Explore Brainerd Lakes

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Explore Brainerd Lakes Explore the best of the Brainerd Lakes Area 🌲🍁
Find things to do, local events, resorts, dining, trails, and year-round adventures in central Minnesota.

Page managed by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce

🎃 Two weeks until Halloween, and things are looking festive in Crosslake!The Cross Lake Dam is glowing for the season, c...
10/17/2026

🎃 Two weeks until Halloween, and things are looking festive in Crosslake!

The Cross Lake Dam is glowing for the season, complete with a larger-than-life pumpkin and one incredible fall sunset. 🍂✨

Find Halloween events & activities all month long at explorebrainerdlakes.com/halloween-events-brainerd-mn/

Who says Halloween is all tricks and treats?! 🎃🎨From spooky painting to hands-on crafts and Halloween-inspired fun, crea...
10/17/2026

Who says Halloween is all tricks and treats?! 🎃🎨

From spooky painting to hands-on crafts and Halloween-inspired fun, creativity is brewing in the Brainerd Lakes Area! 👻🖌️

Grab your friends and make something BOO-tiful! 🕸️

🦇 Check out our lineup of spooky arts & crafts events and join the fun!
https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/halloween-events-brainerd-mn/

10/16/2026

🎃 BOO! 👻

The Haunted Trail is in full effect over at the Northland Arboretum! Be sure to get your tickets so you don't miss out on this spook-tacular event! 😱

Not the high-scare seeking type? The Arboretum has 3 different trails, ranging in thrill levels, so there's something for everyone! 💀

Looking for fun events this October? Check out our blog for more info! https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/halloween-events-brainerd-mn/

Looking for some last minute MEA plans? Join us at Breezy Point Resort for the Northwoods Fall Festival! 🎃🍂🍎Enjoy the la...
10/16/2026

Looking for some last minute MEA plans? Join us at Breezy Point Resort for the Northwoods Fall Festival! 🎃🍂🍎

Enjoy the last bit of fall colors, free hay-rides, live music, face painting, and SO much more! The perfect weekend of fall fun to squeeze in before the temperatures drop!

For more fall festivals and fun activities, check out our website, for up to date events happening the Brainerd Lakes Area! 🍻🍁👻

MEA WEEKEND EVENTS!🍁 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 🍁➜ Hiking Club | Northland Arboretum, 9:30AM-10:30AM➜ Meat Raffle | The North ...
10/15/2026

MEA WEEKEND EVENTS!

🍁 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 🍁
➜ Hiking Club | Northland Arboretum, 9:30AM-10:30AM
➜ Meat Raffle | The North Star, 6PM-7PM
➜ Meat Raffle | Lucky's Tavern, 6PM-8PM
➜ Meat Raffle | Quarterdeck, 6PM-9PM
➜ Live Music: AJ Spoff | Quarterdeck, 6PM-9PM
➜ Northland Arboretum's Haunted Trail | Northland Arboretum, 7PM-9PM
➜ Swan Lake: World Ballet Company | 7PM-9PM

🎃 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 🎃
➜ Crosslake Oktoberfest | Crosslake, Oct. 16-17
➜ Northwoods Fall Festival | Breezy Point Resort, Oct. 16-18
➜ Northland Arboretum's Haunted Trail | Northland Arboretum, 7PM-9PM
➜ Haunted Hidden Hollows | Paul Bunyan Land, 7PM-11PM
➜ Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | 7PM-9PM
➜ Movie in the Park: Hocus Pocus | 7:30PM-9:30PM
➜ Ruttger's Oktoberfest | Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort, 12PM-9:30PM (Oct. 16-17)
➜ Family Pizza Cruise | 12PM-2PM
➜ Whistling Werewolf Haunted Mini Golf | Whistling Wolf Mini Golf, 5PM-9PM
➜ Live Music: Mike Bustin | Quarterdeck, 5PM-8PM
➜ Live Music: Mike Derus | UpNorth Social, 5PM-7PM
➜ Live Country Music: Alan Godage & Sundown | 7PM-10PM
➜ Dance & Yoga Class | Sacred Circle Wellness L.L.C., 7PM-10PM
➜ Meat Raffle | Brainerd American Legion, 5:30PM

🍂 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 🍂
➜ Crosslake Oktoberfest | Crosslake
➜ Northwoods Fall Festival | Breezy Point Resort
➜ Ruttger's Oktoberfest | Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort
➜ Axetoberfest | Big Axe Brewing Company, 11AM-9PM
➜ Chilly Challenge Golf Event | Madden's Pine Beach West, 9AM-5PM
➜ Family Day at Paul Bunyan Land | Paul Bunyan Land, 12PM-4PM
➜ Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos | Gather on 3 Event Center, 4:30PM-7:30PM
➜ Live Music: Zach Thomas | Quarterdeck, 2PM-5PM
➜ Whistling Werewolf Haunted Mini Golf | Whistling Wolf Mini Golf, 5PM-9PM
➜ Live Music: The Brothers Tone Band | Quarterdeck, 6PM-9PM
➜ Oktoberfest Dinner Cruise | 6PM-10PM
➜ Northland Arboretum's Haunted Trail | Northland Arboretum, 7PM-9PM
➜ Haunted Hidden Hollows | Paul Bunyan Land, 7PM-11PM
➜ Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | 7PM-9PM

