017/06/our-first-visit-new-minnesota-childrens-museum/

Also, be sure to check my Twin Cities Discount Guide for Families for how to save (and get FREE admission!) at places all around the Twin Cities! (Note that many locations are closed right now.)

And check out my list of Free or Discounted Admission Programs for Limited Income Families in Minnesota! Note: Check before you go as many have updated their offerings since COVID began.

October 2021

Apple picking and fall festivals continue!

Joyer Adventure Farm. Thursdays to Sundays. 10:00am – 5:00pm. Waldoch Farm, 8174 Lake Drive, Lino Lakes, MN. NOT free – buy tickets online for $14.99.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum open by reservation only. Chaska. Face coverings required indoors starting Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021.

Science Museum Learn at Home. The museum IS OPEN but also has a website with many at-home learning activities. Free Build-a-Bear Virtual Workshops. Build-a-Bear is offering free Virtual Workshops every Wednesday! There are activities, crafts and free printables. See what’s already on their website. Many events have been cancelled or postponed. For resources, please see my guide,

Coronavirus Financial Relief & Resources for Minnesota Families.

For online Minnesota fun, see my guide, Free Minnesota Printables, LiveCams and Activities to Do at Home.

For free meals, see my guide Free Food for Kids and Families or see list below.

October Events by Date

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

Free First Saturday: Explore! 10:00am – 3:00pm. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Stop by the Walker to explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt, create a giant collaborative artwork, watch a fun, family friendly short film, and grab an art kit to make art inspired by artwork at the Walker or in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Free Corn Trail & Wagon Rides. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Rockpoint Church, 5825 Kelvin Ave N, Lake Elmo. Everyone is welcome to a FREE family-friendly corn trail & wagon rides in the East Metro! Four Saturdays: September 18 – October 9, 11am-4pm.

Free Family Fun Day: Halloween. 12:00 – 3:00pm. Goodhue County Historical Society, Red Wing. Join us on October 2nd from 12-3 for for a hauntingly good time at the history center for our Halloween themed Free Family Fun Day. Learn about some of the history of Halloween. There will be some sweet treats and fun activities for families. Also help us solve the mystery at the museum by finding and solving the clues hidden around the museum.

Oktoberfest at Midtown Global Market. 12:00 – 4:00pm. All are welcome. This is a free and family friendly event.

Flannel Fest. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Maplewood Mall. Grab the kids, don a flannel and get to Maplewood Mall. We’re hosting a festive fall-themed KidX event that will be sure to delight. Kids will be able to paint their own mini pumpkin (while supplies last), play giant checkers, and try their hand at a kids-friendly ax-throwing game. Face painting too!

Fall Family Outdoor Expo. 1:00 – 4:00pm. 67 West Golden Lake Road, Circle Pines. This free event, open to the public, is hosted by Scouting units in the Centennial area. A few of the activities: learn fishing knots plus a fishing activity, shoot off rockets, learn to cook outdoors, complete an obstacle course, and more!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5 FREE First Tuesday at Washington County Parks. On the first Tuesday of every month (non-holiday), visit any Washington County Park FREE. No Vehicle Permit required.

Toddler Tuesdays. 11:00am. Mall of America Live event. Check their website for each week’s schedule. Toddler Tuesdays® Wristbands are Back! Purchase your Toddler Tuesdays Wristbands for $14.99 + tax Every Tuesday on-site only.

Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution. 4:30pm. Bring $20 and 2 large totes for an ABUNDANCE of food. No income or residency required. ALL WELCOME! Doors open at 4:30. Walk in or register online for less waiting (just show up 15 mins before your timeslot). Go to https://rubyspantry.org/product/bloomington-mn/. Read about my experience here!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6

Tots & Trains Children’s Program. 10:00am. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. Join us each 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month for our Tots & Trains children’s program from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. Included with paid admission.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8

Spooky Sanborn. 5:00 – 9:30pm. Sanborn Park, Robbinsdale. Volunteer run, trunk-or-treat where kids can play games and get treats, listen to a not so spooky story, enter a costume contest, take a picture at our photo booth, and take part in a pumpkin craft! At the end of the night there will be a free showing of HOCUS POCUS! Bring lawnchairs or blankets to catch this movie!

