St. Paul Fall Event Guide 2026

By Tim Spitzack | Editor | October 2026

Fall is here! It’s time to soak in colorful foliage, savor the delightful flavors of harvesttime, and enjoy some frightful, family-friendly fun.

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors at Dodge Nature Center where events and guided activities are offered at the 110-acre property at 365 Marie Ave., W., West St. Paul. You’ll also find several miles of hiking trails through prairies, woodlands and wetlands, and a working farm with animals, raptor mews (birdhouse) and bee apiary. Trails are free to explore daily, sunrise to sunset.

Dodge is hosting a Pumpkin Painting Party at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6, and will provide everything you need to transform a pumpkin into your own seasonal masterpiece. It is also hosting a Halloween Extravaganza noon-4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at its Shepard Farm property at 8946 70th St. S., Cottage Grove. You can trick-or-treat through the woods, ride on the hay wagon to look for ghosts and goblins and meet slithery creatures. Try your luck at field games to win treats, then settle in for some silly science skits that will educate and entertain. Food will be available for purchase. $8 online; $10 at the gate. Ages 2 and under are free.

Leaf-peeping
With the Mississippi River in our backyard, it’s not hard to find fall foliage bursting with color. The gorge between St. Paul and Minneapolis is particularly stunning this time of year and features several overlooks for prime leaf viewing. Hike, bike or picnic at one of the many regional parks along the river or spend an afternoon driving the Great River Road as it winds through the Twin Cities and beyond.

To view the leaves from a different vantage point, book passage on one of the Padleford Riverboats’ fall sightseeing tours, held at noon on Saturdays and Sunday from October 1-25. The cruises depart from Harriet Island in St. Paul. Tickets are $22 for adults and $12 for ages 3-17. For more information, visit riverrides.com or call 651-369-6184.

Fresh produce
Nothing exemplifies autumn more than a fresh, juicy apple, and you don’t have to go far to find one.

Orchard Hill, 131 Wentworth Ave., West St. Paul, offers more than a dozen varieties picked and bagged for purchase. They also sell apple cider donuts, honey, maple syrup, pies, cider, apple butter, natural peanut butter, soups, seasonal decorations and more. Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.

Fall bounty is also available at your local farmers market. For the freshest and tastiest locally grown produce and other foods, visit:

• St. Paul Farmers Market, 290 5th St. E., Lowertown; 7 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sundays.
• West St. Paul Farmers Market, Signal Hills shopping center, 1225 S. Robert St.; 8 a.m.-noon on Fridays, through Oct. 30.
• West Side Farmers Market, 63 George St. W.; 9 a.m.-noon on Saturdays, through Oct. 3. You’ll also find arts, music and much more.

Fall Art Crawl
Vibrant colors will grace the cultural landscape this month with the return of the St. Paul Fall Art Crawl, held Oct. 16-18 at more than 30 venues across the city. Participating artists open their studios to meet the public, share stories of their art and creative processes, and sell their art. There is no obligation to purchase anything but bring your wallet because it’s likely you’ll find something that catches your eye. Some venues offer food and entertainment. For more information, visit stpaulartcollective.org.

Booya
Looking for some good, stick-to-your-bones stew? Find it at The World Championship Booya on October 3 during South St. Paul’s On the Road Again festival. Serving begins at 11 a.m. and goes until the last ladle is dished out. Community chefs use secret recipes to prepare a combined 700-800 gallons of stew as they compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. Sample their concoctions then cast your vote. Judging begins at noon. The festival is held along Southview Boulevard and nearby side streets and features craft and food vendors, flea market, chalk art contest, pickle contest, beer garden, car show, live music and a raffle.

Luther Memorial Church, 315 15th Ave. N., South St. Paul, will host Booya Sunday on October 11, from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. or until it’s gone.

Spooky fun
Shadows & Spirits of the State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., October 15-17 and 22-24. A guide will take you through the historic building’s shadowy rotunda, hallways and historic chambers, where history lingers around every corner. Tours are one-hour and leave every half-hour, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The last tour leaves at 8 p.m. $16 for adults, with discounts for seniors and children.

Trick-or-Teeing, 4-6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 at Par 3 golf course, 1695 Dodd Rd., Mendota Heights. Come in costume to this free trick-or-treating event featuring 6 holes of mini-golf, crafts, yard games, snacks and hot apple cider. Free.

Children’s Museum Halloween Party, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 24-25. The event features a dance party with DJ, trick-or-treating, games and crafts. Costumes encouraged. $30, includes museum admission. Order by Sept. 30 and receive $5 off. For more information, visit mcm.org/halloween-party.

BOOnion Depot, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, at Union Depot, 214 4th St. E., St. Paul. This free event features crafts, a DJ and dance zone with prizes and Halloween-themed entertainment. Halloween costumes encouraged.

Great Halloween Pumpkin Festival, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W., St. Paul. Festivities include a costume parade, face painting, crafts, a DJ spinning dance tunes, carnival games and plenty of candy.

Gangster Ghost Tour, 6-8:30 p.m., Wed., Oct. 28 at Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W., St. Paul. One night a year, the rumors of Landmark Center’s haunting come alive. Immerse yourself in the gritty world of bootlegging, gambling and bank heists in St. Paul. Encounter the infamous Barker gang, known for their daring bank robberies and kidnappings; Tim Filbin, the notorious slot machine ‘czar;’ and the notorious Molls, including Evelyn Frechette, John Dillinger’s infamous partner. Ages 12 and older. Hour-long tours begin at 6 p.m. and depart every 15 minutes. The last tour is at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $11.55 and go on sale October 1. Purchase in advance at landmarkcenter.org or by calling 651-292-3063.

Halloween Family Roller Skate Party, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29 at El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 Robie St. E. A Halloween themed roller-skating party with music, games and festive fun for all ages. Wear a costume that is safe for skating. Light concessions will be available for purchase. $2 for St. Paul residents; $3 nonresidents. Register for skate rental at stpaul.gov.

Halloween at Harmon Park, 5:30-7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31 at Harmon Park, 230 Bernard St. W., West St. Paul. Stop by for a treat, photos with a themed backdrop, and a bonfire. Restrooms open.

The Great Halloween Get Together, 5-7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31 on Marie Avenue between 4th and 7th avenues in South St. Paul. There will be music, fun activities and lots of treats provided by local businesses and organizations.