11 Must-Visit Pumpkin Festivals Across the U.S.
Fall means pumpkin season! Technically a fruit, pumpkin falls into the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes cucumber, melon and squash. Long before modern-day pumpkin trends dominating all things food, decor and more, pumpkin festivals have been celebrated across the country. Today, these unique pumpkin festivals continue to be savored nationwide, and each serves up plenty of seasonal fall fun.
See more: 27 Pumpkin Recipes to Make This Fall
1. Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival and Weigh-Off
Allardt, Tennessee
The heaviest pumpkin weighed at the Allardt Pumpkin Festival in Tennessee was 1,846.6 pounds, a state record set by Jason Terry in 2023! Aside from pumpkins, growers partake in heavyweight competitions for watermelons and green squash. Now in its 34th year, this festival also features pumpkin pie-eating challenges, pumpkin-themed races (10K, 5K and 1-miler fun run), an antique auto show, a tracker show, a children’s costume contest and a parade.
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2. Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
Damariscotta, Maine
New Englanders know how to have a pumpkin party. In Damariscotta, Pumpkinfest features a packed schedule of events, including a parade, a weigh-off, a pumpkin pancake breakfast and a pumpkin drop. Fan favorites include the pumpkin derby (pumpkin cars on wheels) and pumpkin regatta (huge pumpkins carved into water vessels). With extra flavor and flair, this occasion is something to be savored!
See more: Pumpkin Carving Tips for Gorgeous Gourds
3. Circleville Pumpkin Show
Circleville, Ohio
Known as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” Circleville’s celebration is credited with having the deepest roots as it held the first-ever pumpkin festival. In 1903, Mayor George R. Haswell hosted a small pumpkin exhibit and the annual tradition bloomed. Today, the Circleville Pumpkin Show spans nine city blocks and attracts upwards of 400,000 pumpkin enthusiasts.
Ranked the sixth-largest festival in the U.S., this longstanding seasonal event features giant pumpkins (with a weigh-off competition vying for the coveted Giant Pumpkin Trophy), multiple parades, entertainment, rides, crafts, pumpkin-flavored fare and contests like the Miss & Little Miss Pumpkin Show.
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4. Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
Half Moon Bay, California
When it comes to pumpkin festivals, Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival takes the cake … or should we say pie (pumpkin-flavored, of course). This California celebration includes a pumpkin patch, a giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin carving, pumpkin pie-eating contests and pumpkin art, including Half Moon Bay’s Great Pumpkin, a majestic 5-ton mosaic sculpture by artist Peter Hazel. Plus, this pumpkin festival features popular pumpkin personalities, including “Farmer Mike,” a skilled carver known as Pumpkin Picasso, and “Gourdy,” the festival’s playful mascot.
5. The Great Pumpkin Carve
Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
At this three-day affair, 70 local artists gather to turn massive pumpkins into masterpieces of art. From complex haunted houses to fanciful faces and beyond, these intricate carvings are illuminated at night, presenting a glowing gourd gallery under the stars (with or without a full moon). The Great Pumpkin Carve also has hayrides, autumn delicacies and tons of carnival-style amusement.
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6. Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival
Laurelville, Ohio
Pumpkins aren’t just carved in Ohio … they’re beautifully blown. You see, talented glassblowers create and display dazzling glass pumpkins in every color imaginable at this yearly jubilee. It’s equal parts art show and fall celebration, where you can snag a masterpiece pumpkin souvenir that’ll last forever (and without the worry of turning to mush).
The Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival also features a vast line-up of vendors, musicians and the live carving creation of Gus ‘Squashcarver’ Smithhisler, a nationally recognized giant pumpkin carver.
7. Laconia Pumpkin Festival
Laconia, New Hampshire
The star of this pumpkin festival is the grand lit jack-o’-lantern tower, comprised of a record-breaking number of glowing gourds all positioned in one place. During the Laconia Pumpkin Festival, the downtown district transforms into a pumpkin paradise, complete with parades, vendor booths, delicious iconic treats, games and so much more.
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8. Morton Pumpkin Festival
Morton, Illinois
Home to Libby’s pumpkin processing plant (the brand behind the go-to can of pumpkin pie filling), Morton, Illinois, is known as The Pumpkin Capital of the World.
Perhaps in an attempt to burn off excess calories consumed from an array of pumpkin goodies, the Morton Pumpkin Festival kicks off with several action-packed happenings, like a tennis open, fishing derby, bike ride, pickleball and running race. And the pumpkin pastimes don’t stop there. The Morton Pumpkin Festival also includes the Pumpkin Princess Pageant, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin-themed bingo, pie-eating contests, parades and rides.
9. The Great Jack-O’-Lantern Blaze
Croton-on-Hudson, New York
The Blaze is far from a standard pumpkin patch. This Halloween-themed extravaganza features over 7,000 illuminated hand-carved pumpkins. These elaborate jack-o’-lanterns take shape as pumpkin carousels, pumpkin tunnels and pumpkin monsters galore. Set against the historic backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor, it’s as spooky as it is spectacular.
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10. West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
Tualatin, Oregon
You won’t see tractors hauling pumpkins at this legendary spectacle. Rather, the pumpkins are doing the hauling. At the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, creative contestants carve out enormous pumpkins, climb inside the hollowed pumpkins and paddle across the Tualatin Commons Lake. This pumpkin boat race is strategic and silly, sans spookiness. Costumes are encouraged, making the hilarious parade double as a Halloween procession. The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta celebration also includes the Regatta 5K Run, entertainment and family-friendly activities.
11. Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
Stowe, Vermont
To fully throw yourself into the season, head to Stowe. At the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival, catapults, trebuchets and slingshots launch pumpkins through the crisp autumn air in delightfully destructive rivalry. Families gather to see whose contraption can chuck pumpkins the farthest, while enjoying live music, food truck fare and many chuckles. It’s a smashing good time (literally).