Free Movies in the Park! Hocus Pocus. 7:00 – 8:30pm. Sanborn Park, Robbinsdale. Join us for our annual Free Movies in the Park! series. This series is brought to you by Robbinsdale Recreation at Sanborn Park. Enjoy the last of summer outside, watching fan favorites! Bring a snack, bring a chair or blanket, and enjoy a movie with your community!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

Stillwater Harvest Fest. 10:00am – 6:00pm. Lowell Park, Stillwater. Tons of events including a Harvest Fest Market & Kids Activities!

Hyland Hills Chairlift Rides. 12:00 – 6:00pm. Hyland Hills Ski Area, 8800 Chalet Rd, Bloomington. These are $5.58 a person.

-Ride our chairlift up to the top of the hill in the Fall!

-We’re going to have food/beverages for purchase at the top of the hill cooked and served by the Hyland Grill Staff.

-Each time block will have a different live musical act.

-Several other activities!

Harvest-tober Fest 2021. 2:00 – 8:00pm. Central Park Maple Grove. Featuring local craft and food vendors, food trucks, polka, and for the grown-ups, beer!

Trick or Trot. 5:30 – 7:00pm. Civic Center Park, New Hope. Youth ages 3-12 can participate in a spooky (not scary) evening of trick-or-treating along a lighted path, face painting, pumpkin painting, DJ music, costume contest, scavenger hunt, carnival games and hot beverages. Wear your Halloween costume and tennis shoes! After the event, stay for a FREE showing of the movie, “Hotel Transylvania” at the New Hope Performance Center! $10 per child for Trick or Trot event. Register by October 1.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

Sensory Friendly Sunday October 2021. 8:00am – 11:00am. Walker Art Center, Minneapolis. Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental disabilities. The galleries will be closed to the general public, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience current Walker exhibitions Five Ways In and Candice Lin: Seeping, Rotting, Resting, Weeping and grab an art kit to make art at home!

Virtual Family Day: ¡Arte Para Todos! (Art for Everyone!). 10:00am. Minneapolis Institute of Art (online). Celebrate the beauty and diversity of all families this Family Day. Explore Leslie Barlow’s MAEP exhibition, “Within, Between, and Beyond,” which features stories and identities of mixed race and transracial adoptee participants. Get a coloring sheet designed by Barlow and be inspired to make your own unique family portrait using oil pastels. And hear the children’s story “Cooper’s Lesson” read out loud by author Sun Yung Shin in a prerecorded video.

Rosedale Center Fall Fun Fest. 12:00 – 2:00pm. Rosedale Center, 10 Rosedale Ctr Ofc, Roseville. Join us Oct 14th for a free, fun, fall event featuring live music by The Bazillions, face painting*, dining and shopping offers, and a large prize drawing! Rosedale Center lower east court.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

Free Story Saturdays at Manor Park! 10:00am – 11:00am. Manor Park, Robbinsdale. Free Story Saturdays are here to stay! Join us as we gather together, listen to a book, make a craft, and explore our take-home options! All Story Saturday’s through 2021 will take place at Manor Park. Today’s story: Harriet’s Halloween Candy by Nancy Carlson. Harvest to Halloween at the Barn. 4:00 – 8:00pm. Riley Lake Park, 9180 Riley Lake Road, Eden Prairie. Free event! Includes:

Pumpkin decorating
Horse-drawn wagon rides
Family activities and games
Story stroll
Scavenger hunt
Glow-in-the-dark dance party at the barn after dark

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21

MEA Break Camps. 9:00am. The Works Museum. Engage your kids in hands-on, minds-on activities during MEA break. Camps for older kids too! Museum exploration, games, engineering activities, and pizza lunch are included. (Fees vary)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

Haunted ROUNDHouse! 10:00am – 4:00pm. October 23 & 30. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. Enjoy music, treats, caboose ride and more! Caboose rides included with admission. You can ride as many times as you like! Train car is heated! While visiting the museum, enjoy lively and engaging music by Ross Sutter! Check out our “G” scale Minnesota-themed layout, including farm life depicted in the south, to the town of Jackson mid-state, then up to the iron range ore mine in the north. Snacks and drinks available in gift shop.

