Highlights this week and weekend include the 30th Annual New Ulm Oktoberfest in New Ulm, Fall Colors Fine Art & Jazz Festival in Stillwater, 6th Annual Harvest Fest & Fall Flea Market in Perham, 2011 Middle River Goose Festival in Middle River, and the 15th Annual Crossing Borders Studio Tour from Two Harbors to Grand Portage.

This report is brought to you by Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Southern Minnesota

The 30th Annual New Ulm Oktoberfest will be held Friday and Saturday, September 30 & October 1, and October 7 & 8, in downtown New Ulm and at the Holiday Inn New Ulm. The festival features musical entertainment, including very own New Ulm's Concord Singers and bands from Germany! There will also be dancing, German goods for sale, plenty of food and drink, public tours of the August Schell's Brewery, John Lind Home, Wanda Gag House, Hermann Monument, and Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and horse-drawn trolley rides through downtown and past historic homes each Saturday! This event is ranked in the "Top 25 Events in Minnesota" for many years! There is a fee to attend festivities at the Holiday Inn. 1-877-359-2941, 1-888-463-9856; newulmoktoberfest.com

Granite Falls will be the site of the 8th Annual Upper Minnesota Valley Art Meander Kickoff Event on Friday, September 30, with music, food, history and art on both sides of the Minnesota River joined by the historic footbridge. And don't miss Meander 2011: The Upper Minnesota River Arts Crawl, Friday through Sunday, September 30 through October 2, for a self-guided tour of 33 artist studios along the Upper Minnesota River featuring fine works of art by 45 artists! 1-866-866-5432; artsmeander.com

The annual Johnny Appleseed Festival will be held throughout Lake City on Saturday, October 1. Held during the peak of the region's spectacular fall foliage display and apple harvest, visitors will enjoy a farmer's market, apple pie and bake sale, basket raffles, children's games, chili cook-off, an arts & crafts fair, book sales, kid inflatable rides, petting zoo, scarecrow hunt, pancake breakfast, kids' pedal tractor pull, and many other fun family activities. 1-800-369-4123; lakecity.org, lakecity.org/johnnyappleseed.html

Bancroft Bay Park in Albert Lea will be the site of the Big Island Rendezvous and Festival, Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2. This is an award-winning and largest of its kind early America and fur trade "living history" reenactment, with over 1000 participants, 250 tents, a wide array of colonial cuisine, live entertainment, colonial crafts, and demonstrations. 1-800-658-2526; bigislandfestivalandbbq.org

The 28th Annual Halloween Warm-Up will be offered Friday and Saturday, October 7 & 8, at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin. Enjoy Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters and spirits of the night. Take a 45-minute hike through the woods, then relax inside the Nature Center building with some cider and treats. Designed for children ages 4-11, accompanied by an adult, since it can be a little scary at times. This event is co-sponsored by the Matchbox Children's Theatre. 1-800-444-5713; hormelnaturecenter.org

McGowan's Farm in Mankato will present History Fest, Friday through Sunday, October 7-9, with a chance to "experience" what it was like in days gone by. Enjoy re-enactors of 17th century Scotland and the Old West to belly dancers and fire-eaters, and try your hand at launching a catapult, cider making, cannon shooting, and much more. This event is designed to allow children to get hands-on-learning experiences that will make learning about history fun! 507/388-2506; historyfest.com

The 45th Annual Fall Festival of the Arts will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 8 & 9, in downtown Red Wing surrounded beautiful fall color, with over 90 artists participating! This event attracts over 10,000 visitors annually! In addition, enjoy great food, live music, and lots of children's activities. 651-388-7569; redwingartsassociation.org

Upcoming concerts and performances include Heiruspecs & Roma Di Luna at The Palace Theater in Luverne, October 1: 507/283-4339; Trampled by Turtles & Molly Maher and Her Disbelievers at the Shattuck at St. Mary’s University in Faribault, October 8: 507/333-1500; Doomtree & Heiruspecs at the T.B. Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, October 22: 1-800-899-5759

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity

Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse will be held daily through Sunday, October 2, under the white Big Top Tent located off I-394 and Highway 100 in St. Louis Park. Cavalia is an innovative multi-media and multi-disciplinary production created by Norman Latourelle, one of the co-founders of Cirque du Soleil. 952/925-4848; cavalia.net

The Renaissance Festival Grounds, located just southwest of Shakopee on Hwy 169, will be the site of the 2011 Minnesota Renaissance Festival each Saturday and Sunday, through October 2, including Friday, September 30. Come be a part of this long-standing tradition and enjoy 7 themed weekends, 16 Stages of live entertainment, live armored jousting, food & drink fit for a king, over 250 artisan booths, lots of family friendly activities, and much more! 952/445-7361; renaissancefest.com

