As the crisp air and vibrant colors of autumn envelop the Willmar Lakes Area, October brings with it a plethora of events that promise fun, excitement, and community spirit. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this beautiful month. Here’s a rundown of some must-attend events in the Willmar Lakes Area this October:

October 4 – Oktoberfest at Cheers
Come celebrate Oktoberfest at Cheers in Raymond! Enjoy a night of live music by IV Play and tasty Schell’s Oktoberfest beer! Whoever blows the keg, gets the boot (literally…a free glass boot)!

October 5 – Forest & Field Trail Run Lap Race
Join the fun at the new trail run lap race event, hosted at the beautiful Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in Spicer, Minnesota! Winding over the hills and through the woods, this race challenge will be as exhilarating as it is rewarding. You’ll have 45 minutes to conquer as many 1.75-mile loops of our scenic trail as you can. Whether you’re a seasoned trail runner or new to the sport, this race is all about embracing the challenge and enjoying the thrill of pushing your boundaries to find your rugged self! Sign up today!

October 5 – A German Themed Tea at the Sperry House
We invite you to join us at the Sperry House for an Octoberfest themed tea! There are two settings for the tea, one at 11am and one at 1pm. Reservations are required so book your spot today!

October 5 – The Looney Lutherans
Don’t miss out on this hilarious Looney Lutherans show on October 5th. Proceeds will go to the MacPac Program of the MACCRAY Public Schools! You don’t need to be Lutheran to enjoy this show!

October 5-6 – Grandpa’s Granary Fall Festival
Join the fun at Grandpa’s Granary Fall Festival! There will be a hay ride, mini maze, corn pit, bounce house, and more! They will have brisket, cheese burgers, lamb burgers and hotdog meals for purchase. The Grandpa’s Granary meat wagon will be open and there will be some baked goods as well as possibly some other vendors with products.

October 5-6 – 4th Annual Atwater Oktoberfest
Don’t miss Atwater’s Oktoberfest event filled with events for the whole family! Activities include a Kids Color Fun Run/Walk, a Kickball Tournament, Teen Laser Tag, Hayrides, Car Show, Craft Vendors, Stein Holding Competition, Lots of Delicious Food and a Street Dance!

October 6 – Kaleidoscope Quartet
Kaleidoscope Quartet brings their greatest hits to their debut performance in Willmar. Come to The Barn Theatre and enjoy a family-friendly show of diverse tunes from North American folk traditions, indie singer-songwriters, and the far sides of Europe, all marked by the joy, range, and soul of high-caliber male a cappella!

October 12 – Promise 5K Bensky’s Race
The Promise 5K is an annual event held in effort to raise funds and awareness for the work of Children of the Promise in Northern Haiti. This year, the 6th Annual Promise 5K will be held at Robbins Island Park in Willmar. In addition to the great outdoors, enjoy a slice of pie at the Pie-K, stick around for prize drawings, and browse Haitian-made artwork. It will be a fun day for all!

October 15 – Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra
Bring the whole family to “Wings and Wilderness” concert at the WEAC Auditorium. Come early and explore bird and tree themed activities. And make sure you sign up for the amazing door prizes that you could win! We hope to see you there for a fun afternoon of music!

October 17 – Michael Shynes and Chris Kroeze Concert
Join Platinum Recording Artist Michael Shynes and ‘The Voice’ Season 15 Runner Up Chris Kroeze for a night of songs & laughs at Little Crow Event Center! Click the event name for ticket information.

October 18 – Laugh It Off – Comedy Dinner Show Fundraiser
Don’t miss out on this fun, casual, laughter filled event featuring comedian Ken Davis! Hosted by Holly Jacobson, you’re sure to enjoy this hilarious night that includes a buffet style pasta dinner. Get your tickets today!

October 19 – Spicer Autumn Market
The Minnesota Craft Collective presents the Spicer Autumn Market at Little Crow Resort and Conference! A room filled with artisans, crafters and small businesses will be in attendance showing off their products. Free admission and great food & drink available from Max’s on The Green.

October 19 – Halloween Doggy’s Day Out!
Come bring your fury friend out for a Halloween themed party at the Community Center! We will burn off some steam in our obstacle course, test out some easy to make games, and mingle with other pups! After a good play time, we’ll have a snack break to enjoy a tasty treat, while the humans create a memorable craft, & end our outing with a relaxing puppy massage with K9-Oasis! There will be a costume contest and other Halloween Themed activities!