Halloween Event. 11:00am. Osseo. Join us on Saturday, Oct 23, at 11 a.m. for the Lions Halloween Event, sponsored by the Osseo Lions Club.

Children’s Pumpkin Carving Contest. 1:00 – 2:30pm. Akin Park, 1721 River Avenue, Anoka. Free.

Night Trains. Every Saturday starting October 23rd. Twin City Model Railroad Museum, 668 Transfer Road, Suite 8, St. Paul. We love this annual event! It’s 3:00 – 7:00pm and is $15 per person. Kids under 4 are free. Though this goes through February, October 23rd and October 30th are Halloween-themed events!

Halloween Bash. 5:00 – 8:00pm. Savage.

Pumpkin Night in the Park. 5:00 – 9:00pm. Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley. Pumpkin Night in the Park is back! Bring the whole family to Springbrook for a celebration of fall, fun, and PUMPKINS, lots of Pumpkins! Experience enchanted trails, costumed characters, kids dance with a DJ, 1,000 glowing pumpkins, delicious food, and more! $10 per person. Age 2 and under is free. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Light Up the Night Parade. 7:00 – 8:00pm. Anoka Main Street, 1922 1st Ave. S., Anoka. The lights on Main Street turn down low to showcase one of kind floats with lights. Participants are from all over our state and Wisconsin provide entertainment for our spectators.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

Great Pumpkin Halloween Celebration. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Landmark Center, St. Paul. Enjoy Halloween festivities at Landmark Center with live entertainment, crafts, treats, and a costume parade. FREE.

Trunk or Treat. 2:00 – 4:00pm. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Circle Pines. Come and join the fun! Lots of trunks for kids to visit! Plus new this year Petting Zoo and Two Food Trucks!

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Halloween DRIVE THRU. 6:00 – 7:30pm. Hazel Park, St. Paul. Families will drive up in their vehicles and stop at every table to receive treat bag or other special items that will be handed to them. Note: The vehicle line starts on Case Ave on the south side and wraps around the east side of Van Dyke street. The line will cut off at 8pm sharp. Participants must remain in their vehicle. No registration required.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Halloween Trick or Treat. 4:00 – 6:00pm. North Commons Park, Minneapolis. Make North Commons a quick stop on your trick or treat route. You can pick up some treats and snap a pic with your family at the photo stop. All stops will be socially-distanced. We ask that all participants wear a mask and be mindful to stay 6 ft. apart from those not in your party.

Halloween Party. 6:00 – 7:30pm. McDonough Recreation Center, St. Paul. Halloween games, crafts and fun! Wear your costume! No registration.

MJM Halloween Bash. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Merriam Park Recreation Center, St. Paul. Come join the MJM (Merriam Park, Jimmy Lee, MLK) while we celebrate Halloween! There will be a petting zoo, jump castle, haunted house, food, and more! Don’t be scared, come party and wear your best costume for the costume contest! Register online.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

Preschool Costume Contest. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Anoka City Hall, 2015 1st Ave N, Anoka. Yearly tradition!! Special treat bags for each participant. This event will be open to all pre-kindergarten children. One adult allowed per registration.

Preschool Halloween Party. 11:00am – 12:30pm. Creekview Park, Minneapolis. A special trick-or-treat event designed for young children and their parents. Event is FREE to attend and is designed for children under 6-years-old. Wear your costume and bring your parents for a morning of silly spooky fun. Tricks and treats, games, music and more will be an eerie kickoff for your Halloween fun! Pre-registration is required.

Big Parade of Little People. 1:15 – 2:15pm. Anoka Main Street, 1922 1st Ave. S. Join us in celebrating our elementary students participate in Anoka Halloween’s oldest tradition. Local school children march through our historic downtown area. Marching bands and costumes for all to enjoy.

