A neighbor's guide to living near the water

Lake Elmo Events

Lake Elmo Events

Community events and seasonal happenings in Lake Elmo - farmers markets, festivals, and local gatherings.

Lake Elmo Events

Lake Elmo has settled into its late-fall rhythm. The MEA weekend is behind us: Afton Apple Orchard wrapped its final 2026 festival weekend, the Dream of Wild Health Corn Fest filled the farm in Hugo, and the free corn maze festival at Rockpoint Church has been done since early October. Now the calendar centers on the last week of the fall farms and the park reserve: Country Sun Farm's fall season runs through October 31, Afton Apple stays open daily through Halloween, and the Wild Wanderers Costume Hike takes costumed families through Lake Elmo Park Reserve on Saturday, October 24 from 5 to 7 PM. One practical heads-up for next week: the park reserve closes its turf trails for the annual archery deer harvest on October 26-28 (and again November 9-11), while the paved trails, boat launch, and playground stay open. With the color on the prairies and oak savannas settling into late-season amber, here is what is coming up.

This Week: October 19 - 25

Coming Up

  • Country Sun Farm fall season, final stretch -- Open daily through October 31, 9 AM-6 PM on weekends, at 11211 N 60th St. Pumpkin picking, hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn pit, gem mining, and seasonal treats: a dependable Lake Elmo fall afternoon out for one more week and change. Check the farm's own site for the full list of attractions this season. countrysunfarm.com
  • Afton Apple Orchard daily fall season -- The festival weekends are wrapped for 2026, but the orchard stays open daily 10 AM-6 PM through Halloween with pick-your-own apples, the 15-acre corn maze, hayrides, and the petting farm, no festival admission required. The final two weeks of the fall season are on now. aftonapple.com
  • Wild Wanderers: Costume Hike -- Saturday, October 24, 5-7 PM at Lake Elmo Park Reserve (1515 Keats Ave N). A free, family-friendly Halloween hike through the woods presented by Wild Rivers Conservancy, with registration on Eventbrite. Costumes encouraged, and the reserve is at its best after the crowds of the day have gone home. Wild Rivers Conservancy
  • Scales and Tales of Snakes -- Saturday, October 24, 9 AM at the Afton State Park Visitor Center. A free DNR naturalist program on the park's snake species, their adaptations, and how to identify them, a good fall-field-trip morning just down the road. DNR calendar
  • Heads up: archery deer harvest closures -- All trailheads and turf trails at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Sunfish Lake Park close Monday-Wednesday, October 26-28 (and again November 9-11) for the annual archery deer harvest. The paved trails, boat launch, playground, and pavilions stay open, so biking the hard surface and paddling from the launch still work fine. Washington County
  • Fall colors at the Park Reserve -- The DNR's forecast had the metro's peak window in mid-October, and the show is now settling. The park reserve's oak savannas and prairie grasses hold late-season copper and gold, so the trails are still worth the trip this week before the turf trails close for the harvest.