The Fall Colors Fine Art & Jazz Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2, in downtown Stillwater, with a chance to shop for unique items while enjoying jazz and the beautiful fall foliage along the St. Croix River and historic Main Street. 651/351-1717; discoverstillwater.com

Apple orchards in the Hastings vicinity will offer Apple Fest 2011 each Saturday and Sunday, October 1-16. One local orchard, Afton Apple Orchard, will offer apple-picking, apple sales, hayrides, face painting, a petting farm, Straw Mountain, Retread Hill, a corn maze, cider pressing demonstrations, Cow Train rides, folk & bluegrass music, and chainsaw carving demonstrations. Other participating orchards include Fischer Croix Farm Orchard, Carpenter Nature Center, Whistling Well Farm and McDougall's Orchard. 651-436-8385; aftonapple.com/apples.htm#fes

An Antique Spectacular Show & Flea Market will be held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2, with 300-400 dealers selling a unique blend of antique furniture, collectables and outdoor flea market items. Discount admission coupons are available online. Other shows held at the State Fairgrounds this Saturday, October 1, include the Fall Festival Arabian Horse Show, Junior League Next-to-New Sale, MnPAW Animal Adoption Event, Military Relic Show, and Weapons Collectors' Show & Sale. 651/771-3476, 651/288-4400; mnantiqueshows.com, mnstatefair.org

Zywiec's Haunting 3D Experience will be offered October 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 19-22, and 26-31, with a haunted house in 3D, a corn maze, Low-Scare Matinee, large bonfire, free nightly movies on a huge outdoor screen, food concessions, and a garden store. 651/459-3001; hauntingexperience.com/home.php

Buck Hill in Burnsville will present Frightmares at Buck Hill, Fridays and Saturdays, October 7-29, including Thursdays, October 20 & 27, and Sundays, October 23 & 30. Frightmares features an entire evening of entertainment, with the Orchard Manor Dead and Breakfast, Fright Factory, Bellharm Lovejoy Asylum, Haunted Hollow, Scream Scene, and Halls of Magic! Also enjoy dinner and drinks, a teen area in the chalet, live bands in the Buck Stone Lodge, bonfires, and more! 952/435-7174; frightmares.com

And just some of the upcoming concerts and performances include:
Dar Williams & Joan Osborne at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, September 28
The Male Intellect: an Oxymoron at the New Century Theatre in Minneapolis, September 28-30
Bassnectar at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at the St. Paul RiverCentre, September 30
Peter Frampton at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, September 30
Trace Adkins at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, September 30
Barney Live In Concert - Birthday Bash! at the Target Center, October 1
Duluth Festival Opera's Pocahontas at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, October 1
Trailer Park Boys at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, October 4
Roger Daltrey Performs The Who's Tommy at the Target Center in Minneapolis, October 5
Bryan Adams at the Historic State Theatre, October 6
Aretha Franklin at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, October 7
CAMJAM11 - Hot Laughs, Cool Swing at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, October 7
Jim Gaffigan at the Historic State Theatre, October 7 & 8
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at the Pantages Theatre, October 8
The Bangles at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, October 11
Baxter Black at the Fitzgerald Theater, October 13
The Pointer Sisters and The Temptations at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, October 13
Jo Koy at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, October 15
Keith Urban - Get Closer World Tour 2011 at the Target Center, October 15
The Legends of Las Vegas Sinatra Salute Starring Michael Motone at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, October 16
Warren Haynes Band at the Fitzgerald Theater, October 19
The Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, October 20
The Minneapolis Shrine Circus at the Target Center, October 20-23
George Lopez at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, October 21
Christopher O'Riley - Out of My Hands at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, October 21
The Scottish Ballet at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 22
Disney's Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! at the Xcel Energy Center ni St. Paul, October 23
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Mall of America Field, October 23
Joe Bonamassa at the Historic State Theatre, October 25
Widespread Panic at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, October 25
Dessa at the Fitzgerald Theater, October 28
VocalEssence at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 6
Ray Davies at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 8
The Civil Wars at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, November 9
Todd Snider at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 9
The Moth at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 11
Royal Winnipeg Ballet at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, November 12 & 13
David Sedaris at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, November 13
Al Jarreau at the Pantages Theatre, November 16
Jerry Seinfeld at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, November 19
The Minnesota RollerGirls at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at St. Paul RiverCentre, November 19
Shaquille O'Neal Presents All Star Comedy Jam at the Historic State Theatre, November 19
Shawn Phillips at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, November 19
Peter Ostroushko at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 25
Brandi Carlile at the Fitzgerald Theater, November 28
The New Standards at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, December 2 & 3
Buried Alive Tour at the Target Center, December 3
Wilco at the Historic State Theatre, December 6 & 7
The New York Polyphony at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, December 9
The Blenders Holiday Tour 2011 at the Pantages Theatre, December 9-11
Twin Cities Ballet Of Minnesota - The Nutcracker Ballet at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, December 9-11
All Is Calm at the Pantages Theatre, December 15-18
The Hegg Brothers at the Fitzgerald Theater, December 20
Sesame Street Live : Elmo Makes Music at the Target Center, January 11, 2012
Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam at the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, January 21, 2012
Jin Xing Dance Theatre's Shanghai at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, February 18, 2012
Shen Yun at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 9-11, 2012
The Houston Ballet at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, March 23 & 24, 2012
Ballet Preljocaj at the Historic Orpheum Theatre, April 13 & 14, 2012
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, May 1 & 2, 2012
Stephanie Miller's Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, May 12, 2012
For further information on any of these performances or events, please contact Ticketmaster at 651/989-5151, or visit ticketmaster.com

