Minneapolis and St Paul Lead Minnesota’s October Calendar With Autumn Festivals, Art Crawls and Seasonal Events

Minnesota is offering a varied calendar of festivals, cultural gatherings, art events and Halloween attractions throughout October 2026, giving visitors multiple reasons to explore the state during the autumn season. Highlights include the Owámni Falling Water Festival in Minneapolis, Stillwater Harvest Fest, New Ulm Oktoberfest, Twin Cities Oktoberfest and the Red Wing Arts Fall Festival. Comic-book conventions, craft beer tastings, museum tours and seasonal attractions across Duluth, Apple Valley and Shakopee add further options for families, culture enthusiasts and leisure travellers.

Which Festivals Are Taking Place Across Minnesota in October 2026?

Minnesota’s October programme combines Indigenous cultural celebrations, German heritage events, autumn harvest activities and local arts festivals. Several events are scheduled for 9–11 October, while others extend across the middle and end of the month.

The concentration of activities around the second weekend of October offers visitors an opportunity to combine events or plan short breaks around particular interests. However, travellers should check official event websites for current schedules, ticket availability, venue details and any changes before making arrangements.

Owámni Falling Water Festival Celebrates Indigenous Culture

The Owámni Falling Water Festival is scheduled for Saturday, 10 October, from 11am to 4pm at Father Hennepin Bluff Park in Minneapolis.

The free event celebrates Indigenous Minnesota cultures through music, art and food along the Mississippi River. It offers visitors an opportunity to engage with Indigenous cultural expression in an outdoor setting while exploring the riverfront.

For visitors interested in cultural tourism, the festival adds a community-focused experience to Minneapolis’s autumn events calendar. Its combination of artistic activities, food and riverside surroundings can appeal to families and travellers looking for experiences beyond conventional sightseeing.

Stillwater Harvest Fest Features Giant Pumpkins and a Pumpkin Regatta

Stillwater Harvest Fest takes place on 10 and 11 October in Stillwater, a destination known for its historic character and Mississippi River setting.

The event features giant pumpkin weigh-offs, a pumpkin regatta and free family activities. These attractions give the festival a distinctive seasonal identity and make it a potential choice for families planning an autumn outing.

The giant pumpkin competitions provide a visual highlight, while the regatta adds an unusual element to the programme. Visitors can use the event as an opportunity to explore Stillwater and its surrounding attractions during the autumn season.

Travellers should confirm the official schedule and arrangements for individual activities before visiting.

New Ulm Oktoberfest Highlights German Heritage

New Ulm Oktoberfest is scheduled for 9–10 October, with celebrations taking place across multiple local venues in New Ulm.

The event centres on German heritage and traditions, contributing to the city’s cultural tourism offer. Oktoberfest celebrations can combine food, music and community activities, giving visitors a way to explore the area’s heritage alongside its local hospitality businesses.

For travellers planning a regional itinerary, New Ulm’s festival can provide a reason to visit beyond Minnesota’s major metropolitan areas. Visitors should consult event organisers for details of participating venues, performances and admission requirements.

Twin Cities Oktoberfest Brings German Food and Live Music to St Paul

The Twin Cities Oktoberfest is scheduled for 9–10 October at the Progress Center at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St Paul.

The programme features German food, live music, festival games and a selection of beers, wines and hard ciders. Its combination of entertainment and food makes it an option for adults and groups seeking a festival atmosphere during the autumn season.

The event also adds to the range of activities available in the Twin Cities during the second weekend of October, allowing visitors to combine festival attendance with other attractions in Minneapolis and St Paul.

Visitors should check admission rules, age restrictions and beverage-service arrangements with the organisers before attending.

Red Wing Arts Fall Festival Brings Local Creativity to the Season

The Red Wing Arts Fall Festival is scheduled for 10–11 October in Red Wing.

The festival offers a local arts and seasonal community celebration, providing another option for travellers interested in creative events and regional destinations.

Arts festivals can support tourism by bringing artists, residents and visitors together while directing spending towards local shops, restaurants and accommodation providers. For travellers exploring southeastern Minnesota, the event may also offer an opportunity to discover Red Wing’s wider cultural and riverside attractions.

Details of participating artists, activities and venue arrangements should be confirmed through the event organisers.

What Art and Cultural Events Follow in Mid and Late October?

Minnesota’s autumn calendar continues beyond the second weekend, with art exhibitions, studio visits and a cultural celebration scheduled later in the month.

Fall St Paul Art Crawl Opens Studios and Exhibition Spaces

The Fall St Paul Art Crawl is scheduled for 16–18 October across St Paul.

The multi-day programme features neighbourhood art exhibitions and studio tours, giving visitors opportunities to explore local creative spaces and meet artists through participating venues.

The event can appeal to travellers who prefer cultural experiences that encourage exploration beyond major tourist attractions. Because activities are distributed across neighbourhoods, visitors should review the official programme to plan routes and identify participating studios and exhibition locations.