Recently Completed

Just Wrapped Up

  • Afton Apple Orchard's final festival weekend (October 17-18) -- The season's last festival admission weekend wrapped two big days of corn maze, hayrides, and live music; the orchard's daily fall season continues through Halloween.
  • Dream of Wild Health Corn Fest (October 17) -- Corn-themed food demos and farming activities celebrated Indigenous foodways at the intertribal farm in Hugo, a short drive away.
  • Hilltop Pumpkin Party & 73rd Annual Rotary Halloween Parade (October 17) -- Hudson's long-running costume parade and pumpkin party filled YMCA Camp St. Croix across the river.
  • Gammelgarden Swedish Sale (October 15-18) -- The sixth annual second-hand Swedish sale in Scandia brought Scandinavian finds and baked goods to the historic museum grounds.
  • Stillwater Harvest Fest (October 10-11) -- The giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin drop, kids' costume parade, and pumpkin regatta filled Lowell Park in Stillwater, a short drive away.
  • Afton Apple Orchard earlier festival weekends (September 26-27, October 3-4, October 10-11) -- The orchard's earlier 2026 festival weekends drew crowds for apple picking, the corn maze, and hayrides before the final festival weekend wrapped the season.
  • Fall Harvest Fest at Camp St. Croix (October 10) -- The YMCA's working-farm celebration in Hudson brought local produce, hayrides, and live music to the camp grounds.
  • Washington County Fall Night Hike (October 8) -- The free lit-trail hike drew families to Lake Elmo Park Reserve, with lights on from dusk to 9:30 PM and hikers off the trails by then.
  • Night Owl 5K & 10K / 6-Hour Shuffle (October 3) -- The multi-distance night race tested runners' legs at Lake Elmo Park Reserve as the days shorten.
  • Stillwater Fall Craft & Gift Show (September 26-27) -- 150+ crafters and vendors filled the Washington County Fairgrounds with fall decor and handmade gifts.
  • Washington County Bluegrass Festival (September 12) -- The 24th annual free, family-friendly bluegrass afternoon at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, with live bands on the lawn and face painting.
  • Lake Elmo City Celebration (September 12) -- A community gathering with food, music, and family activities at Lions Park honoring the town.
  • Grape Stomp at Saint Croix Vineyards (September 12-13) -- Minnesota's original grape stomp with stomping competitions, vineyard tours, live music, and wine tasting, a short drive west of Lake Elmo.
  • Waldfest 60th Anniversary (September 7) -- The free Bavarian party in the pines at the Gasthaus closed out its 60th edition over Labor Day weekend, a short scenic drive from Lake Elmo.
  • Stillwater Flea Market (August 29) -- Vintage goods, antiques, handmade items, and local finds around the Washington County Fairgrounds.
  • Woodbury Days (August 28-30) -- The family festival at Ojibway Park closed out with live entertainment, food, carnival rides, and fireworks.
  • Northern Lights Dressage Show (August 21-23) - A regional horse show at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Equestrian Center drawing riders from across the Midwest.
  • Washington County Fair (July 29-August 2) - The 155th edition of Washington County's biggest annual event wrapped up at the Fairgrounds. Over 75,000 visitors.
  • Lake Elmo Summer Sizzler (August 8) - 5K, 10K, 15K, and kids' race at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Lake Elmo Farmers Market

Saturdays, 9 AM-1 PM at Lake Elmo Elementary (11030 Stillwater Blvd N). Local produce, meat, eggs, flowers, and artisan breads. The 2026 season has wrapped up for the year. We will update this page when the 2027 season dates are announced. Minnesota Grown listing

Additionally, Cimarron Community Farm (11035 10th Street) hosts a farm market and offers a summer CSA program. Market details

Fall Events & Park Programs

  • Washington County Bluegrass Festival - The 24th annual free festival at Lake Elmo Park Reserve took place September 12. See you at the 25th in 2027.
  • Stillwater Fall Craft & Gift Show - September 26-27 at the Washington County Fairgrounds. 150+ crafters and vendors. Completed for 2026.
  • Free Corn Maze at Rockpoint Church - The free Saturday corn maze festival ran September 12-October 3, with an accessible session October 4; the 2026 season is wrapped, and it will be back next fall. Rockpoint Church
  • Food Truck Extravaganza - Up to 40 food trucks, live music, shopping, and family fun. Check Connect Lake Elmo for dates.
  • Wild Wanderers: Costume Hike - Saturday, October 24, 5-7 PM at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. A free, family-friendly Halloween hike through the woods, presented by Wild Rivers Conservancy with registration on Eventbrite. Wild Rivers Conservancy
  • Scales and Tales of Snakes - Saturday, October 24, 9 AM at Afton State Park Visitor Center. A free DNR naturalist program on the park's snakes. DNR calendar
  • Archery deer harvest closures - Trailheads and turf trails at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Sunfish Lake Park close Monday-Wednesday, October 26-28 and November 9-11; paved trails, the boat launch, playground, and pavilions stay open.
  • Dream of Wild Health Corn Fest - Saturday, October 17, 12-4 PM in Hugo, a short drive from Lake Elmo. Completed for 2026, and worth catching next year. Dream of Wild Health

Park & Nature Programs

  • Lake Elmo Park Reserve offers seasonal nature programs including educational activities for kids and adults on topics like pollinators and geology, and its 5,000+ acres of prairie, woods, and lakes make it a year-round destination.
  • Sunfish Lake Park features a storybook trail for families during the warmer months.

For regional events across the lake communities, see Events Guide. For the full Lake Elmo calendar: Connect Lake Elmo.

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