14 Unique Fall Festivals In Minnesota You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Here in Minnesota, the trees are already beginning to change colors. Soon, temperatures will drop – along with the leaves – and days will become a whole lot shorter. But Minnesotans never take cold weather lying down. Instead, we celebrate it. Every year, some of the most unique fall festivals happen right here in the North Star State. Mark your calendars – some of these are coming up fast.
You don’t want to miss out on this Minnesota classic. Pick out a pumpkin, drink apple cider, and find your way through the famous corn maze. What’s the theme for this year? Pop in any weekend until October 30 to find out.
If you've always wished Oktoberfest was just a little longer, head over to Wabasha for this classic fall festival. Pick out a pumpkin, enjoy creative displays, eat and drink as much as you can, and take in the gorgeous Mississippi River bluffs as the leaves change. This year's festival goes from September 9 to October 23.
Every day September 16 through October 30, the Landscape Arboretum in Chaska also offers up dozens of quirky scarecrows for you to enjoy. You can even make your own if you visit September 24 or October 1.
Watch 10 colorful balloons float in the sky over Lake Superior in Duluth. Also enjoy flying free kites or sampling tasty craft brews during this fun fall weekend. Visit Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park September 16-18 to see it for yourself.
This year’s giant corn maze is Vikings themed. After you’re done finding your way through, bury yourself in corn, or take a whirl at the pumpkin slinger. It’s open every weekend from September 24 to October 30 in Brooklyn Park.
The fourth annual festival will feature food, prizes, local music, and over 150 different types of wine and beer. Check out this fall festival on October 1 in Walker.
Head to quaint downtown Stillwater on October 2-3 to enjoy a celebration of art and autumn. You can listen to live music, enjoy views of the St. Croix River, and shop local vendors for handmade ceramics, paintings, and jewelry.
Ever eaten a honeycrisp apple? You can thank Minnesota for that, and for dozens of other apple varieties. Celebrate - and taste - some at this year’s Johnny Appleseed Days at Patton Park in Lake City. This year’s festival goes down on October 4.
Have you ever seen a purple pumpkin? If not, you might want to hustle back over to Chaska’s Landscape Arboretum on October 7-31. Who knows, maybe the dozens of pumpkin varieties will inspire you to step up your jack-o-lantern game this Halloween.
Celebrate all things German on October 7-8 at the state fairgrounds. There will be beer, brats, and live entertainment - what more do you need?
This festival is a favorite of anyone who loves to marvel at giant produce. There are costume contests, a chili cook-off, and plenty of local vendors, but the real draw is the Pumpkin Regatta. After the massive gourds are weighed in, a lucky few get to paddle a hollowed-out pumpkin down the St. Croix River in a race to glory. Check it out on on October 8-9 in downtown Stillwater.
How can you miss out on the town that calls itself the Halloween Capital of the World? Starting October 14, Anoka’s Halloween festival keeps going until the end of October. A medallion hunt, a house decorating contest, and a ghostly 5k round out this little town’s big celebration.
This gory festival of blood and brains is the oldest zombie pub crawl in the country. Live music, plenty of beer, and a costume contest round out this undead party in downtown Minneapolis. Check it out on October 16.
Grand Marais is known for its moose sightings. That’s why every year they go all-out for one weekend to celebrate the animal. This year there will be a Moose Medallion Hunt, art demonstrations, and the fifth annual Moose Mosey. Don your moosey gear and get ready to race. This year’s festivities take place in Grand Marais on October 21-23. Who knows, you might even see a real moose.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the fall? Do you have any Minnesota fall festivals to add to the list?