Here’s a closer look at 10 of the biggest Halloween-themed shows around the Twin Cities, plus a guide to more than a dozen other parties and shows celebrating the spooky season.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Haunted Palmers Patio featuring Monica LaPlante as Madonica, Products as the Talking Heads, DIIE as the Cure, the Silent Treatment, Cowboy Thoughts and Count Spookula: 6 p.m. at Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis 

It’s a tribute band spooktacular on the patio at Palmer’s, as Monica LaPlante and her talented band bring the music of Madonna to vibrant life. Products will burn down the house covering the Talking Heads, and DIIE are taking on “DIIEsintgration” by The Cure. The fun doesn’t stop there, as the music moves inside with old school punk jams by the Silent Treatment and country classics by Cowboy Thoughts. 

Transmission Presents: “A Stranger Halloween”: 9 p.m. at Uptown VFW, Minneapolis 

The Uptown VFW will be turned into the Upside Down with Transmission’s set of music and videos featuring songs that celebrate the twisted world of Stranger Things. A photographer will be on hand capturing the stylish attire of costumed guests, while the four-plus-hour dance party will get everyone turned up to Eleven.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 26-27

jeremy messersmith presents All Hallows’ Eve: 8 p.m. on Saturday; 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. on Sunday; at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis 

Halloween is jeremy messersmith’s favorite time of the year, and his third annual All Hallows’ Eve variety show will once again focus on music with a haunted edge to it. The series of three shows at the Parkway will all feature special guests, a custom-themed cocktail, and plenty of eerie songs delivered with messersmith’s spooky style.

Tuesday, Oct. 29

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) // Live-scored by Chris Strouth & Paris 1919: 7:30 p.m. at Parkway Theater, Minneapolis 

A rare live screening of Rupert Julian’s 1925 silent horror film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera will be soundtracked by an ominous live score created for the occasion by local composer Chris Strouth and his distinguished ambient band. Having a chance to see this terrifying classic film is enough to make for a unique Halloween experience, add in the sinister musical accompaniment and you have a can’t-miss spooky season event.

Thursday, Oct. 31

Halloween Party featuring Mary Jam, Surly Grrly, TOMBOYY, and Selfish Teammate: 7 p.m. at Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis  

The loudest Halloween party in the Twin Cities is definitely going down at Palmer’s. The blistering guitar squall of Mary Jam mixes punk fury with Dick Dale-like surf rock and grunge-fueled angst. Surly Grrly will rage against the patriarchy, while TOMBOYY blends garage rock with self-described “doom cuntry,” and Selfish Teammate gets the night started with waves of distortion.

A Nightmare on 7th St. featuring Gramma, She’s Green, Why Not, Psylo, and Berzica: 7:30 p.m. at 7th St. Entry, Minneapolis 

This all-local bill is Twin Cities music lover’s dream disguised as a Nightmare for Halloween. Minneapolis trio Gramma makes noise rock sound relentlessly catchy, shoegazing dream-pop quintet She’s Green were the top vote getters in The Current’s Minnesota Music Month Scouting Report, while Why Not, Psylo, and Berzica all have monster riffs built for wild nights just like this. 

Love Is the Law 40th Anniversary Celebration & Halloween Costume Party: The Suburbs & The Scarlet Goodbye: 7:30 p.m. at The Cabooze, Minneapolis 

Twin Cities music legends the Suburbs are celebrating Halloween by paying tribute to the 40th anniversary of their New Wave classic, Love Is the Law. The raw sentiments at the heart of that record are as vital today as they were back in 1984. Openers the Scarlet Goodbye is the brainchild of Minneapolis music scene mainstay Jeff Arundel and Soul Asylum/Golden Smog’s Dan Murphy.

First Avenue’s Annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest: 8 p.m. at First Avenue, Minneapolis 

First Ave’s yearly Halloween party always brings out the best-dressed holiday revelers sporting the most stylish, trendiest costumes. Lizzo collaborator Sophia Eris leads an impressive lineup of local DJs who will turn things up in the Mainroom, while photographer Darin Kamnetz will be on hand to artfully capture everyone’s imaginative looks, with cash prizes given out for the best costumes.

