Ahh yes, October, the token month of fall. Full of all things spooky, silly, and pumpkin spiced. Get ready for lots of Halloween fun this month, plus St. Cloud State Homecoming, night hikes, concerts, beer, and much more! This is just a bite-sized nugget of all the fun this month, check out the full events calendar here for even more!
Molitor’s Haunted Acres
Weekends, October 1 – 31
Back again for another scary year, Molitor’s Haunted Acres is a delightfully terrifying experience for fear lovers. This year, you will be walking on foot through the terrorizing woods that will lead you through many structures of destruction and haunted houses. Make your way through rooms of horrors where you will meet up with the undead and the most horrific evils who consider these woods their home…YOU are the INTRUDER! Runs Fridays and Saturdays through October 30, plus MEA weekend October 20 & 21. Get your tickets in advance and save.
Harvest of Horror
Weekends, October 2 – 30
This year’s Harvest of Horror begins with a hayride through the fields of St. Augusta. Then you will be terrorized in the timbers, thrust into the darkness of a corn, plunged into the total darkness of a haunted house and then come back into the forest where mutants will gladly welcome your visit. Finally, find your way though the tall and elusive cornstalks trying not to be plucked out and dragged into the darkness in order to be consumed! Come, if you have the guts! Runs Fridays and Saturdays starting October 2 through October 30. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Back Shed Fall Festival
October 2
Bring out the whole family for some fall fun at Back Shed Brewing! Come on out from 10 to 3 on Saturday. Enjoy a special fall release beer (Pumpkin Pie!), free cotton candy, kids crafts from Crafts Direct (from 10-12 and 1-3), face painting and balloon animals, food trucks, and craft vendors! Celebrate the season and have a great time. For more information, click here.
Stony Brook Farm Harvest Fun Days
Weekends, October 2 – 31
Get into the autumn spirit with fall fun at Stony Brook Farm. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for kids, and 5 and under are free. That gets you in to the 12 acre corn cob corn maze plus the pumpkin patch, giant corn pit, food truck, pumpkin bowling, and much more! Open Saturdays and Sundays through October plus October 14th and 15th as well. Learn more here.
Millner Heritage Oktoberfest & Grape Stomp
October 2 & 3
Two days of fall grape-stomping fun at Millner Heritage Winery in Kimball? Yes please! Come out one or both days and enjoy free live music, games with wine prizes, wine flights, winery tours, craft vendors, food trucks, free admission and FREE grape stomping! Open 11am – 6pm both days. Learn more and plan your grape stomping adventure here.
Wine Knot
October 8
Bring your bestie, your entire squad, or make it a date night with the one you love! At Wine Knot, you’ll be treated to an evening of wine sampling, hors d’oeuvres, and dessert. Delight in dazzling jewelry, designer shoes, and more! It’s an evening out for you to enjoy and they’ll do all the planning! Plus, this year, Wine Knot St. Cloud is very excited to partner with the INDY Foundation, a Minnesota based nonprofit organization dedicated to giving support to real life warriors in the midst of their cancer battle. Learn more about this event and get your tickets here.
Boo at the Zoo
October 9
Dress up the kiddos and bring them out to Hemker Park & Zoo for a full day of wild Halloween fun! From 10am – 2pm, trick or treat around the zoo thanks to the generosity of many area business partners. Plus admission is discounted to $13, and age two and under get in for free! This is a family friendly, fun event that will take place rain or shine. Learn more and get your tickets now!
Miller Auto Food Truck Festival
October 9
St. Cloud State Homecoming
October 13 – 16
Celebrate Husky-style with homecoming events all weekend! The kickoff party is at noon on Wednesday on campus with tons of fun to follow including a bonfire, concerts, art exhibits, reunions, soccer, volleyball, a 5k, socials, art crawl, a fan fest, hockey, and much more! Get the full schedule of events and plan your homecoming experience here – whether you’re an alumni or not!
Art Crawl Downtown
October 15
Hosted in conjunction with St. Cloud State University’s homecoming celebrations, the downtown art crawl is always an evening of fun to celebrate art in Greater St. Cloud. Celebrate and experience the work of talented Central Minnesota artists while enjoying the warmth and charm of locally-owned shops, businesses and eateries in Historic Downtown St. Cloud! The crawl runs from 4pm – 9pm, and you can get the full list of artists and participating businesses here.
Hike @ Night
October 15 & 16
Glow sticks, bonfires, and specialty s’mores – there’s nothing like viewing nature at night. Explore night vision hiking on this guided hike, where each attendee will receive an assortment of glowing accessories, access to the gourmet s’more bar, and walk away with a fun fall surprise swag bag! There are two dates and locations to choose from, the 15th at Kraemer Lake Wildwood Park or the 16th at Mississippi River County Park, both from 6:30-9pm. Learn more and register here.
Kids & Parents Expo
October 23
It’s so nice to get more than one nights use out of those Halloween costumes – Right, parents?! The St. Cloud Kids and Parents Expo is full of safe, fun, indoor Halloween fun for families to enjoy including a trick-or-treat hour from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Other fun activities include a spooky experiment station, pumpkin painting, and a Halloween “make and take” craft. The event goes from 9:30am to 2pm, so learn more and plan your fun day here.
BooFest at Pine Grove Zoo
October 23
Dress up in your favorite costume and get ready for fun! BooFest includes games for kids, trick or treating, inflatables games, mini golf, and more. Plus plan ahead for the carved pumpkin contest! Drop off your pumpkin at the zoo anytime from October 18th to the 22nd to be entered. BooFest is only $5 per person, and runs from 3pm – 6pm. Plan your spooky-fun time and get your tickets here.
St. Cloud Craft Beer Festival
October 30