Central Minnesota

Downtown Perham will be the site of the 6th Annual Harvest Fest & Fall Flea Market on Saturday, October 1, with live music, food concessions, a petting zoo, magician, family activities, and two flea markets. Then on Sunday, October 2, head to nearby Maplewood State Park for Leaf Days, and enjoy a digital picture scavenger hunt, geocaching classes, wagon rides, and food and clothing sales amidst beautiful fall colors! 218-346-7710, 218/863-8383; perham.com, dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/maplewood/index.html

The Mille Lacs Lake Museum in Isle will be the site of the Olde-Tyme Fall Fest on October 1. Highlights will include art & crafts, displays and demonstrations, live music, and great food. Archaeology Day will also be held October 1 at the nearby Mille Lacs Kathio State Park in Onamia, with flint-knapping, pottery-making and primitive bow-making demonstrations, displays, archaeology projects, and spear-throwing, archery and children's activities. Visitors can also view an archaeological dig in progress, and take a voyageur canoe tour of archaeological sites. 1-888-350-2692, 320/532-3269; millelacs.com, dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/mille_lacs_kathio/index.html

An Oktoberfest & Grape Stomp will be offered at Millner Heritage Vineyard and Winery in Kimball, Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2, with authentic Oktoberfest festivities, ethnic dancers, live music, vendors, wine tasting, guided tours, an Austrian Buffet, and a chance to experience actual grape stomping! Kimball is located 20 minutes south of St. Cloud on Hwy 15. 320/398-2081; millnerheritage.com

The Brainerd vicinity will be the site of numerous fun family activities and events this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 1 & 2. Check out The Farm on St. Mathias Corn Maze in Brainerd, with wagon rides and a pumpkin playland also offered. Just to the north, A Maze-N-Pumpkinz in Nisswa will offer a Pumpkin Chunkin' contest, corn maze adventures, live music, hay rides, petting zoo and a craft show. Nearby, at Pumpkin Patch on 77 in Nisswa, visitors will enjoy pony rides, a bounce house, face painting, games, and lots of pumpkins. And on Saturday, October 1, be sure to check out the Fall Arts and Crafts Fair at the Brainerd High School, with more than 150 exhibitors offering quality, hand-crafted items. 1-800-450-2838; explorebrainerdlakes.com

The 14th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration will be held in Pelican Rapids, Thursday through Sunday, October 6-9. Highlights will include the Crowning of 2011 Mr. & Ms. Oktoberfest, largest pumpkin contest, Volksmarch, kids' carnival games, an Oktoberfest live auction, “Best of the Wurst” sausage & beer sampling, live music and dancing each evening, and an Old-Fashioned Sunday Afternoon Polka Party! 218/863-1221; pelicanrapidschamber.com/oktoberfest.htm

The Northland Arboretum in Baxter will host the 2nd Annual Oktoberfest at the Arb fundraiser on Friday, October 7. Enjoy German wines, local brews and specialty beer-tasting, German food and lots of brats, live music, the annual Hammerschlagen Contest and yodeling contest! Tickets can be purchased at the door. 218/829-8770; northlandarb.com

Northwest Minnesota

A Pumpkin Party will be offered each Saturday through October 29 at Carter's Red Wagon Farm in Park Rapids. Highlights include a corn & sunflower maze, wagon rides, mini-golf, pumpkin propeller, giant slide, hen house, Davy Crockett's Wild West shooting gallery, a "crow shoot", giant slide, "Tales in the Teepee with Grandma Jean," giant pumpkin boats, "cow milking," a straw bale maze, great food, and a chance to make your own cider! 1-800-247-0054; redwagonfarm.net

