Jump to:
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, September 29, to Sunday, October 5.
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
The Dead End Hayride
What: Nightlife
When: Now through Sunday, November 2
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. Food and beverages also available for purchase.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
What: Family, Community
When: Now through Sunday, November 2
Where: Minnesota Zoo
This is a chance to explore a trail of artistically carved glowing pumpkins at the Minnesota Zoo. This year’s theme is “What Goes Bump in the Night,” and features new artists’ creations. Tickets range from $19 to $30, and zoo members receive a discount.
Pinehaven Farm Fall Festival
What: Family, Food & Drink
When: Weekends, Now through November 2, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming)
Enjoy a weekend of autumnal family fun at Pinehaven Farm in Wyoming, Minnesota. 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 $14–25. The festival runs weekends through November 2.
Free Yoga at Union Depot
What: Sports & Fitness
When: Monday, September 29, and Wednesday, October 1, 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.
Victoria Fire Department Community Open House
What: Community, Educational, Family
When: Monday, September 29, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Victoria Fire Department (Victoria)
Hands-on activities include riding in a fire truck, working with a fire hose, and navigating through a smokey house, as well as demonstrations on fire safety and drone usage for both firefighting and search-and-rescue operations.
Minneapolis Institute of Art Public Tours: Inspired by Books
What: Arts
When: Tuesday, September 30, 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 September exploring The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tours meet in the General Mills Lobby on the first floor.
Catacomb Cinema Club
What: Movies, Trivia, Cosplay
When: Tuesday, September 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bryant Lake Bowl
The folks behind the Haunted Basement are crawling out of the depths to host a monthly horror movie night at Bryant Lake Bowl. The event will also feature trivia, a costume contest, and prizes. Screening this month is The Old Dark House. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
Dungeons & Dragons Live!
What: Gaming, Theater & Comedy
When: Tuesday, September 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Greenway Recording
Join Game Master Bed Stoddart and Badwolf’s storytellers for a live, one-shot recording. Audience interaction encouraged. Sit inside the recording studio for $25, including an opportunity to meet the cast after the show, or watch the action on a screen from the lounge for $5.
Walker Art Center Art Club
What: Arts
When: Thursday, October 2, 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 levels of experience. Materials are free while supplies last. This week, work with acrylic paints. Start a new project, or bring one already in progress. All experience levels welcome.
Break My Game Playtesting
What: Gaming
When: Thursday, October 2, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: 2DHQ
Help local independent game designers improve their games. “Your voice helps a good game become great!” No cost to players, but donations are appreciated.
Gaylaxicon 2025
What: Convention
When: Friday, October 3, through Sunday, October 5
Where: Crowne Plaza Aire MSP Airport/Mall of America (Bloomington)
Gaylaxion is “the annual international science-fiction, fantasy, gaming, and comics convention for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people and their friends!” The convention offers panels, a dealers’ room and art show, films, gaming, and more. This year’s Guests of Honor include Nghi Vo, KD Edwards, Emma Törzs, Jim Johnson, and Greg Ketter.
St. Paul Scary Movies Series: Hocus Pocus
What: Movies, Community
When: Friday, October 3, at dusk
Where: Como Midway Pavilion
Enjoy a free night of community and movie magic under the stars! Screening this week is Hocus Pocus, a fantasy comedy revolving around three witches are inadvertently summoned on Halloween night. Costumes encouraged! The film starts at dusk, but arrive early to grab a spot and some treats from the Sweet Dairy food truck. The event is weather dependent, so be sure to check the event listing for any updates.
Scream It Off Screen
What: Movies
When: Friday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: The Parkway Theater
Scream It Off Screen is a short-film contest with an audience interaction element! Come together with other film nerds in one of the Twin Cities greatest revival theaters. Audiences will cry out “Gong!” or “Let it play!” in order to determine which films will be shown in full. Tickets are $13 in advance or $19 at the door.
Star Party—International Observe the Moon Night
What: Science & Tech
When: Friday, October 3, at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Bell Museum
A Star Party is a celebration of astronomical objects that includes demonstrations, hands-on activities, and free planetarium shows. If the skies are clear, high-powered telescopes will be available to view celestial objects as well. This party’s theme is the Moon, including geology, history of exploration, and what is yet to come. Registration is recommended.
Dance the Night Away
What: Nightlife
When: Friday, October 3, after 9:00 p.m.
Where: Various locations
If dancing is your thing, there are three unique options for Friday night. Follow the links below for specific details of each event.
Minneapolis Anime Rave at Lush Lounge and Theater, tickets $31.20
Enchanted Forest at RaptureMN, tickets $15
Feral Dance: Gothic Gala at Uptown VFW, tickets $15 at the door
Viking Fest
What: Community, Family, Educational
When: Weekends, October 4–5 and October 11–12
Where: Dakota County Fairgrounds (Farmington)
Celebrate Viking heritage and Norse mythology over two weekends in October. 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 $28.52 for adults and teens; $18.14 for children 5-12 years old. Season passes also available.