Halloween Trick or Treat – Drop Ins. 4:00 – 6:00pm. Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis. Make Powderhorn a quick stop on your trick or treat route. You can pick up some treats and snap a pic with your family at the photo stop. All treat stops will be socially-distanced. We ask that all participants wear a mask and be mindful to stay 6 ft. apart from those not in your party. Free but register in advance.

Halloween Trunk or Treat DRIVE THRU. Heritage Park, St. Paul Park. Come on out to see the decorated trunks and get some Treats.

DRIVE THRU Halloween Party. 6:00 – 8:00p. Battle Creek Rec Center, St. Paul. Join us for a Halloween themed spooky event! This will be a drive thru event, participants will get treat bags and other special things for local community partners! The line starts on Winthrop street just outside the parking lot entrance. The line will cut off at 8pm sharp. Participants must remain in their vehicle. No registration.

Halloween Party and Bonfire. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Northwest Como Recreation Center, St. Paul. Join us for Crafts, a Bonfire, Outdoor activities, music and much more!! Please wear a costume, there will be an all ages Costume Contest. No registration necessary.

Little Goblins Costume Party. 6:30 – 8:00pm. Wargo Nature Center, Lino Lakes. Ages 8 and under Ghosts, goblins, and more! Join us in your favorite costume for a night of fun! We will have a variety of themed carnival games and crafts! Refreshments will be provided, and you can even take a photo with our special photo backdrop. Wargo Nature Center staff will be leading a flashlight hike and a look at the stars! Don’t forget your camera! Note: Parents/guardians are encouraged to dress in their favorite costume as well. Please make sure all costumes are family appropriate, no costumes with weapons. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. $10 per person.

House Decorating Contest-Public Viewing from Your Car! 7:00 – 9:00pm. October 29 – 30. Anoka. This contest was open to addresses within a 5-mile radius of Anoka City Hall, 2015 1st Avenue, Anoka.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

Trunk or Treat. 10:00am – 12:00pm. 2975 145th St W, Rosemount. Join us for a fun morning of Trunk or Treat at The Club House- Rosemount! We have partnered with other local businesses to join in on the fun! We also will be taking non-perishable food donations for the 360 Communities Rosemount Family Resource Center!

Halloween in Hopkins. 10:00am – 3:00pm. Downtown Hopkins. Save the date for Halloween in Hopkins! There will be a variety of fun events around downtown for the whole family to enjoy.

Pumpkin Fest 2021. 11:00am – 3:00pm. SkyView Ranch, Farmington. Free petting zoo.

Pumpkin Festival. 1:00am – 1:00pm. 50th & France, Edina. Trick-or-treating at area businesses and games.

Pumpkin Fest 2021. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Skyview Ranch LLC, 2413 210th St E, Farmington. Free pumpkins until they are gone!

“Thriller” Halloween Fun Day. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Central Gym, Minneapolis. Come out and enjoy a free bag of goodies, with the magic words of “trick or Treat”. Free but register in advance (see the rules).

Maple Grove Trunk or Treat. 1:00 – 4:00pm. Maple Grove Community Center. Join us for a fun Trunk or Treat event. We are going to be having a space in the community center parking lot as a part of the Maple Grove Parks and Rec event. We may even have a special character visit as well that you can take a picture with and send to your email. Share this event with all of your friends, families and anyone with kids!

Grande Day Parade. 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Anoka. The parade starts at 1 pm at State Street and Main Street. Route follows Main Street to 5th Avenue and finishes at South Street/ Military Road. Parade length is 1.5 miles long. Spaces along Main St. and 5th Avenue can be reserved after 4 AM the day of the parade. Chairs/blankets set out prior to this time, will be removed.

Spooktacular. 2:00 – 5:00pm. Zanewood Recreation Center, Brooklyn Park. Join us for this fun FREE family-friendly event. Walk through an outdoor Spooktacular path at Zanewood Recreation Center.

