This Week in Geek (10/12/2026–10/18/2026)

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In-Person Events
Virtual Events

Welcome to This Week in Geek, your guide to events of interest to the Minnesota geek community for the week of Monday, October 12, to Sunday, October 18.

Although inclusion in This Week in Geek is not an official endorsement of any event or organizer, we do our best to feature events that appear safe, responsible, and consistent with our mission and values. If you feel that one of the events below is incompatible with Twin Cities Geek as an organization, we encourage you to contact us at info@twincitiesgeek.com with your concerns.

In-Person Events

Indigenous Peoples Weekend & Native American Food Truck Festival

What: Community, Family
When: Now through October 12
Where: Battle Creek Regional Park

While events are planned for the whole weekend, Monday features a variety of festivities to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, including a water blessing, a fashion show, workshops by Native artists, and a college fair. Workshops require registration, so check out the QR code on the event page for more info. At least 10 food trucks will be onsite between 10:00–2:00 p.m.

Pinehaven Farm Fall Festival

What: Family, Food & Drink
When: Weekends, Now through October 31, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming)

Enjoy a weekend of autumnal family fun at Pinehaven Farm. There will be 30+ activities and attractions, including picking pumpkins, launching them from a cannon, swimming through a corn pit, and more. There will also be sweet and savory snacks and drinks. Tickets are $15–$29. The festival runs weekends through October 31.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

What: Family, Community
When: Now through Sunday, November 1
Where: Minnesota Zoo

This is a chance to explore a trail of artistically carved glowing pumpkins at the Minnesota Zoo. This year boasts 5,000 carved pumpkins, glowing displays, and scattered trivia questions where the answers are the pumpkins. Tickets range from $19–$30, and zoo members receive a discount. There are also specially themed 18+ nights with tickets at $45.

The Dead End Hayride

What: Nightlife
When: Now through Sunday, November 1
Where: Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming)

Experience the terror of the night on this haunted hayride/walk featuring deranged horror scenes and dazzling pyrotechnics. Explore as much of the 160 acres as you dare! Recommended for ages 13+. Tickets start at $20.

Fourth Annual Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ Water Blessing

What: Community, Family
When: Monday, October 12, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Westwood Hills Nature Center (St. Louis Park)

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a water-blessing ceremony honoring Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ (Bassett Creek). Event includes arts, activities, and education tables. Free. Rain or shine.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, October 12, and Wednesday, October 14, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Union Depot

Get your yoga mat and water ready for a free yoga class at the beautiful Union Depot in St. Paul. This event is taught by Studio 9-to-5 in the Depot’s Waiting Room or in the East Plaza when the weather is nice. Monday’s class focuses on a total-body sculpt workout, while Wednesday’s class is less-intense general yoga for all levels. See the event page on the Union Depot website for more information.

Dungeons & Dragons Weekly One-Shot

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: The Forge (Chaska)

All levels of experience are welcome at this weekly one-shot D&D adventure. Tickets are $36.86 and include a premade character sheet, seven-dice set, a boba tea, and appetizers.

BuckSlam Open Poetry Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Indeed Brewing

BuckSlam is a monthly poetry slam where up to 12 performers use their words to battle it out over two rounds. There is a $1 cover and sign ups open up the day of the slam. The night’s top poet will walk away with the proverbial crown, $1, and a gift card to Indeed Brewing. “So grab a buck, grab a buddy, grab a beverage, and come experience some original poetry.”

Nerd Nite STP: October Edition

What: Educational, Food & Drink
When: Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Black Hart of St. Paul

The organizers of Nerd Nite invite you out for a night of “nice drink, good company, and some cold. hard. facts.” Those cold, hard facts come in the form of monthly “nerdy TED talks” in which community members dive into a topic they are passionate about. October’s event has presentations on Star Trek, enneagrams, and photography.

Night School: Rear Window

What: Movies, Educational
When: Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Main Cinema

MSP Film’s new series delves into film history and form the second Wednesday of each month. In this session, watch the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window and discuss theories of spectatorship. Tickets are $20.

Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale

What: Theater & Comedy, Family
When: Thursday, October 15, through Sunday, October 18, various times
Where: Mixed Blood Theatre

Enjoy a musical version of this story based on the characters from Beatrix Potter tales. Only 45 minutes long, this show encourages finding strength in community and standing up for what is right. Perfect for kids of all ages. Tickets are pay what you want.

17th Annual Twin Cities Film Fest

What: Movies
When: Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 24
Where: Marcus West End Cinema, Edina Mann Theatre, and streaming online

The 17th annual Twin Cities Film Fest returns with 10 days of film screenings, special-guest conversations, and educational panels. In-person festival passes for five to 12 screenings are $60–115. A stream pass is $60, which includes viewing access to all films that are available online. Individual in-person and virtual tickets are also available, and some film screenings and streams are available for free.

Free Thursday Nights at the History Center

What: Educational, Family
When: Thursday, October 15, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center

Explore Minnesota’s history with free admission and parking to the Minnesota History Center on Thursday nights. Exhibits include Then Now Wow, Our Home: Native Minnesota, Weather Permitting, and more.