October 19-20 – Kandi Acres Halloween Bash
Help support for our local Veterans resource center while celebrating the spooky season and coming together as a community with local crafters, vendors and town businesses. We are excited to bring in more themed based food this year, including cotton candy, hand made burgers, hot dogs and corndogs, pizza, fries, Caramel apples, and don’t leave without the popcorn! Enjoy an afternoon filled with a haunted house, bounce houses, games, petting farm animals, pumpkin smashing, silent auction and more!

October 25 – Great Annual Halloween Haunt
Come out to Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center dressed in your favorite Halloween costume and talk with the creatures of the enchanted trail, play games, decorate a cookie, and climb the indoor wall!

October 26 – Freedom Ridge Spooktacular
Join in on the family fun taking place at Freedom Ridge October 26! This free event includes hay rides, bonfire, activities for the kids, fire truck, concessions on site and a trunk or treat event!

October 26 – Little Zombies & Zombies Night Out
Join us for a spooktacular kids Halloween event at Intuition Brewing from 2-4pm. They’ll have face painting, pumpkin painting, Halloween charades, temporary kid’s tattoos, and special Halloween beverages for the little ones. Costumes are highly encouraged! And for the adults, you can expect lots of zombies, live music, a haunted brewery, a food truck, beer poking on the patio and much more!

October 26 – Hayloft Players Children’s Theatre Presents Transyl-mania
Cue the lightning! Cue the thunder! It’s monster mayhem in this frightfully fun comedy! Transylvania High School is where the kids of all the classic monster movie villains go to learn the tricks of the trade. There are vampires, mummies, werewolves, zombies, witches, Frankenstein’s daughter, the Invisible Man’s son, and even the Phantom of the Opera’s kid, all of them struggling to live up to their parents’ legendary examples. From science fair projects to cliques, these monsters struggle with the same stresses as typical teenagers. When a group of human high school students stumbles upon the monster school thanks to a broken down bus, utter mayhem ensues. Far more silly than spooky, this comedy delivers both loads of laughs and a gentle message about befriending those who are different from us. Don’t miss this adorable production with a cast of children grades 1-9!

October 26 – Lutefisk & Meatball Dinner
Tis’ the season to eat Lutefisk & Meatballs and embrace your Scandinavian Heritage or experience a tradition that is decades old. Faith Lutheran Church of Spicer hosts the first Lutefisk Dinner of the season in the area! Get your tickets ahead of time for a discounted price.

October 26 – Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos
Come join us for a night of music and delicious food at the Willmar Conference! These dueling pianos will have you singing along to your favorite tunes all night long. Enjoy a scrumptious 2 course dinner of a ceaser salad and fresh baked bread. Stuffed chicken breast, garlic mashed potaotes, and roasted vegetables all while tapping your feet to the beat. Get your tickets today!

October 26 – Cat PAC Presents “The Wonder Bread Years”
A fresh and funny salute to Americana, “The Wonder Bread Years” starring Pat Hazell (former Seinfeld writer) is a fast-paced, hilarious production that gracefully walks the line between standup and theater. From sitting at the kids table to riding in the way back of the station wagon, “The Wonder Bread Years” is a comic bullseye for Baby Boomers everywhere. Purchase your tickets before this one sells out!

October 31 – Spooky Dungeon at the Pennock Community Center
Check out this haunted basement if you dare! Whether you’re brave enough to explore the Spooky Dungeon or not, stop by for cookies and cider!

October 31-Nov. 3 – Holmstrom Haunt Presents Collection of Nightmares
Holmstrom Haunt Presents Collection of Nightmares, The Final Curtain! This will be showing off a 13 year collection of haunted Halloweens. All are welcome, but 12 years old and older are recommended for regular haunt nights! There will be a special family day for the younger crowd on Sunday, November 3rd from 12-3pm.

And continuing throughout the month of October are karaoke nights at area bars, trivia nights at area breweries, live music at a variety of restaurants/bars, Kandi Land Farm and Willmar WarHawk Home Games! More events will be added to our community calendar throughout the month. So for the most udpated listing of events, please see our Events Calendar.