Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and Mall of America is making a day of it. The mall's free Mall-O-Ween event runs from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31 at spots across the building, with most of the action in the Rotunda and the Southeast Court. You don't need to register, the mall said.
It starts at noon with a DJ dance party and photo ops in the Rotunda. The candy comes later: trick-or-treating begins at 4 p.m. for kids 12 and under at participating stores, while supplies last. Stores hand out the candy, not the Rotunda, so don't camp out by the DJ booth waiting for a bucket. Families need to bring their own treat bags. The mall hasn't posted the list of participating stores yet and says an event map and tenant list are coming.
For kids with food allergies, the mall is setting up an Allergy-Friendly Zone in the Southeast Court. Over at Nickelodeon Universe, the park is adding Halloween touches: a Fog Chute, Fright Lights and what the mall calls spooky surprises at the South Entrance. Wiley Wallaby is the event's listed sponsor.
Before you plan costumes, know the rules. Costumes must be family-friendly and free from violence or obscenities, and full-face masks aren't allowed, the mall said. Your kid can still be a ghost, just not one with their whole face covered.
Mind the clock too. The mall's Parental Escort Policy kicks in at 3 p.m., an hour before trick-or-treating starts. Under the policy, anyone under 16 must be with an adult 21 or older from 3 p.m. to close, and 1 adult can supervise up to 10 kids. During those hours, anyone 21 or younger should be ready to show a physical photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID or passport. School IDs and photos of IDs don't count. In practice, 14-year-olds can't drop by on their own after school for a candy run.
Mall-O-Ween isn't the only thing on the mall's calendar that weekend. The Gundam Base and Bandai Namco Cross Store grand opening is Friday, Oct. 30. The Latin Luminos Día de los Muertos ofrenda will be up in the Atrium from Oct. 30 through Nov. 2.