Walker Art Center Art Club: Zines

What: Arts
When: Thursday, October 15, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center

Get creative at the Walker Art Center’s weekly Art Club during the museum’s free Thursday nights. Explore different mediums and ideas through themed activities designed to be accessible for all ages and all levels of experience. Materials are free while supplies last. This week create your own pocket-sized zine using elements from other magazines and art books.

Ken Russell’s The Devils Uncut 4K Restoration

What: Movies
When: Thursday, October 15, at 7:10 p.m.
Where: The Main Cinema

This restoration is based on Ken Russell’s private edit created in 2004 of the original 1971 The Devils movie. “Ken Russell’s The Devils is the uncut and unfiltered theatrical experience that Russell always envisioned.” Tickets are $13.

Shadows and Spirits of the State Capitol

What: Educational
When: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, through October 24
Where: Minnesota State Capitol

See the State Capitol lit as it was in the early 1900s during one of four guided tours each evening. “Along the way, visitors will encounter historical ‘spirits’ who tell stories of the Capitol’s past.” Tickets are $16 for adults with discounts for seniors and children.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17; various times
Where: Whitney Fine Arts Center

Metro State’s Theater Underground will perform Animal Farm multiple times through Saturday, October 24. This 80-year-old tale of revolution, power, and the fragility of truth, explores modern issues about how trust is won or lost and how small compromises can lead to something more dangerous. Tickets are free on a first-come, first-served basis, although a donation of a non-perishable food item is requested.

Austi-Con

What: Convention
When: Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton and Austin Conference Center (Austin)

Come see the greatest gaming event Austin, Minnesota has to offer with open gaming, miniature painting, scheduled events, and a silent auction! The silent auction is a charitable event with benefits going to the Autism Day Camp program in Austin. This event is sponsored by a number of gaming companies, including D6 Games, Atlas Games, and Evil Hat Productions. Admission is $30 for the whole weekend, or $20 for a family badge for Sunday.

Swingposium

What: Theater & Comedy, Music
When: Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18, various times
Where: CSPS Hall

“Swingposium blends taiko, big-band music, swing dancing, and immersive theater to tell the true history of how Japanese Americans found hope despite being detained in the US incarceration camps of WWII.” Designed for audience participation, expect to stand (and dance, if inclined) for most of the show. Swing-era costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door, with a discount available for 17 years and under.

St. Paul Art Crawl

What: Arts
When: Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18
Where: Union Depot

“Shop from local artists with a wide variety of options at Union Depot including painters, photographers, mixed media artists, jewelry designers and more!”

Twin Cities Horror Festival XV

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Friday, October 16, through Saturday, October 31
Where: The Crane Theater

The Twin Cities Horror Festival returns for its 15th year with 16 “terrifying days of onstage horror” at Minneapolis’s Crane Theater. This is a chance to explore family-friendly spookiness or deep-seated fears through theater. Individual tickets start at $15, with additional festival-pass options available.

Romanian Dark Legends: Monsters, Vampires, and the Undead

What: Educational
When: Friday, October 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Sibley Historic Site (Mendota)

Learn about centuries of spine-chilling myths and tales from Romania and how they have influenced modern horror and vampire lore. Tickets are $20, with a discount for members, and include drinks and light refreshments.

Haunted Trail and St. Paul Scary Movies Series: The Nightmare Before Christmas

What: Movies, Community
When: Friday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Battle Creek Recreation Center

Enjoy a free night of community and movie magic under the stars! Start off with games, a spooky guided walk in the woods, and food trucks. Afterwards, pull up a lawn chair or blanket for an outdoor showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Movie is expected to begin about 8:00 p.m. The event is weather dependent, so be sure to check the event page for any updates.

Viking Fest

What: Community, Family, Educational
When: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Dakota County Fairgrounds (Farmington)

Celebrate Viking heritage and Norse mythology. Visitors can be immersed in all aspects of Viking life, from cooking, to entertainment, to warfare. Don’t miss out on history and traditions brought to life in the present day. Admission is $29.95 for adults and teens; $14.95 for children 5–12 years old; discounted season passes and family packs are available.

Bizarre Bazaar

What: Arts, Community
When: Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Carleton Artist Loft

Browse a variety of creepy art made by local artists as well as some of the freaky puppets of Phantom Chorus Theatre. Free drinks, popcorn, and craft activities also available.

Havoc at the Pavek: Local Legends

What: Gaming, Educational, Family, Cosplay
When: Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Pavek Museum

Complete STEM experiments to solve a mystery and gain access to a mysterious hidden exhibit in this escape-room-style event. Costumes encouraged. Tickets are pay what you can, with suggested pricing of $12 for adults and $7 for students and military.

Bloodcurdling Book Bash

What: Books
When: Saturday, October 17, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: DoubleTree Bloomington South

Fans of horror/thriller books will enjoy this event packed with various authors, crafters, vendors, and tarot readers. “Whether you are a die-hard horror fan, a psychological thriller addict, or just looking for a deliciously spooky Saturday out, this is the event of the season.” Special themed beverages available. Admission is $7.59.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: River Park (Brooklyn Park)

Play games and face off in battle with other live-action roleplay (LARP) enthusiasts. This free event is hosted by Greenharbor LARP, a local chapter of the global medieval-fantasy combat LARP organization Amtgard. New players are encouraged to join in on the fun and all equipment is provided for free.

