Spooky Swing Night at the Wabasha Street Caves: Dance the Night Away This Halloween

There are Halloween events.

And then there’s dancing underneath crystal chandeliers inside historic caves while a 17-piece big band plays swing music.

Minnesota, you have my attention.

If you’re looking for something completely different to do around the Twin Cities this Halloween, Spooky Swing Night at the Wabasha Street Caves might be one of the coolest events happening this October.

On Friday, October 23, 2026, the historic Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul will transform its Promenade Ballroom for Dancing Under the Chandeliers: Spooky Swing Night.

There will be live big-band music.

Swing dancing.

Halloween costumes.

A costume contest.

Cocktails.

Spooky decorations.

And yes, you’ll be partying in a place with its own gangster history and ghost stories.

Honestly, they barely need Halloween decorations.

Here’s everything to know about Spooky Swing Night at the Wabasha Street Caves in 2026.

What Is Spooky Swing Night?

Spooky Swing Night is a special Halloween edition of swing dancing at the Wabasha Street Caves.

The Caves regularly host swing dancing, but on October 23, they’re giving the evening a Halloween makeover.

The historic Promenade Ballroom will be decorated for the season while guests dance underneath the chandeliers to live music performed by the Westwind Swing Band.

And this isn’t three musicians playing recorded backing tracks in the corner.

Westwind is a traditional 17-piece big band.

We’re talking saxophones.

Trumpets.

Trombones.

Rhythm section.

Vocals.

The whole big-band experience.

Add costumes and an underground historic ballroom and suddenly you’re not having a normal Friday night anymore.

When Is Spooky Swing Night 2026?

Mark your calendar for:

Friday, October 23, 2026

The event runs:

6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.

The evening starts with a complimentary swing dance lesson from:

6:30–7 p.m.

Then the Westwind Swing Band takes over from:

7–9 p.m.

There will be open dancing, a Halloween costume contest and a cash bar throughout the evening.

Where Is Spooky Swing Night?

The event takes place at the historic Wabasha Street Caves at:

215 Wabasha Street South
St. Paul, Minnesota

The caves are located across the Mississippi River from downtown St. Paul.

And calling this place “historic” really doesn’t capture the entire story.

The Wabasha Street Caves Have an Incredible History

This is where the location makes the event especially fun.

The Wabasha Street Caves aren’t artificial caves built as a tourist attraction.

They’re carved into the sandstone hillside.

The caves date back to mining operations during the 1800s and were later used for things including mushroom growing.

But things got considerably more interesting during Prohibition.

The caves eventually became home to a restaurant and casino and developed a reputation as a hotspot during St. Paul’s gangster era.

And St. Paul had quite the gangster era.

During the late 1920s and early 1930s, St. Paul became infamous as a haven for criminals, gangsters, bootleggers and bank robbers.

The Caves became part of that history.

Which makes dancing to swing music underneath the chandeliers feel incredibly appropriate.

And Then There Are the Ghost Stories

Of course there are ghost stories.

Would we really be writing about this place for Halloween if there weren’t?

According to the stories surrounding the Wabasha Street Caves, an unsolved gangland murder occurred at the casino during the gangster era.

Tour guides even point out what are believed to be bullet holes associated with the incident.

And over the years, stories have circulated about paranormal activity inside the caves.

Some people believe the spirits of murdered gangsters still haunt the property.

Whether you believe the ghost stories is entirely up to you.

But I’ll tell you this:

If I’m dancing in an underground ballroom in October and somebody taps me on the shoulder when no one is standing there…

I’m done dancing.

You Don’t Need to Know How to Swing Dance

This might be the most important thing to know if you’re reading this thinking:

“That sounds amazing, but I cannot swing dance.”

That’s okay.

You don’t need experience.

Spooky Swing Night begins with a complimentary swing dance lesson led by Dancers Studio.

The lesson runs from 6:30 to 7 p.m.

It’s specifically designed to help beginners get comfortable before the live music begins.

So don’t skip the event because you’ve never taken a dance class.

Everyone has a first swing dance.

Yours might as well happen in a possibly haunted cave.

The Westwind Swing Band Provides the Music

At 7 p.m., the Westwind Swing Band begins playing.

The Twin Cities-based group specializes in preserving and performing music from the Swing Era and similar styles.

