This Week in Geek (10/19/2026–10/25/2026)

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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 19, to Sunday, October 25.

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

17th Annual Twin Cities Film Fest

What: Movies
When: Now 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.

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 are 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.

Twin Cities Horror Festival XV

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now 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.

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.

Lizzie: The Rock Musical

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Now through Sunday, November 1
Where: Open Eye Theatre

The award-winning Lizzie: The Rock Musical “is a suspenseful, queer, and rebellious new musical laced with political depth and a mischievous sense of humor.” The story explores the events leading up to the sensationalized trial of her parents’ axe murder, with Lizzie as the prime suspect. Tickets are $15–$35. (Read: “Lizzie: The Rock Musical Brings Punk-Rock Power and Historical Reinterpretation to the Open Eye Theatre”)

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.

Free Yoga at Union Depot

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, October 19, and Wednesday, October 21, 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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books

What: Arts
When: Tuesday, October 20, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Art

Take a specially curated tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s collection as inspired by books. Each month’s tour will focus on a different book for inspiration, with October exploring Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.

Minnesota Neighbors Film Screening and Rebel Loon Archive Reception

What: Movies, Community
When: Tuesday, October 20, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Landmark Center

As part of United Against Hate Week, the League of Women Voters of Minnesota is presenting a free screening of Minnesota Neighbors, which profiles the kindness and peaceful actions that Minnesota residents showed while standing up for their community after two citizens were killed by federal agents during ICE’s Operation Metro Surge. Before the screening there will be a display of selections from the Rebel Loon Archive.

Dungeons & Dragons Weekly One-Shot

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, October 21, 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.

Twin Cities Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developers Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking.

Pundamonium: The Minneapolis Pun Slam

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Wednesday, October 21, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Club Underground at the Spring Street Tavern

Pundamonium is a pun slam—a competition of wordplay with 10 contestants, each given two minutes to make puns based on prompts they are given ahead of time. A few lucky audience members act as judges for the night, with their top four pun slingers going head to head in a final pun off. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Walker Art Center Art Club: Jewelry Making

What: Arts
When: Thursday, October 22, 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 features an open studio for jewelry making perfect for mending a favorite piece, working on a current project, or experimenting with a new idea.

Shadows and Spirits of the State Capitol

What: Educational
When: Thursday, October 22 through Saturday, 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.

Outlander in Concert: Echoes Through the Highlands

What: Music, Movies
When: Thursday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Where: State Theatre

Relive the Outlander TV series at this cinematic concert featuring a live symphony and selected scenes from all eight seasons. Tickets start at $58.45.

Hitchtober

What: Movies
When: Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25
Where: State Theatre (Hutchinson)

This month, the State Theatre in Hutchinson is featuring a slate of Hitchcock films over three days. There will also be a special introduction to the screening of Rebecca by theater co-owner Jayson Wall, who oversaw the film’s restoration during his Walt Disney Studios tenure. Tickets are $6.50–$7.50 for individual screenings or $20–$40 for multifilm passes. (Read: “From Hollywood to Hutchinson, Inside the State Theatre’s Big-Screen Revival”)

Hatsune Miku International Folk Dance Party

What: Sports & Fitness, Music
When: Friday, October 23, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tapestry Folkdance Center

Join the Tapestry Folkdance Center for a Hatsune Miku-inspired dance party that brings together modern and traditional music. Learn beginner-friendly dances and enjoy a performance by Taiko Shine. There will also be an assortment of international refreshments. Cosplay and Hatsune Miku fits are enthusiastically welcomed but not required. Tickets are $10–$17 for adults or $4 for those under 18.

St. Paul Scary Movies Series: Halloween (1978)

What: Movies, Community
When: Friday, October 23, at dusk (approximately 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Como Park Midway Pavilion

Enjoy a free night of community and movie magic under the stars! Screening this week is the classic John Carpenter film Halloween that launched a franchise. The film starts at dusk but arrive early for lawn games and to grab a treat from Jenni’s Cafe food truck. The event is weather dependent, so be sure to check the event page for any updates. Please note that this week’s film screening is rated R and intended for adults.

Halloween Skate Party

What: Nightlife, Sports & Fitness
When: Friday, October 23, at 9:00 p.m.
Where: Cheap Skate (Coon Rapids)

Enjoy a spooky trip to the roller rink with this Halloween-focused evening of fun at Cheap Skate. There will be a costume contest with prizes across different categories, as well as a raffle and photo booth. This is an evening for folks 18 and older. Tickets are $15.

Sinners Halloween Juke Joint Party

What: Nightlife, Music
When: Friday, October 23, at 9:30 p.m.
Where: Gluek’s Restaurant & Bar

“Feed the spirits of music and rebellion“ at this Sinners-inspired Halloween party. Expect a night of blues, rock, and boogie featuring live performances by Courtnie Baby Johnson, TC Henry, Alex Gonzalez, Johnathan Ross, Jamison Rasbury, Butchy Austin, Donnie La Marca, and José James. There will also be tarot sessions and other spooky surprises. Attendees are encouraged to “dress to impress or distress” in costume. Entry is free, but tips are appreciated.

MN STEM Book Festival

What: Books, Science & Tech, Family
When: Saturday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Bakken Museum

The MN STEM Book Festival features a full day of author panels, hands-on activities, a marketplace of vendors, kids corner, and full access to the Bakken Museum exhibits. This year’s guest authors include Dr. Marlene Zuk, Kathryn Nuernberger, Cary J. Griffith, Valerie Tiberius, Dr. Brittany Lewis, Ruth DeFoster, Nate Pedersen, and more. This event is free but pre-registration is required to attend the panels.

Spotlight Science: Beavers and Beyond!

