🎃 Events and Things to do October 2025 in Rochester Minnesota 🎃
Your Complete Guide to Fall Fun in the Med City
Welcome to Rochester’s ultimate October 2025 events guide! As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, our beloved Med City transforms into a autumn wonderland filled with harvest festivals, Halloween happenings, and family-friendly fall fun. Whether you’re a long-time resident or visiting for the season, we’ve gathered all the must-see events happening this October.
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🎃 Quarry Hill Halloween Hike October 25-26
Join us for a not-too-spooky evening adventure through Quarry Hill Nature Center’s trails! This family-friendly event features decorated paths, costumed characters, and treats along the way. Perfect for kids ages 3-12. Registration required, and spots fill up fast! The trails will be lit with jack-o’-lanterns and feature interactive story stations where local actors bring Halloween tales to life.
🍎 Rochester Farmers Market Fall Festival Every Saturday
Our beloved farmers market continues through October with special fall offerings! Find the perfect pumpkins, fresh apple cider, homemade pies, and seasonal produce. Local artisans will be showcasing handmade crafts perfect for autumn decorating. Live music from 9 AM to noon, and don’t miss the apple pie contest on October 18th!
🏛️ History Center Ghost Tours October 10, 17, 24, 31
Explore Rochester’s haunted history with guided tours through downtown’s most mysterious locations. Learn about the spirits that supposedly inhabit our historic buildings, hear tales of the old State Hospital, and discover the darker side of Med City’s past. Tours begin at 7 PM and 9 PM each Friday. Adults $15, Students $10.
🎪 Special Event: Autumn Moon Festival
October 11-12 at Silver Lake Park
A brand new festival celebrating the harvest season with food trucks, craft vendors, a beer garden featuring local breweries, and live entertainment on two stages. Saturday features a chili cook-off competition, and Sunday hosts the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Free admission, family-friendly activities all weekend!
🎭 Rochester Civic Theatre: “Young Frankenstein” Oct 3-19
The hilarious musical adaptation of Mel Brooks’ classic film comes to life on stage! This monster of a comedy features all the beloved characters in a production that’s perfect for the Halloween season. Evening performances Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday matinees. Get your tickets early – this show always sells out!
🌽 Sekapp Orchard Corn Maze Weekends through October
Get lost in Southeast Minnesota’s premier corn maze! This year’s design celebrates Rochester’s 165th anniversary with a Med City themed maze. Enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, pumpkin picking, and fresh apple cider donuts. Friday nights feature flashlight maze adventures, and don’t miss the haunted maze on October 30-31!
🍺 Forager Brewery Oktoberfest October 4-5
Prost! Celebrate Oktoberfest Rochester-style with special beer releases, traditional German food, live polka music, and stein-holding competitions. The outdoor beer garden will be decorated in Bavarian style, and attendees in traditional German attire receive a discount. Family-friendly until 8 PM with kids’ activities and root beer.
🎃 Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail
October 31, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Peace Plaza and downtown businesses team up for Rochester’s biggest trick-or-treat event! Over 50 participating locations will hand out candy and prizes. Look for the orange pumpkin signs in windows. Costume parade starts at 3:30 PM at Peace Plaza with prizes for best costumes in multiple age categories!
📚 Rochester Public Library Halloween Programs Throughout October
The library offers spooky story times, pumpkin decorating workshops, and teen horror movie nights all month long. Special events include a Harry Potter escape room (registration required), DIY costume workshop on October 18th, and the annual Halloween Comic Con on October 25th. Most programs are free but require advance registration.
🏃♀️ Monster Dash 5K/10K October 26
Run or walk in costume through Rochester’s scenic trails! This charity race benefits local food shelves and starts at Soldiers Field. Post-race party includes hot cider, pumpkin treats, and awards for best costumes. Early bird registration $35, includes commemorative t-shirt and finisher medal. Kids Fun Run at 9 AM, main races start at 10 AM.