DRIVE THRU Trunk or Treat. 2:00 – 5:00pm. The Grove United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Rd, Woodbury. Put on your favorite costume and enjoy an afternoon trunk-or-treating with friends and neighbors at this not-so-scary Halloween event. Cars will be lined up at the church for safe, socially distant trick-or-treating. Because this is a drive-thru event, each child will receive a goody-bag at the end of the event.

Not-So-Scary Nature Trail. 6:00 – 8:00pm. Outdoor Center, 13765 Staring Lake Parkway, Eden Prairie. During this educational event, walk the lantern-lit trail and learn about bats, owls, snakes, eagles and so much more while collecting a Halloween treat at each station. Arrive any time during your 30-minute time slot to begin your adventure. Staggered start times to allow for physical distancing, and so younger children can attend early and the more adventurous in the dark. Sign up in advance.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

American Legion Halloween Post Parade Pancake Breakfast. 8:00am – 12:00pm. American Legion Anoka Post 102, 400 W Main St, Anoka. Pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee. Special appearance from 2022 Anoka Halloween Royal Ambassadors. Tickets in Advance (sold at the Anoka Legion) or at the door $7.00. Children under 6 eat for Free!

Trunk ‘n Treat. 12:30 – 2:30pm. Shepherd of the Hills in Shoreview MN. Join us for this family event. Free for all. We ask that you bring a donation for Ralph Reeder food shelf. More details regarding safety will be available as the date is closer.

Trunk or Treat Halloween Party. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Webber Park, Minneapolis. Trunk or Treat is a new alternative to the traditional idea of going house to house trick or treating. Costumed Kiddos will go from car trunk to trunk collecting candy and playing games all in one spot in the Webber Parking lot. Each trunk will be decorated and some will even have games to play in-between. Fun and safe for the entire family. Free but register in advance.

Halloween Tricks or Treats at Afton Rd Fire Station. 5:00 – 8:00pm. 6301 Upper Afton Rd, Woodbury. One of our favorite annual traditions at Woodbury Public Safety is back!! Goblins and all ghostly creatures are welcome to stop by Halloween Tricks or Treats at Afton Road Fire Station for an open house with apple cider and candy.

These are weekly events – most are discontinued until further notice due to COVID: ~~EVERY SUNDAY~~ Free Family Fun Day at the Carl Kroening Interpretive Center in North Mississippi Regional Park (part of the Three Rivers park district). 1:00-3:00pm. A different theme each week! Kids eat FREE Sundays at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit locations. 1 Free Kid’s Meal per paid adult meal of equal or greater value. Dine-in only. 12 and under. Must order from Kid’s Meals. Not valid with other offers or promotions. (Dickey’s also offers FREE ice cream with any dine-in purchase, every day!) There are 10+ Dickey’s locations in the Twin Cities area. ~~EVERY MONDAY~~ Tail Time at Wild Rumpus. Wild Rumpus Books, 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis. 10:30am. Stories for the wee! ~~EVERY TUESDAY~~ Minnesota History Center – Admission is free every Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00pm.

~~EVERY WEDNESDAY~~

Midtown Global Market -“Wee Wednesdays” from 10:30-11:15am. Fun, entertaining and educational FREE programming for kids 5 years and younger. Every week it’s something different – music, puppet shows, cooking, and more! See their website for schedule. Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. Open to the public 10:00am-4:00pm. (Wednesdays and Saturdays) South St. Paul. Admission is free of charge.

EVERY THURSDAY

Walker Art Museum – Gallery Admission is free from 5:00-9:00pm.

EVERY FRIDAY

EVERY SATURDAY

Free Nature Rocks! Outdoor Center Open House. Eden Prairie. 9:00 – 12:00. Enjoy free family-friendly activities such as hiking, hands-on interaction with live animals, craft projects and more! Every Saturday!

Free Kids Club Workshops at Michael’s stores. 10:00am.

Saturday Live! at the St. Paul Public Library. FREE. 11:15am to Noon. Free children’s craft activity at Lakeshore Learning Stores. 11:00am to 3:00pm. Ages 3 and up. No reservation necessary. Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing Hangar and Museum. Open to the public 11:00am-4:00pm. ( Saturdays) South St. Paul. Admission is free of charge.