Light Up the Night Parade

What: Family, Community
When: Saturday, October 17, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Corner of 1st Ave and Main Street (Anoka)

Enjoy a family-friendly parade on Anoka’s Main Street! The parade will feature brightly illuminated floats with Halloween themes. This popular event officially starts at 7:00 p.m., but attendees can arrive any time after 4:00 p.m. to claim a spot on the route. Stick around after the parade to warm up by the bonfires while enjoying food and live music.

Scooby-Doo Zombie Island Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy, Food & Drink
When: Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Crave Rooftop

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week features Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, Fred, Scooby-Doo, and maybe a zombie or two! Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $20.98, and attendees must purchase an entrée during the event.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 18, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Source Comics and Games

Shieldmaiden Sundays are a dedicated space for female-identifying (including trans women/femme) and nonbinary nerds and geeks at Source Comics and Games. This is a recurring weekly event providing a space for women to play games, chat about comics, cosplay, or just enjoy the company of other geeks. Be sure to check out the Source calendar for additional events!

Nerdy Networking

What: Community, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Dreamers Vault Games

Geeks of all types are welcome to come network and find connections with others.

Vilification Tennis Haunts Your House

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, October 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Strike Theater

Vilification Tennis, a local structured improv show focused on insult contests, returns for a night of comedy centered around everyday frights. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door.

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Virtual Events

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, October 12, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Minecraft and Discord

St. Paul’s 825 Arts hosts a virtual gathering space “by kids for kids” in Minecraft with a club meetup every Monday where teens and preteens can play, design, participate in theme challenges, and just hang out. Check out the website for information on joining their server, a technical FAQ, moderation and safety information for parents, and other Minecraft events.

Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night

What: Trivia
When: Monday, October 12, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

Get your trivia on from the comfort of home with Geeks Who Drink’s online trivia night. Prove your mettle, and maybe learn a little something!

Virtual Makers Mornings

What: Community, Arts
When: Tuesday, October 13, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Join fellow makers at this morning social hour hosted by the American Swedish Institute. This free event is open to all kinds of crafts and is intended as a place to share projects, make some progress, and socialize. Registration is required.

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, October 14, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

Weekly gathering to play online board and video games for grades 6–12. Hosted by the Ramsey County Library. Registration required.

Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs

What: Movies
When: Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Enjoy a free screening of an obscure film with Miss Emmy Martian and other cinephiles every Wednesday night. The film kicks off at 7:00 p.m., but drop in early for the pre-show and stick around after for the Cartoon Funhouse.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord

The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Wednesday from 7:00–9:00 p.m. on the Twin Cities Geeks Discord. Hop on voice or video and chat while you create art, then share your finished pieces on the #art-club channel! This event is open to all. Join the server by visiting twincitiesgeek.com/discord.

17th Annual Twin Cities Film Fest

What: Movies
When: Thursday, October 15, through Saturday, October 24
Where: Streaming online, and also at Marcus West End Cinema and Edina Mann Theatre 

The 17th annual Twin Cities Film Fest returns with 10 days of film screenings, special-guest conversations, and educational panels. A stream pass is $60, which includes viewing access to all films that are available online. Individual in-person and virtual tickets are also available, and some film screenings and streams are available for free. In-person festival passes for five to 12 screenings are $60–115.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—The Knight’s Templar: The Rise, Fall, and Legend of Europe’s First Military Order

What: Educational
When: Friday, October 16, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom

The Smithsonian Institution, home to famed museums and world-class research centers, is bringing educational programs and art courses online for all to enjoy. At this event, get a better understanding of the Knights Templar and “why the order became so influential, why it became so vulnerable, and why its memory has proved so magnetic.” Tickets are $35, and there is a discount for Smithsonian members. Check out the streaming-series webpage for the many other upcoming events this week.

Frolic in Brine, Goblins Be Thine!?: The “Demonic Sea” in the Ringu films

What: Educational
When: Saturday, October 17, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week takes a look at how the Ringu horror universe utilizes the sea, which is often represented as a demon in Japanese horror. Romancing the Gothic events are free to attend, but donations or patronage to support the series are encouraged.

Virtual Transmission

What: Music, Nightlife
When: Saturday, October 17, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Twitch

The popular Transmission dance night is hosting a weekly virtual music-video stream. DJ Jake Rudh will be bringing New Wave, Alternative, and more ’80s-centric greats directly to your home. So, dance, dance, dance to the radio (or, in this case, Twitch stream).

Virtual Dungeons & Dragons for Teens

What: Gaming
When: Sunday, October 18, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom and Roll20

Online D&D for grades 6–12 hosted by the Ramsey County Library. All experience levels welcome. Registration required.

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So, which of these events will you be attending? What events would you like to see featured in the future? Let us know in the comments section below or contact us via email. And don’t forget to add your events to the Twin Cities Geek Community Calendar!