First Saturday Science: Soil Science
What: Educational, Science & Technology, Family
When: Saturday, October 4, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Metro State University
First Saturday Science, a monthly program at Metro State, seeks to improve accessibility to science with open programs that can lead folks towards scientific careers, or just greater curiosity. This month, learn about the science of soil, including building soil layers, hunting for microbes and testing pH. No RSVP required, though young people under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Check out the event page for more details, as well as future topics and science resources that can be used at home.
First Free Saturday at Walker Art Center
What: Arts
When: Saturday, October 4, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Walker Art Center
Enjoy the Walker Art Center’s current exhibitions, check out a film from the museum’s collection, or participate in family-friendly creative activities. Free tickets can be reserved in advance.
ToshoCon 2025
What: Convention
When: Saturday, October 4, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Arlington Hills Library
The St. Paul Public Library is hosting this one-day anime convention celebrating Asian pop culture and fandoms of all kinds! Snacks, crafts, games, and even live performances. Free.
Busy Beavers and Outgoing Otters Hike
What: Educational, Sports & Fitness
When: Saturday, October 4, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fort Snelling State Park
Walk through the floodplain habitat of beavers and otters while learning about their unique adaptations. Hike will be 1–1.5 miles and trails may be muddy. No registration required.
Turtle Bash
What: Educational, Family
When: Saturday, October 4, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Luce Line Brewing (Plymouth)
Join TurtlTracker for all things turtle! This fundraising event includes a range of activities, from live turtle encounters to fun hands-on activities. Fees for activities range from $5–10 each and the money raised helps support TurtlTracker’s app development to better support turtle conservation. “We’re turtle-y excited to see you there!”
Midnight Mayhem: Good Boy
What: Movies
When: Saturday, October 4, at 10:00 p.m.
Where: The Main Cinema
The Midnight Mayhem series returns with a screening of Good Boy, about a loyal dog who must fight supernatural forces to protect his family. Expect special surprises and giveaways with host Chaz Kangas throughout this fun community-film night. Tickets are $13. (this is a rated PG-13 flick, but not be a kid-friendly film, BYMMV)
Selena & Jenni Rivera Drag Brunch
What: Theater & Comedy
When: Sunday, October 5, 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 will feature the music of Selena and Jenni Rivera. Costumes and singing along are highly encouraged. Tickets are $20.28, and attendees must purchase the entrée during the event.
Shieldmaiden Sunday
What: Gaming, Meetup
When: Sunday, October 5, 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!
HORA: Romanian Dark Legends—Monsters, Vampires, and the Undead
What: Educational
When: Sunday, October 5, at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Landmark Center
Every Sunday in October, join the Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans for presentations about Romanian folklore and myth. Learn how Romanian tales have influenced modern horror and vampire lore in sessions that blend historical context, storytelling and cultural insights. Free.
Virtual Events
Virtual Pub Quiz Trivia Night
What: Trivia
When: Monday, September 29, 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!
Smithsonian Associates Streaming Series—How Things Are Made: The Hidden World of Manufacturing
What: Educational, Science & Technology
When: Tuesday, September 30, 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, learn about how the everyday things in our life are manufactured, the global system supporting manufacturing, and ways we can reduce the impact on the environment. Presented by Tim Minshall, professor of innovation and author of How Things Are Made: A Journey Through the Hidden World of Manufacturing. General-admission tickets are $25, and a discount is available for members. Check out the streaming-series webpage; many other upcoming events this week.
Twin Cities Geek Art Club
What: Arts
When: Wednesday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord
The Twin Cities Geek art club meets every Wednesday from 7:00 to 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.
Weird & Wonderful Wednesday Watchalongs
What: Movies
When: Wednesday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Discord
Enjoy a free screening of an obscure film with Miss Emmy Martian and other cinephiles on Discord every Wednesday night.
Writer’s Roulette
What: Meetup
When: Thursday, October 2, at 8:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
Stretch those creative-writing muscles at Writer’s Roulette! Each event starts with a writing prompt and 20 minutes to write whatever comes to mind in any genre or style. Then participants are given the option to share their work. “Whether you’re looking for inspiration, practice, or just a creative jolt, Writer’s Roulette is your chance to see where the words take you.” Tickets are $7.
Writing Dynamic Comics for Kids
What: Books, Arts
When: Thursday, October 2, at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
Join local author Crown Shepherd to learn about writing comics that capture children’s imaginations. Covering pacing, tone, narratives, and learning the tools to really connect with young readers. Registration required.
First Friday—Third Thursday QuickRead
What: Books
When: Friday, October 3, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Virtual via Zoom
If you are always looking for a new science-fiction, fantasy, or horror read, check out this literary speed-dating event featuring several authors who each get eight minutes to pique your interest. Q&A at the end of the event. Free, but tips accepted.
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!
0 Comments