Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Life
  3. Travel
  4. The Best Pumpkin Festivals to Visit This Fall

The Best Pumpkin Festivals to Visit This Fall

By Zee Krstic July 12, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Pin
pumpkin farm entry sign employee on ladder
Credit: Photo courtesy of Brandy Lauer Photography
Celebrate the season with the whole family by visiting a regional festivals where pumpkins abound, food is aplenty, and adventures are all but guaranteed.
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
pumpkin patch field
Credit: Ken Stanback / Getty Images

There's so much to do when fall finally rolls around—long walks outside in the crisp temperatures, weekend excursions to exciting destinations, and plenty of sightseeing when the foliage is at its peak. At the very top of everyone's list for late September and October, however, is finding magical pumpkins to carve with friends and family and setting up unique seasonal décor in the weeks leading up to Halloween. What better way to find a pumpkin than heading to a festival filled with food, fun, and local arts and crafts?

You'd be hard pressed to find a community that doesn't celebrate cooler temps with some sort of autumnal celebration, but many suburban towns and coastal cities go all-out hosting festivals dedicated to all things fall, complete with pumpkin patches that are ripe for the picking. Whether you have been traveling to the same pumpkin patch for decades or if you're looking to start a new tradition this year, we've rounded up the best pumpkin festivals where you can get a taste of sweet fall treats, purview local culture and arts, and purchase unique decorative pumpkins and gourds for your home.

Some of the most celebrated fall festivals are scattered throughout New England, where cascading fall leaves of all colors serve as a backdrop to festivals that span entire cities. In Maine, there are almost too many festivals to choose from—you'll find that the entire coastal city of Portland participates in Harvest on the Harbor, which lasts an entire weekend, whereas residents of sleepy Damariscotta actually bring their celebrations out onto the water with a regatta. Plus, many fall enthusiasts will agree that New Hampshire's Pumpkin Festival in Laconia, complete with its signature wall of pumpkins, is the nation's most recognizable autumnal celebration of all time. But you can find pumpkin patches alive and well even in the balmy suburbs of Miami, Florida. From sprawling farms to city streets and everything in between, these fall festivals will inspire you to get excited for Halloween and changing seasons on the way.

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Snohomish, Washington

pumpkin farm entry sign employee on ladder
Credit: Photo courtesy of Brandy Lauer Photography

Craven Farm's fall festival brings a modern touch to an otherwise honored American tradition—kids will love snacking on kettle corn while watching a 3D adventure in an open barn adjacent to a sprawling pumpkin patch. If you're feeling extra adventurous, Craven Farm is located in close proximity to hot air balloon operators, who would be all too happy to give you a lift over the beautiful fall foliage in the surrounding hills.

2 of 15

3 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Half Moon Bay, California

art and pumpkin festival parade float
Credit: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

With a name like Half Moon Bay, could you imagine a better locale for a fall festival? This coastal community comes together when breezy temperatures drop in October to ogle over some seriously fine pumpkin specimens. The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, nearly 50 years old, holds a contest where contenders weight their pumpkins to see which one comes out on top—last year's winner weighed a whopping 2,300 pounds. Plus, expect live music, entertainment, family-friendly parades, and plenty of savory treats to boot.

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dallas, Texas

pumpkin gourd exhibition
Credit: Courtesy of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Blog

Fall brings beautifully temperate temps to Dallas, when Texans are proud to put on the Autumn at the Arboretum event at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The center's horticulturalists work tirelessly to create a "pumpkin village" in the heart of the Lone Star State, where more than 90,000 gourds and pumpkins adorn the gardens for all to see. The festival usually lasts for more than eight weeks, where visitors will be treated to themed exhibitions across the grounds and multiple events for everyone in the family, from trivia to Halloween mazes and live music.

4 of 15

5 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Wichita, Kansas

pumpkins placed on hay bales along flower field
Credit: Annabelle Breakey / Getty Images

In the suburb of Burns, Kansas, Walters' Pumpkinfest really takes the theme to heart—visitors can sample pumpkin soup, chili, and salsas upon walking into the farm's gift shop, and there are plenty of plump specimens to pick out. But little ones may have the most fun using the "Punkin Chunkin," which is the farm's slingshot that is used to send less-than-perfect specimens flying across the sky towards a life-sized target.

5 of 15

6 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cresthill, Illinois

pumpkin patch photo booth mom daughter
Credit: Courtesy of Siegel's Cottonwood Farm

For those living in Chicago, celebrating fall on a sprawling pumpkin patch is as easy as heading to Siegel's Cottonwood Farm, which is located on 40 acres of land just about an hour outside of the city. During Pumpkin Fest, which runs from late September through Halloween, kids can enjoy a fun zipline over a sea of pumpkins at the farm's self-pick patch, and the whole family can get in on a hay-filled truck ride around the premises.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Damariscotta, Maine

Massive Pumpkin at Pumpkinfest
Credit: Courtesy of Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta

Further north than Portland, the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta is more focused on pumpkins than anything else. In fact, local residents are handed free pumpkin seedlings early in the summer, and by the first week of October, you can't seem to walk a few steps in any direction without bumping into some seriously large gourds. There's a weigh-off competition with a cash reward at Pumpkinfest, but all of the second-class pumpkins are hollowed out and used in a hilarious "Pumpkinboat Regatta" that coincides with the end of the festival; racers paddle along the coast of Maine to much applause.

