A ghoulish guide to Halloween events in the Bemidji area
Oct. 13—BEMIDJI — It's clear to see from the homes and storefronts sporting jack-o'-lanterns and waving skeletons that Halloween is almost here.
From enjoying the fall weather on an enchanted Halloween walk to dancing the night away at a spooky EDM costume party, there are plenty of events in the Bemidji area where children, adults and even dogs can get in on the Halloween fun.
Whether you're looking for trick-or-treating festivities or just a place to show off your costume, here's a look at some of the area's Halloween happenings.
to have your event added to the list.
Traveling Art Pub Bemidji's Kids Art Studio will host a Halloween day camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the studio, 305 Park Ave. NW.
The camp is geared toward children in grades 2-6 and includes guided instruction on multiple mediums.
Doors open at 8:45 a.m. A light snack and beverage will be provided, but participants should bring a lunch from home and any additional items they may need for the day. Attendees are also asked to wear clothes they don't mind getting messy.
Tickets cost $45 per child and pre-registration is required.
To purchase tickets, visit
thetravelingartpub.com/bemidjistudio
and click on "Kids Halloween Day Camp" under the "Kids Events" section.
Watermark Art Center presents "Spooked" as the theme for the Oct. 19 StorySLAM to be held at 7 p.m. in the basement of Keg N' Cork, 310 Beltrami Ave. NW.
Participants will have a chance to share or listen to true personal stories told from memory in a friendly competition. Performers are encouraged to consider the theme when crafting their story, a release said.
The StorySLAM is free to attend and perform at, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top three performers. Storytellers are encouraged to pre-register by calling Watermark at
(218) 444-7570.
Limited same-day sign-ups may be available but are not guaranteed.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Costumes are encouraged for both performers and audience members at this event.
For SLAM rules, visit
The city of
Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department
will host a family Halloween dance from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 1019 Paul Bunyan Drive S.
The family-friendly event will include dancing, dinner and Halloween crafts. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes as there will be a contest with prizes. Costumes should not be too scary as the dance is a family-friendly event, a release said.
The cost is $25 per participant, and children younger than 4 years old are free.
To register, visit
The city of
Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department
will hold a Bark N Boo event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Nymore Dog Park, 625 Miles Ave. SE.
Attendees are encouraged to dress up their dogs for the event, which will include puppy activities, prizes and treat bags, a release said. A costume contest for dogs will be held at 6 p.m.
The cost to participate is $6 per household. To register, visit
The Bluebelle Event Venue will host an 80s Party Halloween Bash from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, at the venue, 4710 Jacks Rd. NW.
Participants can dance to 80s hits, sing karaoke, enter a costume contest, pose for a Halloween photo shoot and enjoy a hot appetizer and drink bar.
This event is for ages 21 and older.
Tickets are available for $18 if pre-purchased and $20 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased using the link on the
"80s Party Halloween Bash" post
on the
Bluebelle Event Venue Facebook page.
A Boo Bash Halloween party will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, at North Country Park.
At the event, attendees can play Halloween games, listen to spooky stories, search for hidden Halloween characters and win prizes. Costumes are strongly encouraged.
As this is an outdoor event, participants should dress for the weather.
The cost to attend is $20 per family. To register, visit
The Apple Blossom Village will host an Enchanted Halloween Walk fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28, in the yurts in the outdoor space at Rail River Folk School, 303 Railroad St. NW.
"Walk the jack-o'-lantern lit path, experience shadow puppetry, stories and fairytales, enter the Enchanted Fairytale Village, stop by the yurts for treats and Halloween fun, and cider at the campfire," a release said. "The Autumn Bake Shoppe will be open with $1 to $5 treats."
Walks will begin approximately every half hour and participants should dress for the weather.
As this is a family event, organizers ask that attendees refrain from wearing horror/gory costumes, the release said.
The event is open to the community and geared toward those ages 2 to 10 and their families. The cost is $10 per person or $40 for families in the same household up to eight people, ages 2 and younger are free.
Tickets are available online at
appleblossomvillage.org/festivals-events
or at the gate.
Bemidji's annual Treat Street event will take place this year from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Sanford Center, 1111 Event Center Drive NE.
Participants are encouraged to wear costumes to this community trick-or-treating event hosted by RP Broadcasting and Paskvan Media. Children and their guardians will traverse the building collecting treats from Bemidji-area business sponsors.
Tickets are free with a limit of one per child and are available at multiple Bemidji area businesses. For more information, visit the
2023 Treat Street Facebook Page
or call
(218) 751-7777.
Great Haven Campground will host a Halloween party from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the campground, 130 Spirit Ave. NW, Wilton.
Attendees can enjoy trick-or-treating, games, music, outdoor movies and food trucks.
Participants should come dressed in their best costume for a chance to win a cash prize in the costume contest, a release said.
For more information, visit the
Great Haven Campground Facebook page.
A Haunted House of DJs event will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Rail River Folk School, 303 Railroad St. NW.
This spooky EDM costume party is for ages 18 and older and will feature The Dub Spectres, ZENATO and CVI, a release said.
Tickets cost $10 at the door.
For more information, visit the
Rail River Folk School Facebook page.
The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department is set to hold a Boo Dash 5K on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Bemidji City Park.
Costumes are strongly encouraged. Registration will start at 9 a.m. with the race starting at 10 a.m.
Pre-registration cost is $15, or $20 for day-of registration. To register, visit
Lake Bemidji State Park will host a spooky candlelight hike from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, at the park, 3401 State Park Road NE.
The self-guided hike is family-friendly and will follow the Paul Bunyan State Trail. Costumes are encouraged and there will be games, treats and crafts at the visitor center.
For more information, visit the
Lake Bemidji State Park website
or call
(218) 308-2300.
All vehicles entering the park will need a valid Minnesota state park vehicle permit, which costs $7 per day or $35 per year.
Headwaters Science Center's annual Boofest will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the center, 413 Beltrami Ave. NW.
This event is geared toward children and their families and attendees can collect treats, participate in games and view science demonstrations. Boofest is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit
Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College will host on-campus Halloween-themed events and activities on Oct. 31 at BSU and NTC campuses.
Trick-or-Treating at the Residence Halls is back at BSU for another year of Halloween fun. Residents in BSU's Birch, Linden, Oak and Tamarack halls will be on hand to deliver treats and possibly a few tricks from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, or until costumed visitors have drained participating rooms of candy.
Rooms with trick-or-treat tags are participating in the event, and visitors can pick up lists of participating rooms at each building's front desk. For more information, contact BSU's Office of Housing and Residential Life at
(218) 755-3750
or
NTC Halloween Party, coordinated by the college's Child Care Club, will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Attendees can enjoy games and activities and tour a treat route that encompasses the entire college, visiting NTC students, faculty and staff.
The Halloween Party is free and open to the public, but a donation of non-perishable food items for the college's student food pantry is suggested. Participants should enter from the west parking lot. For more information, contact Heather Sutherland, NTC early childhood education instructor, at
Bemidji First Assembly of God will host its third annual Shine Light "Trunk N' Treat" event from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the church parking lot, 1015 Fourth St. SE.
This Halloween alternative event is where families can receive trinkets and candy from cars set up in the parking lot.
The event is free to attend and open to the public. For more information, contact the church at
(218) 751-2485.
Bemidji Covenant Church will host a Shine Carnival from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the church, 5405 Hart Lane NW.
The family-friendly event will include games, prizes and a hot dog dinner. For more information, visit the
Shine Carnival Facebook page.