The town of Middle River, located just north of Thief River Falls, will be the site of the 2011 Middle River Goose Festival, Friday through Sunday, September 30-2. This 3-day citywide celebration is always held in conjunction with the opening of the waterfowl hunting season, and features competitions, a parade, dances, numerous food venues, displays, live entertainment, a Community Theatre play, and a flea market! 218/222-3767; middle-river.com/news-information/goose-fest

Fall Festival Day will be held Saturday, October 1, at the Red River State Recreation Area located at East Grand Forks. Come enjoy autumn in the park, along with children's activities, special games, pumpkin decorating, a scavenger hunt, bike ride to the bridge, apple cider and treats. 218/773-4950; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/red_river/index.html

The Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in Rochert will hold their annual Tamarac Fall Festival on Saturday, October 1, with wildlife watching on guided refuge tours, engaging wildlife education programs, lots of children's activities, a Volksmarch hike, and spectacular fall color! The Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge is located 18 miles northeast of Detroit Lakes. 218/847-2641; fws.gov/midwest/tamarac

A First Friday Art Walk will be offered Friday evening, October 7, at the Bemidji Community Art Center. A reception will be held at 5:00 p.m., followed by a reading by writer Susan Hauser from her from newly published book "My Kind of River Journey: Seeking Passage on the Mississippi," revealing her travels from St. Paul to the Gulf of Mexico on the Mississippi River. And on Saturday morning, October 8, attend a three-hour Writers' Workshop offered by Susan Hauser, and learn ways to read your own writing as others do, recognize values and meanings expressed in literature, and discover literal and metaphorical meanings in writing. Space is limited - please call ahead to reserve your spot. 218/444-7570; bcac.wordpress.com

The city of Crookston will offer a Cornstalk Jamboree on Saturday, October 8, with live music, great food, children's activities, pumpkins and other holiday decorations. 1-800-809-5997; visitcrookston.com

Upcoming concerts and performances in this region of the state include The New Standards and Alison Scott at A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls, October 15: 218/998-2787

Northeast Minnesota

Fall Color Trolley Tours will be offered at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm each Saturday through October 1. Visit the Glen Location by trolley and enjoy fall colors along the way. You can also explore a mining community ghost town, walk the trails, and visit with the folk arts demonstrators in and near the historic buildings. Afterwards, enjoy cider and cookies around the bonfire! 1-800-372-6437; mndiscoverycenter.com

Studios located along Lake Superior's North Shore Highway 61 from Two Harbors to Grand Portage will open their doors during the 15th Annual Crossing Borders Studio Tour through Sunday, October 2. More than 20 artists will participate at roughly eight locations. 1-800-388-8698; crossingbordersstudiotour.com

The North Shore Scenic Railroad in Duluth will run Fall Colors Steam Train Tours along the North Shore of Lake Superior each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October 16. Come enjoy the changing colors as you travel to historic Two Harbors, pulled by Soo Line 2719. This 6-hour trip includes a 2-hour layover in Two Harbors. Reservations are required. 1-800-423-1273; northshorescenicrailroad.org/Home/Home.asp

Anderson's Rock Creek Relics Corn Maze Tours will be offered at the Duane Anderson Farm in Rush City through Sunday, October 16. This corn maze features the State of Minnesota, with cities and towns marked in the maze, so you can follow your map to find them. In addition, enjoy hayrides, barrel train rides, two additional mazes, face painting, and other activities. 320/358-4844

The Audubon Center of the North Woods in Sandstone will host a Women's Wellness Adventure Weekend, Friday, September 30 through Sunday, October 2. This is an all-inclusive, holistic retreat, with comfy lodging, wonderful food, fascinating keynote speakers, fun evenings, and a variety of classes and activities to choose from. 1-888-404-7743; audubon-center.org/womens_wellness.htm

A Minnesota Charms Quilt Show will be held at the Black Bear Convention Center in Carlton, Thursday through Saturday, October 6-8. This regional quilt shows features over 100 quilts, hands-on demonstrations, displays, vendors and a featured speaker. There will also be exclusive Minnesota Batiks, Quilt Minnesota Shop Hop samples, Holly Taylor samples, and finished quilts for purchase. 218/476-3139; minnesotacharmsquiltshow.com

The William A. Irvin Ore Boat in Duluth will be the site of Haunted Ship Tours, Friday and Saturday, October 7 & 8. The William A Irvin is transformed into a haunted ship, where the ghosts come alive. During the self guided tour, you’ll discover why the haunting of the Irvin is not just a rumor, that the mysterious sightings recorded are truly real. Tours will also be offered Thursday through Saturday, October 13-15, Wednesday through Sunday, October 19-23, and Thursday through Monday, October 27-31. 218/722-5573; duluthhauntedship.com