7 of 15

8 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Laconia, New Hampshire

jack-o-lantern pumpkin festival display
Credit: Rob Clifford Photography via Lakes Region Chamber

Considered by many to be one of the most successful pumpkin festivals, the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival has broken the world record almost ten times since 1992 for having the most (lit) jack-o'-lanterns in one place at one time—upwards of 30,000, to be exact. There's plenty of crafts and food to be sampled, but many families sign up for the festival's 5K and 10K races, which takes place throughout October.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Stowe, Vermont

kids chucking pumpkins into lake
Credit: Jeffrey Phelps

Nestled in the heart of Vermont, where fall foliage is all but guaranteed, the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin Festival is exactly what it sounds like—a one-day extravaganza where everyone is invited to launch pumpkins clear across the sky. Held on a Sunday in late September or early October, there's three rounds of competition where visitors can win prizes, plus live music, plenty of eats, and plenty of other activities held at the Stoweflake Mountain Resort and Spa.

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Providence, Rhode Island

jack-o-lantern night display pumpkin festival
Credit: Missy Wade for Roger Williams Park Zoo

For more than 30 years, the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence plays host to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, which is a hybrid art show and festival peppered with more than 5,000 carved pumpkins. These lanterns are exquisitely crafted, and each year presents a different theme, which is why more than 115,000 visitors flock to the Zoo every year, according to its website. This year, each of the four season will be represented in trails of pumpkins that will be on display from early October through the first weekend of November.

10 of 15

11 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Clarence, New York

A Pumpkin Hut at the Great Pumpkin Festival
Credit: Courtesy of The Great Pumpkin Farm

An annual celebration that began more than 20 years ago, the Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival is one of New York's largest fall celebrations. There's plenty of rides, entertainment, and food to sample, with local artisans selling their wares across the fairgrounds. Visitors often come for the sprawling pumpkin patch and five-acre corn maze, which opens in early September and closes just after Halloween.

11 of 15

12 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Croton on Hudson, New York

Pumpkin Display at Blaze on Croton on Hudson New York
Credit: AFP Contributor/Getty

The Hudson Valley is already considered a spooky location around Halloween—think of Sleepy Hollow—which is why the grounds of the Van Cortlandt Manor is perfect for a major jack-o'-lantern display. Known as the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, volunteers carve more than 7,000 pumpkins to place on the grounds of the 18th-century manor, which hosts visitors nights only on weekends in September, October, and November.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Miami, Florida

pumpkin patch festival photo set chair
Credit: Photography courtesy of Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival

Maybe because it's situated in one of the most tropical urban areas in the United States, the Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch Festival offers more than just thousands of pumpkins. There's a carnival-like atmosphere here, where you can hop on bumper cars and a pirate's ship before heading to a corn maze and finishing the night with Oktoberfest beers on tap. Floridians flock to this small taste of fall in the heart of the tropics over the course of a weekend in late October.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

St. Helens, Oregon

large lighted jack-o-lantern display
Credit: Spirit of Halloweentown via Instagram

If you're a Disney fan, you'll be thrilled to hear that the residents of St. Helens actually recreated scenes straight out of Halloweentown in their Spirit of Halloweentown festival. The movie was mostly filmed in this location in 1998, and you can relive its best moments by attending masquerade balls, haunted tractor rides, and the giant pumpkin lighting in the town's square every October; the festival lasts all month long.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Harpersville, Alabama

Kids Sitting on a Pumpkin Truck
Credit: Courtesy of Old Baker Farm

A largely intact homestead farm in the heart of Alabama that survived the Civil War, the Old Baker Farm opens its gates to the public in September and October to showcase its massive pumpkin patch. Pumpkin lovers are shepherd into a hayride over to pumpkin fields where they can pick their own specimen—but they're also treated to farm animals and cotton fields, Civil War reenactments, and family games as well as a corn maze.

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Zee Krstic

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 15
    2 of 15 Snohomish, Washington
    3 of 15 Half Moon Bay, California
    4 of 15 Dallas, Texas
    5 of 15 Wichita, Kansas
    6 of 15 Cresthill, Illinois
    7 of 15 Damariscotta, Maine
    8 of 15 Laconia, New Hampshire
    9 of 15 Stowe, Vermont
    10 of 15 Providence, Rhode Island
    11 of 15 Clarence, New York
    12 of 15 Croton on Hudson, New York
    13 of 15 Miami, Florida
    14 of 15 St. Helens, Oregon
    15 of 15 Harpersville, Alabama

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    The Best Pumpkin Festivals to Visit This Fall
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.