Anoka Celebrates History as the Halloween Capital of the World

The Anoka Halloween Grande Day Parade is one of the largest parades in the Twin Cities and beyond!

This parade will entertain you for hours with more than 150 spectacular and spooky floats, plus costumed creatures parade by! You can reminisce and enjoy all of the fun themes, often tied to movies, TV Shows, and pop culture. Memorable float themes have included everything from The Ghostbusters to The Adams Family, and Grease to classic Disney favorites, and just about everything in between. There is plenty of music and dance performances throughout too. You can even catch a group of costumed dogs from a local animal rescue.

This event is also a great excuse to experience the charm of historic downtown Anoka and its many wonderful and unique locally owned retail shops, bars, and restaurants. I always like to stop at Hans’ Bakery, a historic and family-owned bakery, that makes Texas Donuts as big as your head, and shop some of the unique vintage and antique stores after the parade!

Elementary students get to participate in Anoka Halloween’s oldest tradition, the Big Parade of Little People, as spectators, family and friends watch them parade along in their favorite Halloween costumes. Local school children march through the historic downtown Anoka area. Marching bands and costumes for all to enjoy.

With a full line-up of colorfully lit floats,  the Light Up the Night Parade is always a crowd favorite. It doesn’t get more spooky than experiencing historic downtown Anoka at night under the lights of Halloween-themed floats. It’s also a good excuse to hit up some of the great local bars and restaurants along the parade route for a fun night out!

Stories abound in Anoka of odd happenings and eerie encounters on the Ghosts of Anoka Walking Tour. Anoka County Historical Society’s costumed tour guides will take you on a walk through the historic neighborhoods of Anoka, sharing stories of the past along the way.

Sixty percent history, 40 percent folklore; these stories are just part of the fun you will experience on your Ghosts of Anoka tour!

To experience all of the exciting and spooky events of Anoka Halloween, you’re going to need a few days, so why not plan a fun little Halloween getaway? Pair your historic adventure with a stay at the Ticknor Hill Bed & Breakfast, located in a Queen Anne Victorian home that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy the peacefulness of the porches, the warmth of the fireplaces in the parlor or library, the sunshine streaming in the conservatory, or a game of billiards.

Bringing the whole family? Choose from two family favorite hotels, just minutes from Anoka, at the AmericInn Lodge & Suites of Coon Rapids and Wingate by Wyndham Coon Rapids. For more cozy lodging options check out a full listing of all 25 Twin Cities Gateway’s hotels.