🍁 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 🍁
➜ Northwoods Fall Festival | Breezy Point Resort (final day)
➜ Brunch on the Lake Cruise | 11:30AM-1:30PM
➜ Meat Raffle | 14 Lakes Pub & Brewery, 2PM-3:30PM
➜ Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | 2PM-4PM
➜ Live Country Music: Muddy Water | Pequot Lakes American Legion, 4PM-7PM

School's out. Fall fun is ON! 🍂 Oktoberfest celebrations, haunted trails, pumpkin activities, live music, family festivals + plenty more happening around the BLA this MEA Weekend!

📍 Find your weekend plans here: https://business.explorebrainerdlakes.com/events

Who says Halloween fun is just for the kids?! 👻🍻Spooky season has a grown-up side, and the Brainerd Lakes Area knows how...
10/15/2026

Who says Halloween fun is just for the kids?! 👻🍻

Spooky season has a grown-up side, and the Brainerd Lakes Area knows how to celebrate! 🎃

From Halloween-themed bingo and local brews to spooky nights out, there's plenty of fun worth calling the babysitter for! 🍹🕸️

So grab your friends, leave the kids at home, and get ready for a little adults-only Halloween fun!

🦇 Check out our lineup of Halloween happenings and start planning your next night out! Full article here: explorebrainerdlakes.com/halloween

Fall Colors are at their peak right now in the Brainerd Lakes Area! 🍂 We're still not over how beautiful it was this wee...
10/15/2026

Fall Colors are at their peak right now in the Brainerd Lakes Area! 🍂

We're still not over how beautiful it was this weekend in the BLA! Now's the time to hit the trails, take in the views, and soak up every last bit of autumn before Minnesota decides it's winter. 🚲🍁

Need some ideas of where to hike? 🥾

Check out our website for specific trail recommendations! https://business.explorebrainerdlakes.com/list/Search/recreation-sports-302564?cid=302432

🩰✨ A world-class ballet performance is taking center stage in Brainerd!The World Ballet Company is bringing the iconic S...
10/13/2026

🩰✨ A world-class ballet performance is taking center stage in Brainerd!

The World Ballet Company is bringing the iconic Swan Lake to the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts for ONE unforgettable night! 🦢

Featuring 50 talented dancers, stunning hand-painted sets, and Tchaikovsky’s legendary score, this breathtaking production brings a timeless story of love, betrayal, and transformation to life!

📅 Thursday, October 15 | 7:00 PM
📍 Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts | Brainerd, MN

Whether you're a ballet enthusiast or a first-time theatergoer, this is a performance you won't want to miss!

🎟️ Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Swan Lake right here in the Brainerd Lakes Area!

📸 Photos Courtesy of World Ballet Company

Get tickets - https://worldballetcompany.com/event/gichi-ziibi-center-for-the-arts-4/

🍁 Oktoberfest is THIS WEEKEND at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort!Celebrate fall Up North with a longtime lakes area tradition!...
10/13/2026

🍁 Oktoberfest is THIS WEEKEND at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort!

Celebrate fall Up North with a longtime lakes area tradition! 🍂🍻 Enjoy German food, live entertainment, festive fall fun and the 40th Annual Oktoberfest Arts & Crafts Show.

📍 Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort | Deerwood, MN
📅 October 16–18, 2026
🛍️ Oktoberfest festivities & Arts and Crafts Show | October 16–17

Grab your friends, enjoy the fall colors and make a weekend of it in the Brainerd Lakes Area!

Learn more and find Oktoberfest celebrations: https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/fall-events-2026/

Your Halloween plans just got a whole lot sweeter! 🍬👻Grab your candy buckets, round up your little monsters, and get rea...
10/13/2026

Your Halloween plans just got a whole lot sweeter! 🍬👻

Grab your candy buckets, round up your little monsters, and get ready for a Halloween haul! 🍫🍭

The Brainerd Lakes Area is serving up plenty of treats this Halloween season! From family-friendly festivities to candy-filled adventures, there are plenty of ways to get in on the fun.

So grab your little ghosts and goblins, put those costumes to work, and get ready for some serious candy collecting! 🕸️🎃

🍬 Ready, set, TRICK OR TREAT!

🔗 Find your next Halloween adventure: ExploreBrainerdLakes.com/Halloween

Address

7393 State Highway 371
Brainerd, MN
56401

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+12188292838

Website

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