Fall arts and entertainment guide: Get outside and stay creative with these fall festivals and family fun

The State Fair may be behind us, but there’s still plenty of fun to go around.

Here’s a selection of festivals, fairs and other frivolities to fill your fall over the next couple months:

Now through Sept. 29 — Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Shakopee: Now in its 53rd season, the iconic Renaissance-era festival returns with plenty of entertainment, food and fun costumes. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 29, plus a bonus Friday, Sept. 27. Gate admission for adults is $27.95, seniors $25.95, and kids under 12 $18.95; renaissancefest.com.

Now through Oct. 6 — Take Me To The River, St. Croix Valley: During this annual art crawl, visit open studios throughout the valley; specific dates/locations at takemetotheriver.info.

Sept. 13–14 — St. Paul Oktoberfest, Germanic-American Institute: The ultimate German fall celebration, with beer; food vendors serving pretzels, brats, potato pancakes, strudel and more; and more than eight different music and dance groups. Prost! Free, but a $10 wristband is required to buy beer or wine. Runs 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; 301 Summit Ave.

Sept. 13–15 — Arb Glass Pumpkin Patch, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: The only downside of these gorgeous glass pumpkins for sale is that you can’t make pie with them! More than 7,000 hand-blown pumpkins will be for sale. You’ll need to enter the arboretum to access the sale: free for members and $20 advance tickets for nonmembers ($25 at the gate); 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska.

Sept. 14 — Autumn Arts Festival, North St. Paul: This annual event at Casey Lake Park features dozens of art vendors, plus a bounce house, kids crafts and several local food trucks. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 2101 E. 17th Ave., North St. Paul.

Sept. 14 — Fiesta Latina, CLUES St. Paul: Join the Latino community for this ever-expanding family festival that’ll include dancing, live music, craft activities, a backpack giveaway and health and wellness opportunities. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free; 797 E. Seventh St.

Sept. 14 — Selby Jazz Fest: The beloved annual festival returns with a variety of jazz performances from local and national musicians, plus food and crafts. Free, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Selby Avenue and Milton Street.

Sept. 14–15 — MinnesoThai Street Food Festival, St. Louis Park: At the West End, come to this two-day celebration of all things Thai, from fashion to folk dance to music. Oh, and food, of course — organizers boast the state’s largest pad thai cooking demo and the annual spicy papaya salad-eating contest (if you dare). Free and dog-friendly; 1693 Duke Dr. St. Louis Park.

Sept. 21 — Marine Mills Folk School Festival: More than 50 teaching artists and friends of this organization that safeguards and teaches traditional crafts will have handmade items for sale — plus, live music, raffles, sheepherding demos and hands-on crafts. Free! 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 550 Pine St., Marine On St. Croix.

Sept. 21 — Art & Artists Celebration, Franconia Sculpture Park: The 28th annual day of creativity includes art workshops, a food truck, a music performance by the Oshkii Giizhik Singers and an exhibition of new work by artist Marlena Myles. Noon to 5 p.m. Free with a suggested $10 donation per car for parking; 29836 St. Croix Trail, Shafer, Minn.

Sept. 22 — Twin Cities Veg Fest, Harriet Island Regional Park: One of the largest vegan festivals in the Midwest; thousands are expected to gather along the Mississippi for a day of music, cooking demos, nutrition presentations, family performances, art and more. Free, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd.

Sept. 28 through Nov. 2 —  Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Minnesota Zoo: Now in its sixth year, the zoo transforms into a pumpkin patch-slash-art installation-slash-magical trail. Timed tickets are required and have been known to sell out; $18–24 for adults and $14–20 for kids and seniors, with parking included. Zoo members get $2 off. Get tickets at mnzoo.org.

Oct. 4–5 — Twin Cities Oktoberfest, State Fairgrounds: Enjoy plenty of beer and food from local partners like Utepils Brewing, Aki’s Breadhaus and many more, plus the exact kind of live music you want to hear at Oktoberfest. You want to be here. No admission charge, but IDs are a must and your own mugs are encouraged. Runs 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Find more info at tcoktoberfest.com.

Oct. 5–6 — Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Stillwater: The 47th annual art festival along the St. Croix is set to bring more than 180 artists and thousands of art fans to Stillwater. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days; Lowell Park.

Oct. 12 — MN Woodworkers Expo, State Fairgrounds: More than 80 local and national woodworkers, manufacturers, and organizations will converge for a day of tool swaps, demos, kids crafts and other fun activities. Free, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Progress Center building (a.k.a. Eco Experience)

Oct. 12–13 — Stillwater Harvest Fest: Giant pumpkins — weighing, dropping, eating, rowing in them as boats… what more could you ask for?! The festival bills itself as a smashing good time, and the schedule is packed, so don’t miss it. Downtown Stillwater; full schedule at www.harvestfeststillwater.com.

Oct. 27 — BOOnion Depot, St. Paul: Put on your costumes and head to Union Depot for crafts, a DJ and dance zone with prices, face painting, balloon artists and character meet-and-greets. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 214 E. Fourth St., St. Paul