The Twin Cities are offering plenty of ways to make the most of the weekend, from exploring local art studios and discovering a new video store to dressing up for a zombie-themed pub crawl. Minneapolis and Saint Paul also have options for comedy fans, antique shoppers and families looking for a lively daytime activity. Whether you prefer hunting for vintage treasures, meeting local artists or dancing to kid-friendly electronic music, these six events offer something different to explore from October 16 through 18.
The Saint Paul Art Crawl Opens Its Doors to Hundreds of Local Artists
Art lovers have an excellent reason to spend the weekend exploring Saint Paul, as the Fall Saint Paul Art Crawl returns from October 16 through 18. The event brings together hundreds of local artists who open their galleries, shared workspaces and studio lofts to visitors. This year’s crawl features more than 30 venues spread across Saint Paul’s neighborhoods, giving people plenty of opportunities to discover different styles of art and meet the people who create it. The best part is that admission is free, making it an appealing option for families, curious newcomers and longtime art enthusiasts alike.
Visitors can explore a wide range of creative work while discovering some of the city’s distinctive buildings and cultural spaces. The enormous Schmidt Artist Lofts is one of the featured destinations, where guests can encounter artists and even have a zombie portrait drawn on the spot. Other activities and attractions across the crawl include secondhand and upcycled shopping at places such as The Mustache Cat and Nine Lives Thrift. Because participating venues set their own schedules, opening hours vary throughout the weekend. Visitors should check individual locations before setting out and allow time to explore more than one neighborhood.
Saturn Video Brings Back the Joy of Browsing Physical Movies
For anyone who misses the experience of walking through a video store and choosing a movie from the shelves, Saturn Video offers a welcome change from scrolling through streaming platforms. The Minneapolis business is opening a permanent storefront after spending several years operating pop-ups at markets and theaters. Its arrival is particularly notable because the Twin Cities has lacked a permanent video rental storefront since Video Universe in Robbinsdale closed in 2023. Saturn Video aims to restore the pleasure of browsing physical media while introducing new generations of movie fans to DVDs, Blu-rays and VHS tapes.
The store’s collection includes mainstream studio releases alongside harder-to-find titles, with a particular focus on films by women, LGBTQ+ creators and BIPOC filmmakers. That combination makes it more than a nostalgic throwback. It also gives movie lovers an opportunity to discover work that might be difficult to find through mainstream streaming services. Saturn Video is scheduled to hold a free sidewalk sale on Saturday, October 17, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. A separate, ticketed grand-opening party is planned for Sunday evening, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., with sliding-scale admission. Visitors should check the store’s latest announcements for party access and other details before attending.
The Zombie Pub Crawl Turns Northeast Minneapolis Into a Halloween Party
Halloween season brings plenty of opportunities to dress up, but few outings are as distinctive as the Minneapolis Zombie Pub Crawl. Scheduled for Saturday, October 17, the event invites participants to embrace the undead theme while visiting participating bars in Northeast Minneapolis. The crawl runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes nine participating bars, giving attendees several stops to explore throughout the evening. It is an adult-oriented nightlife event, so it is best suited to people looking for a costume party and a social evening rather than a family Halloween activity.
General admission starts at $20 in advance, with tickets costing $30 at the door. The ticket includes access to the participating bars without individual cover charges, along with drink specials and the event’s afterparty at NE Moose Bar & Grill. A party bus also runs between five of the bars from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Participants should check in at NE Moose between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to exchange their tickets for event credentials. Since costumes are part of the experience, attendees can lean into the zombie theme or get creative with their Halloween outfits. Checking the official event details ahead of time is advisable, particularly for anyone planning to purchase tickets at the door.
Funny Bachelors Gives Blind Dating a Comedic Twist
Dating can be awkward enough without an audience watching, but Funny Bachelors turns that discomfort into the central attraction of a live comedy event. Taking place on Friday, October 16, the show puts participants on blind dates in front of an audience while local comedians provide commentary, jokes and playful interruptions. Rather than following the usual format of a comedy performance, the event combines real-time dating conversations with the unpredictable humor of live entertainment. The result is an unusual evening for people who enjoy comedy, dating stories and the occasional moment of secondhand embarrassment.
Those interested in participating do not necessarily have to remain in the audience. According to the weekend announcement, people can enter the potential dating pool in advance or sign up at the door, subject to the event’s arrangements. The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, and tickets are listed at $25.27. It could appeal to singles looking for a different kind of social experience, as well as comedy fans who enjoy performances that unfold without a completely predictable script. Anyone planning to attend should confirm the venue and participation requirements before leaving home, particularly if they hope to take part in one of the blind dates.
A Gathering of Friends Antiques Market Offers a Weekend of Vintage Finds
Not every worthwhile weekend outing needs to involve a performance or a crowded festival. A Gathering of Friends Antiques Market gives shoppers a more leisurely way to spend time hunting for vintage treasures, antiques and distinctive decorative pieces. The biannual market takes place inside the greenhouse at Bachman’s on Lyndale in Minneapolis, creating a setting that differs from a conventional indoor shopping event. Its Thursday-through-Sunday schedule also makes it easier for visitors to fit in a shopping trip around other weekend plans, whether they are searching for something specific or simply browsing for inspiration.
The market is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, October 15 to 17, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 18. Admission is free, so visitors can explore without paying an entrance fee. Antique markets can be particularly appealing to people who prefer furnishings, decorative objects and collectibles with a little history behind them. Individual sellers determine the items available and their prices, so shoppers should not expect every stall to offer the same type of merchandise. Anyone hoping to find a particular piece may want to arrive early enough to browse carefully and compare the available options before making a purchase.
