What to do this Halloweekend in the Twin Cities
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Scenes from BareBones' 2024 Halloween show. Photo: Cici Yixuan Wu with MindTwist Studio
Larger-than-life puppets, stilt walkers, fire artists, musicians and more will return to Powderhorn Park this week for BareBones Puppetry's 33rd annual Halloween Extravaganza.
Driving the news: This year's theme, "Hum, Honk, Howl: As Above, So Below," explores themes of grief, life, death and hope, co-directors said in their annual artist statement.
- Community bands Brass Messengers and Brass Solidarity will perform after the Friday and Saturday shows, respectively.
How it works: Performances last 45-60 minutes, guests should bring their own seating, and advance reservations are highly recommended — shows frequently sell out.
- Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested $20 donation.
Details: Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. Gates open at 6pm and shows begin at 7pm.
- Pro tip: Get there before gates open if you want a good spot. Seating areas are first-come, first-serve.
More things to do …
🦇 Bring the kids to a (replica) bat cave at Saturday's Minnesota Bat Festival in Bloomington. The event features plenty of kid-friendly activities, panels with bat experts and a bat-themed costume contest. Saturday, 10am-4pm. Free.
🏢 Explore downtown in costume at the inaugural Saint Paul Skyway Trick-or-Treat on Saturday afternoon.
- Wells Fargo Place and Town Square Center will host treat stops, a candy trading station, "spooky yoga" and more family-friendly indoor activities. Saturday, 1-4pm. Free, but registration requested.
🐶 Does your dog tolerate wearing a Halloween outfit? Bring them to Edina's Halloween Dog Paw-rade on Saturday, where costumed pups will parade down France Avenue for the chance to win prizes from Chuck & Don's. Saturday, 1pm. Free.
- Humans are also welcome to trick-or-treat around 50th & France from 11am-1pm. Free.
👻 Grab your costume (and neoprene base layers) for the annual Nokomis Costume Paddle, where standup paddleboarders take a spin around the lake wearing their Halloween best. Spectators are welcome! Saturday, 1:30-3pm. Free.
💀 Día de los Muertos, the two-day cultural celebration remembering the dead, is Sunday and Monday — but you can get a head start at Festival de las Calaveras Saturday afternoon.
- The volunteer-led Latino music and arts festival in Minneapolis embraces both ancestral and modern interpretations of the holiday, per organizers.
- Expect a procession along Lake Street, community memorials, lucha libre, a Cine Latino film showcase, indoor live music and more. Saturday, 3-11pm. Outdoor events are free; indoor program tickets are $10-$20.