Their repertoire includes music associated with legendary bandleaders such as:

Benny Goodman
Glenn Miller
Duke Ellington
Artie Shaw

If you’re imagining that classic 1930s and 1940s big-band ballroom sound, you’ve got the idea.

Westwind regularly performs swing nights at the Wabasha Street Caves, so this isn’t a band showing up at an unfamiliar venue for one Halloween event.

They know this room.

And this room was practically made for this kind of music.

Dance Under the Chandeliers

There’s something wonderfully old-school about this event.

You’re not going to a nightclub.

You’re not going to a DJ party.

You’re walking into the historic Promenade Ballroom and dancing underneath chandeliers while a live big band plays.

Then add:

Halloween decorations.

Costumes.

Historic caves.

Gangster stories.

Potential ghosts.

Suddenly the atmosphere is unlike almost anything else happening around the Twin Cities that weekend.

Costumes Are Encouraged

Yes!

You can dress up.

In fact, there’s a Halloween costume contest with prizes during the evening.

Costumes are encouraged but not required.

This could be really fun if you lean into the setting.

Think:

1920s flapper.

1930s gangster.

Old Hollywood.

Vintage witch.

Classic vampire.

Film noir.

Glamorous ghost.

Or go completely unrelated and show up dressed as a giant chicken.

Halloween has no rules.

This Is Practically Begging for a Vintage Costume

If there were ever a Halloween event where I would build my costume around the venue, this is it.

The Wabasha Street Caves already have that gangster-era atmosphere.

Then you have a big band playing swing music.

A vintage-inspired costume would look fantastic in photos.

For couples, you could coordinate your costumes.

Gangster and flapper.

Old Hollywood movie stars.

Bonnie and Clyde.

Vintage vampires.

Or simply dress up in 1940s-inspired clothing without making it an actual costume.

You could turn the entire evening into a themed Halloween date.

There’s a Cash Bar

A cash bar will be available throughout the evening.

That means you can grab a drink between dances and enjoy the atmosphere even if you don’t plan to spend the entire night on the dance floor.

Honestly, I think this is an important point.

You don’t have to be an obsessive swing dancer to enjoy Spooky Swing Night.

You can dance.

You can listen to the band.

You can admire the costumes.

You can have a cocktail.

You can people-watch.

You can soak up the historic atmosphere.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the evening.

This Could Be an Amazing Halloween Date Night

If you’re tired of the same dinner-and-a-movie date, here you go.

Start with dinner somewhere in St. Paul.

Then head to the Wabasha Street Caves.

Take the complimentary dance lesson together.

Have a cocktail.

Listen to a live big band.

Dance underneath the chandeliers.

And maybe spend the rest of the evening arguing about whether or not the caves are actually haunted.

That’s a date you’ll remember.

It Would Also Be a Great Girls’ Night

This doesn’t have to be a couples event.

Grab your friends.

Pick a costume theme.

Get dressed up.

Take the dance lesson together.

And make a night out of it.

There’s something wonderfully ridiculous about getting several friends together and deciding:

We’re going swing dancing in a cave for Halloween.

Those are exactly the plans I want my friends making.

Do You Have to Wear a Costume?

No.

Costumes are encouraged, but they aren’t required.

So if dressing up isn’t your thing, don’t let that stop you from attending.

You can simply dress for a night of dancing.

Or add one small Halloween touch.

Black dress.

Red lipstick.

Fun earrings.

Vintage hairstyle.

Halloween accessories.

You don’t have to arrive looking like you spent six months competing on a costume-design reality show.

Wear Shoes You Can Actually Dance In

This is where practicality needs to win.

Yes, those giant platform Halloween boots look fantastic.

No, you probably don’t want to swing dance in them for two hours.

Wear comfortable shoes that will stay securely on your feet.

If your costume involves elaborate footwear, consider bringing a second pair of shoes for dancing.

Your feet will thank you.

Possibly your dance partner too.

Is Spooky Swing Night Scary?

No.

This is not a haunted-house experience.

No one is chasing you through the caves.

There aren’t monsters hiding around corners.

The “spooky” part comes from the Halloween décor, costumes, historic location and the stories surrounding the caves.

That makes it a fantastic alternative for people who love Halloween but hate haunted houses.

You still get the atmosphere.

