MEA weekend is here in the Brainerd Lakes area, and Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, opens three of the region’s biggest fall draws: Crosslake’s first Oktoberfest, Haunted Hidden Hollows at Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd, and Oktoberfest at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort in Deerwood.
Crosslake Oktoberfest opens at noon
Crosslake Oktoberfest runs Friday–Saturday, Oct. 16–17, 2026, with the Main Tent at the old Exchange lot, 36095 County Road 66, Crosslake. The festival’s event page and the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal both list the Main Tent opening noon Friday (through 9 p.m.) and 10 a.m. Saturday (through 8 p.m.), with activities spanning 17 local stops around town. Friday’s schedule includes a keg tapping and welcome ceremony at 1 p.m. and live music from The Dweebs Family Band 5–8 p.m. at the Main Tent.
Haunted Hidden Hollows tonight in Brainerd
Haunted Hidden Hollows returns Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16–17 (and again Oct. 23–24 and 30–31) at Paul Bunyan Land, 17553 State Highway 18, Brainerd. The attraction’s site and Explore Brainerd Lakes both list gates at 7:00 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 10:00 p.m. and select rides running until 11:00 p.m. The haunt includes a three-story haunted house, a 14-acre corn maze and select rides. On Saturday, Oct. 17, noon–4 p.m., Paul Bunyan Land also lists a Family Day with the lights on and no live actors inside, priced at $14 per person.
Ruttger’s Oktoberfest in Deerwood
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort lists Oktoberfest Oct. 16–18, 2026, at 25039 Tame Fish Lake Road, Deerwood. The resort’s event page puts Friday hours at noon–5 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with traditional German food and entertainment. Explore Brainerd Lakes also lists the weekend and notes the 40th Annual Oktoberfest Arts & Crafts Show among the festivities.
Sources: Crosslake Oktoberfest — Event Details; Pine and Lakes Echo Journal — Crosslake Oktoberfest set for Oct. 16-17; Haunted Hidden Hollows / Paul Bunyan Land; Explore Brainerd Lakes — Halloween events; Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort — Oktoberfest; Explore Brainerd Lakes — Fall festivals 2026. Checked Oct. 16, 2026.
We do our best to keep these details accurate, but dates, times and locations can change. Please check with the venue or organizer before you go.
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