What: Science & Tech
When: Saturday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Bell Museum

Spotlight Science is an event series that brings the current science happening at the University of Minnesota to the community through interactive experiences and special guests. This month is all about beavers and other semi-aquatic mammals. Activities include a life-size beaver lodge, fossil and specimen displays, a dam-building challenge, and more. This event is included with regular admission, which is $12–$15, or free for museum members and University of Minnesota students.

Hmong Arts Festival

What: Arts
When: Saturday, October 24, at 12:00 p.m.
Where: Mall of America

This free festival celebrates the creativity, resiliency, and cultural legacy of Hmong arts. The event will feature live performances from musicians, dancers, storytellers, and visual artists, as well as vendors and cultural showcases.

Grande Day Parade

What: Family, Community
When: Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Main Street (Anoka)

Enjoy a family-friendly Halloween parade in Anoka, the unofficial Halloween capital of the world. This popular annual tradition dating back to 1920 features themed floats, community organizations, and plenty of crazy costumes.

Greenharbor LARP Amtgard Outdoor Park Day

What: Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, October 24, 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.

Gibbs Farm’s 5th Annual Steampunk Halloween Trick-or-Treat Trail

What: Family
When: Saturday, October 24, at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Gibbs Farm (Falcon Heights)

Travel down the transformed Gibbs Farm trail for some steampunk trick-or-treating and activities. “Visit the twisting stacks of books at the library, match wits with a traveling magician, make friends with a fairy, and decide whether or not to throw your lot in with some mischievous sky pirates.” The trail experience is 40 minutes long and pre-registration for a time slot is required. Tickets for trick-or-treaters are $5–$15, and tickets for accompanying adults are $10.

Halloween K-Pop Random Dance Play

What: Music, Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, October 24, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: United Noodles

Enjoy an afternoon of free Halloween-themed K-pop fun! There will be live performances, two hours of random dance play, vendors, raffles, a workshop, and costume contest.

Spooky Trains

What: Family
When: Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31, at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Twin City Model Railroad Museum

The Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum is getting into the spooky spirit with Halloween-themed trains and decorations on their layouts. Costumes are welcome and they will be handing out treats. Tickets are $10.

Dungeon Crawler Meetup

What: Meetup
When: Saturday, October 24, at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Pryes Brewing Company

“Attention, Crawlers! Against all reasonable expectations, you have survived long enough to unlock a **SOCIAL ENCOUNTER**.” Meet up with fellow Dungeon Crawler Carl fans, discuss the series, and make new Crawler allies while enjoying some food and drinks at Pryes Brewing.

BOOnion Depot

What: Family
When: Sunday, October 25, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Union Depot

Enjoy a spooky family-friendly day in the transformed Union Depot! This free event features a bunch of fun activities, including pumpkin crafting, dancing to a DJ, face-painting, and more. Costumes are encouraged!

Clue Murder Mystery Drag Brunch

What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, October 25, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Crave

Enjoy a themed drag performance and a delicious meal at one of Flip Phone’s popular brunch events. This week takes inspiration from the classic board game Clue sure to be filled with character style, whodunnit humor, and saucy accusations. Costumes and singing along are encouraged. Tickets are $20.98, and attendees must purchase the entrée during the event.

Twin Cities Pride Trunk-or-Treat

What: Family
When: Sunday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Loring Park

Head over to Loring Park for a free afternoon of trunk-or-treating, activities, and games with Twin Cities Pride. There will be plenty of decorated cars handing out treats, including MN PokéCon’s PikaSoul.

Shieldmaiden Sunday

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 25, 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!

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Virtual Events

17th Annual Twin Cities Film Fest

What: Movies
When: Now 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.

825 Arts Minecraft Club

What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Monday, October 19, 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 19, 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 20, 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.

entoL!VE–Tardigrades: The Microscopic Animals with Survival Superpowers

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual event

Learn about insects and the science of invertebrates with the free entoL!VE webinar series. This week’s event explores the superpower-like survival abilities of the microscopic tardigrade including how they evolved and the genetics behind them.

Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—Paranoia on Screen: The Sci-Fi and Horror Movies of the Cold War Era

What: Educational
When: Tuesday, October 20, at 5:30 p.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, film historian Max Alvarez dives into sci-fi and horror movies of the 1950’s, where tensions from real-world developments in technology, science, and politics seeped on screen through fearsome aliens, robots, and monsters. Tickets are $45, and there is a discount for Smithsonian members. Check out the streaming-series webpage for the many other upcoming events this week.

Gaming Wednesdays for Teens: Virtual Gaming

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, October 21, 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 21, 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 Playtest

What: Gaming
When: Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Noble Robot and Virtual via YouTube

This playtest event run by the Twin Cities chapter of the International Game Developer’s Association highlights games that are currently in development. Participants (either online or in-person) can play the games, demo their projects, or simply watch along to see what the community has cooking.

Twin Cities Geek Art Club

What: Arts
When: Wednesday, October 21, 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.

Body Snatchers of New York: A History of the City’s Stolen Dead

What: Educational
When: Thursday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

As the medical profession grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, so did the demand for human cadavers, resulting in a rise of bodysnatching and other illicit means of acquiring body parts. This webinar dives into the history of bodysnatching in New York including what caused the demand, the professionals and organized gangs behind it, family-led graveyard resistances, profiles of specific odd cases, the practice’s appearance in media, and its controversial legacy into modern tissue brokers and black-market sales. Tickets are $18.88.

The Roman Noir Film-Serials of Louis Feuillade with John Hartley

What: Educational
When: Saturday, October 24, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual event

Romancing the Gothic hosts weekly classes and events exploring gothic, romantic, and horror topics. This week examines the 1913–1916 crime serials of French filmmaker Louis Feuillade, including Fantômas, Les Vampires, and Judex, which presaged later pulp superheroes. 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 24, 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 25, 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!