Halloween week in Bismarck-Mandan starts in a museum gallery full of witches and trolls and ends with Mandan porch lights coming on. Here's what organizers have posted for Oct. 27–31, 2026.
Folklore and frights at the Heritage Center
Haunted Museum — North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, 612 East Boulevard Ave., Bismarck. Organizer: State Historical Society of North Dakota.
- When: Runs through Nov. 1. Tuesday through Friday, Oct. 27–30, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- What: A "legendscary" gallery of scenes drawn from regional folklore, with witches, dwarves, trolls, fairies and other mysterious figures.
- Stories: North Dakota-themed spooky stories are read in the Great Plains Theater at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekdays (Oct. 27–30 this week).
- Cost: The museum describes it as free and family-friendly.
Halloween crafts at the Mandan library
Build with Badges: Halloween LEGOs! — Tuesday, Oct. 27, 3:45–4:15 p.m., The Nest/Children's Reading Room, Morton Mandan Public Library, 609 W. Main St. Organizer: Morton Mandan Public Library. A local community hero reads a story, then kids build Halloween-themed LEGO creations. The library lists it for ages 4–10.
Spooky Stylus Create Kit — available through Oct. 31, Morton Mandan Public Library. Kids in grades 5–12 get supplies to sculpt clay around a pen, adding wrinkles, knuckles and a nail for a writing tool the library says is worthy of the Addams Family. Registration is required and closes at 12 a.m. Oct. 31 (the end of Friday, Oct. 30); kits go while supplies last.
Trick-or-treating in Mandan
The City of Mandan says trick-or-treating happens on Halloween every year. There is no set time, but it usually runs 6–9 p.m. A porch light that's on means the home is ready for trick-or-treaters; a dark porch means it isn't taking part.
For kids with food allergies, the city is mapping Teal Pumpkin houses that offer non-food treats like toys or stickers. Households, and events with allergy-friendly items, can register by the morning of Oct. 31. Entries appear on the 2026 map after the city approves them.
Standing safety tips
The Bismarck Police Department's standing Halloween safety handout from its Crime Prevention section advises that younger children go out with an adult and older kids go with friends. It also suggests mapping out a route ahead of time and checking treats at home before anyone eats them.
Also on the calendar
The state Office of Management and Budget lists the First Responder Trunk or Treat for Thursday, Oct. 29, 5–7:30 p.m. on the Capitol Mall Loop, 600 East Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, where first responders bring their vehicles for kids and families.
Sources:
- North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Haunted Museum: https://statemuseum.nd.gov/haunted
- Heritage Center event listing, Oct. 31, 2026: https://statemuseum.nd.gov/events/haunted-museum-9
- Morton Mandan Public Library, Build with Badges: https://mortonmandan.librarycalendar.com/event/build-badges-16595
- Morton Mandan Public Library, Spooky Stylus Create Kit: https://mortonmandan.librarycalendar.com/event/spooky-stylus-create-kit-teens-tweens-17112
- City of Mandan, Teal Pumpkin Project and trick-or-treat guidance: https://www.cityofmandan.com/tealpumpkin
- Bismarck Police Department, Halloween Safety (standing handout): https://bismarcknd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3662/Halloween-Safety
- ND Office of Management and Budget, First Responder Trunk or Treat: https://www.omb.nd.gov/events/first-responder-trunk-or-treat-october-29-2026