The Art Crawl also provides an opportunity to explore St Paul’s wider dining, shopping and cultural offer during the autumn season.

Festival de las Calaveras Marks the Day of the Dead

Festival de las Calaveras is listed for 31 October in Minneapolis as a Day of the Dead cultural celebration.

The event adds a late-October cultural experience to the state’s festival calendar. Day of the Dead traditions honour the memory of deceased loved ones through cultural practices that may include art, food, music and community gatherings.

Visitors interested in attending should confirm the event’s official location, programme and timings before travelling, as the supplied listing does not provide detailed operational information.

Which Other Events Can Visitors Explore on 10 and 11 October?

Alongside festivals and cultural celebrations, Minnesota offers activities for comic-book enthusiasts, craft beer fans and visitors interested in local history.

MNCBA FallCon 2026 Brings Comic Creators and Collectors Together

MNCBA FallCon 2026 is scheduled for 10 and 11 October at the Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St Paul.

The event runs from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Its programme brings together comic-book creators, vendors, collectors, artists and panels.

Adult admission is listed at US$15, with children aged nine and under admitted free. Visitors should verify ticket prices and admission conditions with the organiser before attending.

The convention provides an indoor entertainment option during the autumn season and could appeal to families, collectors and fans interested in comic-book culture.

Autumn Brew Review Offers Seasonal Craft Beer Tastings

Autumn Brew Review is scheduled for 10 October from 1.30pm to 5pm at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis.

The event focuses on seasonal craft beer and winter warmer tastings along the Mississippi River shoreline.

For adult visitors interested in Minnesota’s craft beverage scene, the event offers a seasonal tasting experience in an outdoor setting. Visitors should check the organiser’s information for ticketing, entry requirements and beverage-service policies.

As with other events involving alcohol, attendees should plan transport responsibly and comply with all age and admission requirements.

Depot Museum Tours Explore Minnesota’s Railway History

The Weekend Depot Museum Tours are listed for every Saturday in October: 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 October, from 10am to 2pm.

The tours take place at the Depot Museum, 401 South Elm Street, Rushford. The attraction showcases railway artefacts and pioneer history exhibits at a station described in the supplied listing as Minnesota’s oldest surviving two-storey railway station.

The museum provides an option for visitors interested in transport heritage and local history. It may also appeal to families looking for an educational activity to complement the state’s festivals and seasonal attractions.

Visitors should confirm opening arrangements and tour availability before setting out.

Where Can Visitors Find Minnesota’s Halloween and Autumn Attractions?

Halloween-themed experiences add another layer to Minnesota’s October tourism offer, particularly for families and visitors seeking seasonal entertainment.

Duluth Haunted Ship Offers a Halloween Experience

The Duluth Haunted Ship is listed as operating from 2–31 October 2026 in Duluth.

The attraction provides a seasonal option for visitors seeking Halloween entertainment. Duluth’s wider waterfront and tourism offer may also allow travellers to combine the experience with other local activities.

Opening days, operating hours, age guidance and ticket availability should be checked with the attraction before visiting.

Minnesota Zoo Hosts the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley is another event highlighted in the October listings.

Pumpkin displays and themed seasonal attractions can appeal to families and visitors seeking an evening activity during autumn. However, the supplied information does not include the event’s operating dates, opening hours or ticket details, so these should be confirmed directly with the zoo.

Sever’s Fall Festival and Valleyfair Add Seasonal Entertainment

Sever’s Fall Festival and Valleyfair Tricks and Treats, both listed in Shakopee, provide further options for autumn visitors.

Fall festivals commonly feature seasonal displays and family activities, while Halloween-themed amusement park programmes can combine rides and entertainment with themed experiences. The precise activities and operating arrangements for these two attractions should be verified with their official organisers.

Together, these listings broaden Minnesota’s October offer beyond traditional festivals and cultural events, providing additional options for families and leisure travellers.

How Can Visitors Plan an October Trip Around Minnesota’s Events?

Minnesota’s October events are spread across Minneapolis, St Paul, Stillwater, New Ulm, Red Wing, Rushford, Duluth, Apple Valley and Shakopee. Travellers should consider distances between destinations when planning an itinerary, particularly if they intend to attend multiple events over a weekend.

The second weekend of October is especially busy, with several festivals and activities scheduled for 9–11 October. Visitors interested in the Owámni Falling Water Festival, Stillwater Harvest Fest, Oktoberfest celebrations, Red Wing Arts Fall Festival, MNCBA FallCon or Autumn Brew Review may need to prioritise events according to their interests and operating hours.

Those planning later visits can consider the Fall St Paul Art Crawl from 16–18 October or the listed Halloween attractions towards the end of the month.

Before booking accommodation or transport, travellers should verify event dates, venues, ticket prices and opening hours through official organisers. Some listings provide only basic information, and schedules or operating conditions may change.