Durry Halloween Spooktacular: 8:30 p.m. at Fine Line, Minneapolis 

Local alt-pop duo Durry turned their viral sensation hit single, “Who’s Laughing Now,” into a flourishing music career. The group will capitalize on their newfound notoriety by hosting their very own Halloween Spooktacular at the Fine Line, where they will be joined by Minneapolis “prairie-rock” quintet Keep for Cheap, who just released their rollicking sophomore album, Big Grass, back in September.

OPEN DOOR SERIES: Halloween Night w/ Ice Climber, A Sunken Ship Irony, John Don’t and The Morticians, & DJ Demonica: 7 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis (FREE) 

Hook and Ladder’s Open Door music series are free events “for everyone,” and their Halloween festivities offers up a trio of Twin Cities acts featuring the acid-punk of Ice Climber, the lo-fi indie folk of A Sunken Ship Irony, and the garage rock stylings of John Don’t and the Morticians. The event will feature haunting visuals to add to the spooky vibes, while DJ Demonica will provide an ominous mix to match the fright night mood.

Even more Halloween events: 

Thursday, Oct. 24

• It’s A 2000s Party - Halloween Edition: 9 p.m. at Fine Line, Minneapolis 

Friday, Oct. 25

• Skalloween with Space Monkey Mafia: 7:30 p.m. at Turf Club, St. Paul 

• Ragefuture Halloween 2024 featuring Solana & Sunsets, Hella Reptilian, Los Pinches Gueys, Black Wine, and more: 8 p.m. at Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis 

• Bollywood Party (Halloween): 9 p.m. at Green Room, Minneapolis 

Saturday, Oct. 26

• JUNGLEWEEN - 'a funky Halloween' with Reed Grimm, Purple Funk Metropolis, Sophia Cruz: 8 p.m. at Green Room, Minneapolis 

• Flip Phone XXL — Halloween Dance and Drag Party starring Roxxxy Andrews and Angeria Paris VanMicheals: 9 p.m. at First Avenue, Minneapolis 

• GRRRL SCOUT: Casual Hex Halloween Party: 9 p.m. at Hook and Ladder, Minneapolis 

• HOUSE OF MAYHEM: FRIGHT NIGHT: 9 p.m. at The Legacy Building, Minneapolis

• UNBOTHERED HALLOWEEN: 11 p.m. at The Artery, Minneapolis

Sunday, Oct. 27

• Harp Twins: Rockin’ Halloween Concert: 7 p.m. at Uptown VFW, Minneapolis 

• RAGEFUTURE- A Mortimer's Halloween: 8 p.m. at Mortimer’s, Minneapolis 

Tuesday, Oct. 29

• Cause For Concern “Halloween Show” with Solid Air, Stone Ark, and Eastern River Cooters: 8 p.m. at Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis 

Wednesday, Oct. 30

• Halloween Eve Tribute Party featuring 2 Minutes to Maiden, Forgotten Boys, and Cretin Ave Hop: 7 p.m. at Palmer’s Bar, Minneapolis 

Thursday, Oct. 31

• Halloween 2024: Night Moves with Material and a karaoke afterparty: 8 p.m. at Zhora Darling, Minneapolis

  

• Hip-Hop Halloween: 6 p.m. at The Garage, Burnsville, Minn. 

• Monstrous Melodies Cabaret: 7 p.m. at Dakota, Minneapolis 

• Ghostchella: 8:30 p.m. at Icehouse, Minneapolis 

• Gothess Halloween KILLER PARTY with special guest Die Sexual: 9 p.m. at Turf Club, St. Paul  

• Crimes Against Ravers on Halloween Night at the Uptown VFW: SOUPKA I KETAWHIPS I METAL GEAR ERIC I DJ CAMARILLA I STAIN: 10 p.m. at Uptown VFW, Minneapolis 

Friday, Nov. 1

• GooseBump ‘N’ Grind 90s Halloween Party: 9 p.m. at Uptown VFW, Minneapolis 

• Halloween with SKREAM: Open To Close: 9 p.m. at Green Room, Minneapolis 

• InMotion: Halloween: 10 p.m. at Icehouse, Minneapolis