Events in Washington County today

Community members gather for a relaxed coffee hour at Newport Public Library, offering a friendly space to connect and unwind. Coffee, tea, coco, and water are provided, and all are welcome. This get-together is part of Newport Library’s Senior Social Program, which supports seniors in building community, learning, and thriving through coffee hours and crafting sessions, plus special events throughout the year.

Enjoy a relaxed, sensory friendly pumpkin carving party where creativity is encouraged. Pumpkins are provided along with carving tools and decorating supplies, and there is time to play and snacks to enjoy. Cleanup is taken care of so you can focus on creating, and every child leaves with a finished pumpkin. Cost is $20 per child.

Stillwater Rotary presents its annual fundraiser as a murder mystery dinner party with an Old Hollywood theme. The event centers on a classic whodunit experience.

Explore the shadowy side of historic Stillwater on a theatrical trolley experience presented by The Zephyr Theatre and Stillwater Trolleys at River Siren Brewing. Costumed figures and unexpected visitors climb aboard to share true tales from the town’s past as the tour rolls through the streets. Before or after your ride, trolley guests can enjoy special perks at River Siren Brewing, including exclusive pricing on a first drink with $2 off beer or seltzer or $1 off a non-alcoholic option. Waterfront dishes from Río 1854 can be delivered straight to the taproom by golf cart, so arriving early gives time to order and dine before boarding. Bonfires, marshmallow roasting, and ghost storytelling add to the atmosphere, while classic black and white horror movies play in the upstairs lounge. A nightly scavenger hunt includes drawings for River Siren prizes on every tour run. Multiple departures take place each evening, with check-in opening beforehand. Recommended for ages 12 and up.

A special trunk show spotlights Roger Eye Design, presenting frames with a bold, artful sensibility. The event includes tasty snacks and a fashionable atmosphere, along with promotional savings of 50% on select frames and 50% off a second set of lenses, with exclusions applying.

This decorating session prepares Gammelgården for the kid and pet friendly Trick or Treat at Gammelgården. Activities include pumpkin carving and Halloween crafts, sorting candy and dog treats into bowls for volunteers at each historic building, and arranging straw bales and pumpkins outdoors. Sign up is managed through SignUpGenius so museum staff know who will be helping.

Created as a peer-led gathering for women, this circle invites candid conversation, shared wisdom, and practical personal growth. It recognizes how often stress and responsibility accumulate, and offers dedicated time to notice their effects on body and mind. Participants reflect together, question patterns that are not helping, and practice realistic, sustainable self-care strategies. The group learns from one another, offers steady support, and strengthens resilience. The goal is not to fix anyone. It is to show up, grow stronger, and do it in community. Facilitated by Amber West. Open to all IWP members.

A candid, straightforward space for men who want more than small talk. This group blends practical education with a strong sense of camaraderie, focusing on how stress, pressure, and shutting down emotions affect both mind and body, then offering tools to counter those effects. Each meeting centers on clear guidance, open conversation, and an environment where men can speak plainly without pretenses or judgment. The emphasis is on authenticity, learning to meet life with focus, and developing strength from within. It functions more like a training ground than a casual chat. Accountability, perseverance, and mutual respect set the tone as participants work to disrupt harmful patterns, question outdated beliefs, and connect through real shared experience. The aim is not to fix anyone but to help each other refine and grow. Through honest dialogue and genuine connection, members build resilience, emotional steadiness, and a confident, steady masculinity. Participation does not require having everything figured out, only the courage to be present. Facilitated by Scott Ramsdell. Open to all IWP members.

This class offers compassionate guidance for accompanying loved ones at the end of life. Led by Jennifer Voss, a nurse practitioner, and Witch Jodi, a registered nurse, it looks at death through medical and spiritual perspectives. Participants learn practical ways to support a peaceful passing, care for personal grief and that of family and friends, understand the role of a death doula, and create safe, supportive spaces for the transition. The session also shares meaningful rituals, simple comforts, and resources for continued learning, with an emphasis on honoring those approaching life’s final moments.

Wild-caught sockeye salmon fillets priced at $18 per pound will be available at Stillwater Minnesota Farmers Market in Stillwater, MN.

Promoted as the best ski swap in town, this event keeps things simple and convenient. Participants drop off gear the day before, and the swap takes place the following day.

Hosted by the LILA Foundation, this community fundraiser features 5k and 1k races at the LILA Headwaters campus. The flat course is professionally timed, offering an opportunity to chase a personal record and to capture finish line photos in costume. Proceeds benefit the LILA Foundation, founded by volunteers focused on sustaining LILA and its community. Registration includes a race bib and official timing, age group rankings with awards, and a soft long sleeve shirt for early registrants, with a hoodie upgrade option that is new this year. The event is open to the public, and food will be available for purchase.

Rotarians from the St. Croix Valley gather for Polio's Last Mile, a community walk on World Polio Day that raises awareness for Rotary’s work to eradicate polio worldwide. Participants meet at the historic lift bridge in downtown Stillwater, then walk a half mile over the bridge into Wisconsin and back, completing a one mile route that symbolizes how close this effort is to the finish line. Registration is requested through Eventbrite, and a suggested donation of $25 per walker supports Rotary’s Polio Plus, with additional details provided on Eventbrite. A brief presentation takes place before the walk begins.

A Halloween market collaboration brings Nordic Bakester together with Mama Bear Sweets for a festive team-up.

