Downtown Hastings, MN 2026 Candy Crawl. Image by HastingsNow.
Monday, October 26, 2026 | Hastings, Minnesota
Free winter coats for kids, Halloween celebrations, Raider football playoffs and community needs headline today's ten useful Hastings-area updates.
Weather + On This Date
A cool, cloudy and rainy Monday starts the week in Hastings, with a high near 49°F and an overnight low around 45°F. Rain becomes more likely through the morning and remains in the forecast Monday night, so keep that in mind when planning errands and activities.
Explore today's Hastings Weather + On This Date for the companion daily feature.
Monday's LOCAL 10
The final week of October brings a mix of practical help and Halloween plans to Hastings. Families can prepare for two community events this weekend, while Raiders football fans have a home playoff game to anticipate.
There are also opportunities to help animals, support a neighborhood grocery store, explore school district updates and enjoy a few seasonal surprises from local businesses.
Here are ten things worth knowing as Monday, October 26, gets underway.
TOP 3 TODAY
1. Free Winter Coats for Hastings-Area Children October 31
A warm winter coat can make a meaningful difference as colder weather approaches. On Saturday, October 31, Knights of Columbus Council 1600 will distribute free new winter coats to children from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2035 15th Street West in Hastings.
Coats will be available in sizes ranging from 12 months through teen XL. Hastings Family Service is also sponsoring winter accessories, including hats, mittens, scarves and gloves.
All are welcome, and no appointment is needed. Coats and accessories will be distributed while supplies last.
Families can find the location, event details and participation information on the official Coats for Kids event page from Hastings Family Service.
It's a practical opportunity for families preparing for winter—and a useful resource to share with neighbors who may benefit.
2. Hastings Community Halloween Party Returns October 30
Halloween celebrations continue Friday, October 30, when the City of Hastings hosts its Community Halloween Party from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hastings High School, 200 General Sieben Drive.
The event will take place in the school's lower-level commons and gym, with more than 30 activity stations, games, music, candy and prizes provided with support from local businesses and organizations.
The party is recommended for families with children ages 12 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For admission, families are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for Hastings Family Service or make a cash or check donation supporting the Youth Impact Council Scholarship.
One detail to know before arriving: there is no costume contest this year.
Visit the City of Hastings events calendar for the official information, or see the city's Halloween party announcement.
3. Top-Seeded Hastings Raiders Host Halloween Football Semifinal
Halloween afternoon will bring playoff football to Hastings.
The Raiders earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A, Section 3 tournament and are scheduled to host a semifinal on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m. at McNamara Stadium/Todd Field.
Their opponent will be determined by Tuesday's October 27 quarterfinal between Apple Valley and Burnsville.
The top seed puts Hastings in position to play its semifinal at home as the team continues its postseason run. For fans, the important details are already taking shape: Saturday afternoon, Todd Field and a spot in the section final at stake.
Follow the Hastings Raiders Football playoff announcement for the original team update. The opponent and any ticketing details should be confirmed through the team or official tournament sources as the week progresses.
Local 10 infographic by HastingsNow.com
QUICK HITS
4. Animal Ark Needs Canned Cat Food Donations
Animal Ark in Hastings is asking for help replenishing its canned cat food supply.
The shelter specifically requests Fancy Feast or Friskies pâté, particularly chicken, turkey, beef and other nonseafood varieties. Residents who would like to help may drop off donations during operating hours at 2600 Industrial Court.
The request is a useful reminder that animal shelters need everyday supplies as well as financial support.
See Animal Ark's specific food request or visit its official donation page for additional ways to contribute.
5. Hastings School Board Reviews Reading Support, Career Pathways and Policy 505
Hastings Public Schools has shared highlights from the Wednesday, October 21, school board meeting, including discussions about high school career pathways, elementary reading interventions and proposed revisions to Policy 505.
Policy 505 concerns the distribution, posting and display of materials on school district property. According to the district's update, the policy remains under legal review and will return for further consideration; the proposed revisions should not be treated as adopted.
Residents interested in how district priorities and policies develop can read the school district's meeting recap and examine the October 21 official school board agenda.
6. Spiral Food Co-op Seeks $80,000 in Community Support
Spiral Food Co-op is asking Hastings-area residents to help strengthen the locally based grocery store's financial footing.
The member-owned cooperative has launched an $80,000 fundraising campaign intended to stabilize operations and rebuild working capital following a series of financial setbacks.
The campaign explains how contributions would support operating needs, inventory and financial stability. Supporters can consider donating, becoming co-op owners or making regular purchases at the store.
Residents who want to understand the situation and decide whether to contribute can read the official Spiral Food Co-op fundraising appeal on GiveMN, along with the co-op's original community update.
7. Crème de la Crème Introduces Organic Cinnamon Rolls
A new dessert is joining the conversation in Hastings.
Crème de la Crème has announced organic cinnamon rolls served with a scoop of homemade ice cream, combining a warm baked treat with the business's frozen specialty.
The announcement offers another local option for residents looking for something sweet. Pricing and daily availability were not established in the original update.
See Crème de la Crème's cinnamon roll announcement for the business's description of the new offering.
8. Hastings Farmers Market Plans Halloween Treats October 31
The Hastings Farm Market is adding a Halloween touch to its Saturday, October 31, gathering.
According to the market's announcement, participating vendors plan to distribute treats to children during the market. It's a seasonal addition for families planning a Saturday shopping trip.
The Minnesota Farmers' Market Association listing identifies regular Saturday market hours as 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Readers can also see the market's original Halloween announcement for the planned treats.
9. Anytime Fitness Hastings Begins Halloween Spirit Week
Halloween spirit is heading indoors at Anytime Fitness Hastings, where members are invited to participate in themed activities from Monday, October 26, through Friday, October 30.
The week begins with Pumpkin Day on Monday, followed by themes featuring colors, crazy socks, costumes and Anytime Fitness apparel.
This is a gym-member activity rather than a general public drop-in event.
Members can review the Anytime Fitness Hastings Spirit Week announcement for the schedule and participation details.
10. Hastings Community Education Offers Will-Writing Class October 28
Hastings Community Education is offering an adult-enrichment workshop, Write Your Own Will, on Wednesday, October 28, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Tilden Community Center.
Led by instructor Kristin Davis, the class covers estates and wills using a prepared form, a preclass questionnaire and a witnessing process.
Registration costs $65, or $60 for Senior Center members. Advance registration is required, and space is limited.
The course is designed for relatively straightforward planning situations and is not appropriate for every estate, particularly certain complex family or financial circumstances described by the organizer.
Readers can review the official course details and register through Hastings Community Education.
If You Only Click One
Start with the Coats for Kids distribution details from Hastings Family Service. The October 31 giveaway offers a direct, no-appointment opportunity for families seeking children's winter coats, and sharing the information may help it reach someone who needs it.
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LOCAL 10 is HastingsNow.com's reviewed daily brief, selected for usefulness, timing, local relevance, source diversity and public value.
Inclusion is not paid placement and is never guaranteed. Our goal is to help residents find timely, attributable information that makes everyday life in Hastings a little easier to navigate.