You still get costumes.

You still get a night out.

You just don’t have to pay someone to jump out from behind a wall and scream directly into your face.

This Is a Completely Different Halloween Experience

That’s what makes Spooky Swing Night stand out.

Think about the typical Halloween event.

Pumpkin patch.

Corn maze.

Haunted house.

Hayride.

Costume party.

All fun.

But how often do you get invited to a Halloween swing dance inside a historic gangster-era cave?

Exactly.

This is the kind of local event that reminds me why exploring your own city can be so much fun.

Sometimes the coolest experiences aren’t the giant attractions everyone already knows about.

They’re the weird little things happening in historic places right in your backyard.

Could the Wabasha Street Caves Actually Be Haunted?

That’s a question you’ll have to answer for yourself.

The Caves certainly have enough history to inspire plenty of stories.

There have long been tales of paranormal activity associated with the property.

Some visitors and staff have reported unexplained experiences.

And the gangster history gives those stories an extra layer of intrigue.

If you’re fascinated by the paranormal, you may want to return another day for one of the Caves’ historical or ghost-focused tours.

For Spooky Swing Night, however, the ghosts are not officially part of the entertainment.

If one decides to join you for a dance, that’s between you and him.

What Should You Bring?

You don’t need much for this one.

I’d bring:

Comfortable dancing shoes
Your costume, if you’re dressing up
A payment method for the cash bar and other purchases
Your phone for pictures
A light jacket for the October weather
Your sense of humor
Someone willing to dance with you

And remember that you’re attending an active dance event.

Keep enormous costume props and anything difficult to maneuver around other dancers at home.

Who Would Love Spooky Swing Night?

I’d especially recommend this event for:

Couples looking for a unique date night

Dinner and dancing in a historic cave is considerably more memorable than another trip to the movie theater.

Friend groups

Coordinate costumes and make an entire night of it.

History lovers

The Wabasha Street Caves are fascinating even before you add the Halloween theme.

Music lovers

Hearing a 17-piece swing band in a historic ballroom is an experience in itself.

People who love Halloween but hate haunted houses

You get spooky atmosphere without the jump scares.

Anyone who wants something different

This may be one of the most unusual Halloween events happening in St. Paul this year.

Make a Whole St. Paul Halloween Night Out of It

Because Spooky Swing Night doesn’t begin until 6:30 p.m., you could easily make an entire evening out of your trip to St. Paul.

Have an early dinner.

Explore downtown.

Take some Halloween pictures.

Then head to the Caves for dancing.

If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or simply want an excuse to dress up, this would make a fantastic October night out.

Spooky Swing Night vs. a Haunted House

These two experiences couldn’t be more different.

At a haunted house, you’re trying to escape whatever is chasing you.

At Spooky Swing Night, you’re voluntarily dancing with strangers.

Depending on your personality, one of those may actually sound more frightening.

But Spooky Swing Night is ideal if you want Halloween atmosphere without intense scares.

It’s social.

It’s musical.

It’s historic.

It’s a little glamorous.

And it’s wonderfully weird.

Add Spooky Swing Night to Your Minnesota Halloween Bucket List

Minnesota has no shortage of Halloween attractions.

You can walk through thousands of glowing pumpkins at the Minnesota Zoo.

You can ride roller coasters in the dark at ValleyScare.

You can brave Scream Town and The Abandoned Hayride.

You can explore spooky plants at Como Conservatory.

Or…

You can put on a costume and spend Friday night swing dancing underneath chandeliers in a historic St. Paul cave.

Personally, I love that we don’t have to choose just one.

Is Spooky Swing Night at the Wabasha Street Caves Worth It?

If you want a Halloween experience that’s completely different from the usual haunted houses and pumpkin patches, absolutely.

The combination of live music, dancing, costumes and St. Paul’s gangster history gives Spooky Swing Night an atmosphere you aren’t going to find at a typical Halloween event.

And because beginners can start the night with a complimentary swing lesson, you don’t need to know what you’re doing before you arrive.

You just need to be willing to try.

Dance the Night Away This Halloween

On Friday, October 23, 2026, the Wabasha Street Caves will turn into an underground Halloween ballroom for one night.

Take a swing lesson.

Listen to a 17-piece big band.

Wear a fabulous costume.

Enter the costume contest.