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This October, there is plenty of family and adults-only fun to be had in the Twin Cities metro area that doesn't involve 

 Renaissance Festival Grounds, 3525 145th St. W., Shakopee, Minn.

 Tickets are $25 or $20 if purchased ahead of time

The event's website claims that it's the biggest Halloween attraction in the Midwest. How could you miss that? 

This year, the event will feature an "Escape Room," where brave souls must race against a clock and break out of a room, and a giant game of Twister, among many other spooky activities.

2) BareBones Halloween Outdoor Puppet Extravaganza presents "You Were Once Wild Here" 

 Oct. 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31 at 7 p.m.

 Suggested donation of $10 or $20 at the gate

This outdoor puppetry and performance art piece can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. It's BareBones' 23rd annual production,  and this year's story line is still "a work in progress." Last year's show was full of real flames and a story of heart-sinking lies —  and cockroaches.

 Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

 Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul

This event is intended for children younger than 8 years old and offers an alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating. Kids are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. 

Unfortunately, most of the zoo animals go to bed around 4 p.m. every day, so the chances of seeing any beasties are slim.
 

4) Who Says I'm Dead? Hollywood's Greatest Ghosts! presents: "Topper" 

 The Heights Theater, 3951 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, Minn.

"Topper" was a 1937 film hit about a couple who die in car crash, but quickly realize they are stuck between heaven and hell because they didn't do anything right or wrong while they were alive. 

The couple decides that their ticket to the pearly gates will come from haunting their friend Topper and pushing him to live a little ... and buy a new sports car.

The Heights Theater sells candy and popcorn..
 

5) Boo-yonce: A Bey Halloween Party (21+) 

 Honey, 205 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

Local DJ Flip Phone is hosting an "All Bey, All Night" Halloween bash, with drag performances by Genevee Ramona Love.

 National Sports Center, 1700 105th Ave. NE, Blaine, Minn.

 Team fee of $180 to enter the tournament

This soccer tournament is open to any team of four players and a goalie. Seriously: 

Costumes on the field are encouraged, but only if they don't interfere with the game or have any pointy objects on them. Team slots fill quickly, and kids must be of high school or middle school age.
 

 Zombie Lot, First Avenue and 5th Street, Minneapolis

Thousands of the dead will rise and crowd the streets of downtown Minneapolis on Saturday night to bob their heads to the musical beats of Smash Mouth, Zomboy, Rae Sremmurd, Andrew W.K. and more.

Attendees are encouraged to pick up their event wristbands at a Twin Cities-area Ragstock store and get discounts on zombie makeup and costumes for the event. 

This year, the event will include a 50-foot inflatable zombie and a strict "no staggering into traffic" rule.

8) Minnesota Monster Dash half marathon/10-mile/5K 

 CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway St., St. Paul

What other opportunity will you have to run around downtown St. Paul dressed as The Flash or Batman without getting some very strange looks?
 


 Bottineau Field Park, 2000 Second St. NE, Minneapolis

This event is free and open the public and offers tons of decorating supplies to add some pizzazz to your pumpkin.
 

10) Strange Things: A Halloween Party (18+) 

 Mill City Nights, 111 5th St. N., Minneapolis

 Tickets are $10 ahead of time or $12 on the day of the show

 party features music by DJ Fancy Restaurant and DJ Shannon Blowtorch and a $500 prize for the best costume. Extra points if you show up dressed as a 

 Minnehaha Regional Park, 4801 S. Minnehaha Dr., Minneapolis

Roast marshmallows and stroll along the river to the falls during this family-friendly event. 

There will be hayrides, a bounce house and dancing for the kiddos, to expend some of that sugar-fueled energy.
 

 Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 6:30 p.m. throughout October

This year, the corn maze is barnyard-themed — and you're guaranteed to get a little lost somewhere between the cow's ear and the chicken's beak.
 

13) Light Up the Night and Grand Day Parade

 Main Street and Fifth Avenue, Anoka, Minn.

This marks the 96th year Anoka celebrates its reputation for being  "The Halloween Capitol of the World," and boasts as many lights and pumpkins as ever in two separate parades through the city's downtown.
 

Arts and Culture

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Hannah Weikel

Author

This October, there's plenty of family and adults-only fun to be had in the Twin Cities Metro area that doesn't involve creepy clown hoaxes.

25 freaky and fun things to do for Halloween in the Twin Cities

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