Celebrating its 10th year, this annual Fall Bonanza Craft & Vendor Show fills M Health Fairview Sports Center, formerly HealthEast Sports Center, with arts, crafts, an indoor flea market, antiques, home décor, local businesses, sporting goods, and more. Over 150 crafters and vendors present a wide variety of unique, quality products and gift ideas. Festive touches and Halloween fun create a family friendly atmosphere, whether planning a full shopping outing with loved ones or a day with friends.

Celebrate the second year of trick or treating at Gammelgården Museum with a family-friendly outing across its historic grounds. Children can test out their costumes in the daylight while moving from building to building to collect candy, and simple Halloween crafts designed for kids will be available. Capture photos of costumed kids by the many Dala horses around the property, and feel free to tag the museum when sharing. The setting offers a charming glimpse of the past and a chance to enjoy the crisp autumn air together.

At Guardian Angels-Oakdale, the MACC Gala of Radiant Reflections offers an elegant evening centered on community and purpose in support of faith-centered mental health care. Designed for counselors, pastors, ministry leaders, supporters, and friends of MACC, the gathering features a happy hour with a silent auction, followed by dinner and a program, then concludes with dancing and celebration. Attendance helps launch the MACC Online Directory, a public resource that connects individuals and families across the Midwest with reliable Christian counselors, pastors, and ministries. A portion of the proceeds also supports The Dwelling Place. Dressy attire is encouraged, and guests may come with a friend or family member for a meaningful night that makes Christ-centered care easier to find.

This costume hike welcomes people of all ages to explore the Lake Elmo Park Reserve trails with the Wild Wanderers Hiking Club. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costume and enjoy a guided walk through landscapes that showcase the St. Croix and Namekagon Riverway. The club focuses on building a love of the outdoors and creating connections with nature and one another through shared experiences. The hike is led by members of the Wild Rivers Conservancy team. Wendy, the Community Engagement Manager since 2021, brings more than two decades of environmental education experience and five years as a hiking guide and regional leader with She Ascends Hiking and Wellness. Owen, the Outdoor Program Coordinator since 2024, has guided canoe and backpacking expeditions throughout North America, taught adaptive skiing in Colorado, and holds Wilderness First Responder certification with training in outdoor risk management. October, the Conservancy's Outdoor Program Specialist, is an avid outdoorsman with years of guiding along the Riverway, extensive paddling and fishing experience, and adventures spanning the coast from Washington to Alaska. A Washington County Parks vehicle permit is required for parking at this location. Wear comfortable, weather appropriate clothing and sturdy walking shoes. For safety, the program may be canceled due to inclement weather or hazardous conditions and notifications will be sent by email if plans change. There are no refunds for participant initiated cancellations.

The Ozark Tavern hosts a Halloween party with live music from the YaYa Boys. Expect chilled drinks, lively tunes, and space to dance. Add your voice to the music, get moving on the floor, or relax and listen for an easygoing night of entertainment.

Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz brings a live set of classic jazz and favorite tunes to The Velveteen, creating an intimate speakeasy atmosphere in Stillwater. Guests can make song requests during the performance and enjoy cocktails that have earned accolades. Reservations are suggested on busy nights but not required. To reserve, call (651) 342-2571 and leave your name, contact number, when you plan to attend, and the size of your party.

Explore self-care through sound with practitioner Kali Higgins in a session centered on the Full Moon in Taurus, emphasizing release and alignment with personal values. Taking place at Oakdale Discovery Center and Nature Preserve, the class begins with a brief discussion of the planetary themes of the moment, followed by a 50-minute immersive sound bath. Designed for adults 18 and older. The cost is $36 per person. Each session in this series encourages living in harmony with seasonal and lunar cycles.

This monthly member meeting from the Minnesota 4 Wheel Drive Association is open to members, local club participants, and anyone interested in responsible off-road recreation in Minnesota. Attendees can hear updates on off-road trail access and development, land use work and advocacy, legislation affecting OHV recreation, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, and overall association planning and business.

Celebrate the release of the sixth installment in Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series at Barnes & Noble in St Paul. To attend and secure a copy, visit the store to make a pre-paid reservation, and bring the reservation number, which will serve as your ticket to receive the book. Participation without purchasing does not require sign up, though if the store reaches capacity, reservation holders will receive priority. Additional details will be shared as they are confirmed, including planned activities, café offerings, publisher swag, and other updates.

Get ready for the newest installment in Sarah J. Maas’s ACOTAR series, A Court of Splintered Harmony. This release focuses on making the book available the moment it goes on sale, giving fans the opportunity to secure a copy as soon as it reaches the shelves. More details will be shared. RSVP by email to Mel.

Status Check offers a weekly peer-led space to connect, reflect, and share lived experiences. It is designed to ease isolation and welcome people exactly as they are. Participants are invited to be heard, to listen, and to sit with others without pressure to perform, explain, or fix anything. Conversations emphasize building connection and honest check-ins about what feels settled and what feels unsettled. The focus stays on shared humanity rather than giving advice or solutions, with attentive and respectful listening at the center. There is room for both speaking and quiet. Participation is always at your discretion, and you choose what and how much to share. Silence is accepted and valued. The group is open-ended, so people may attend, step away, or return as needed. This gathering is intended for military personnel, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, frontline healthcare workers, corrections professionals, and 911 dispatchers.

A weekly chess get together featuring relaxed, casual play for everyone. All ages and experience levels are welcome, from beginners to seasoned players. The gathering takes place at R H Stafford Library Woodbury in St Paul.