Anoka, MN
In 1920, a small Minnesota town got tired of Halloween pranks. Kids were soaping windows, hauling wagons onto roofs, letting cattle loose, and tipping over small buildings, occupied or not. So the town’s civic leaders tried something new: a giant celebration with an evening parade of thousands of costumed kids down Main Street, followed by popcorn, candy, and peanuts for everyone, and a bonfire to finish the night. It worked. Anoka became the first U.S. city to throw an organized Halloween celebration, and it has held one every year since, except 1942 and 1943 during World War II. This year is the 106th. Bring costumes, a camp chair, and the kids. Nobody needs to get scared.
3-Day Itinerary
Friday — The kids’ parade
Catch the Big Parade of Little People. Local elementary students march down historic Main Street, 1:15–2:15 PM, in Anoka Halloween’s oldest tradition, with marching bands and costumes. It’s free, it’s sweet, and it’s the most small-town thing you’ll see all year.
Stop at the Anoka Halloween Gift Shop on 2nd Ave and buy everyone a Halloween button. Buttons are $3, and they’re how locals show they’re in on it.
Drive the decorated houses after dark. The town’s house decorating contest is open for public viewing on 10/23 and 10/24. Make it a slow cruise with hot chocolate in the cupholders.
Saturday — Grande Day Parade
Claim your spot early. Parade spots on Main Street and 5th Ave fill up fast, and people start claiming them as early as 4 AM. You don’t have to be that family, but go before lunch.
Look up before it starts. Just before the parade, the North American Flight Team’s T-6 Thunder, a vintage military aircraft unit, flies over Main Street.
Then the main event. The Grande Day Parade starts at 1 PM at State Street and West Main and runs 1.5 miles down Main to 5th Avenue. Expect more than 25,000 spectators. Costumes are encouraged, for everyone.
Sunday — Breakfast and the river
Eat like a local. The American Legion on West Main serves an all-you-can-eat post-parade breakfast buffet Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to noon, for $15 per person, with eggs, biscuits and gravy, and country fried steak.
Walk it off at Riverfront Memorial Park along the river, then head home.
Know before you go
Nearly everything is free. Bring cash for the Legion breakfast and buttons.
It’s late October in Minnesota, so pack layers, hats, and gloves for the parade.
Close enough to go tonight? The Light Up the Night Parade is this Saturday, Oct 17, 7–8 PM on Main Street, with lit-up floats and the street lights turned low.
Your Weekend Passport Planner,
- Josh
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