How better to celebrate all things pumpkin than a pumpkin festival?!

Featuring festive pumpkin-themed events like parades, giant pumpkin weigh-offs, crafts, displays, carving contests, and just about every other pumpkin-themed event and contest you can think of, there might not be any better way to celebrate autumn than by attending one of these 2024 pumpkin festivals.

I researched the names, dates, places, and details of over 35 pumpkin festivals (2024) in the United States and beyond. If you have any to add, please leave details in the comments below, and I’ll add them!

Giant pumpkins are carved into boats for a pumpkin regatta race. Five contestants paddle in their pumpkin boats.
Utah Great Pumpkin Regatta

(By the way, I learned something new while researching all of the pumpkin festivals in the U.S., Canada, and worldwide. Apparently, some pumpkin festivals include something called the pumpkin regatta: Where people take a giant pumpkin, hollow it out, decorate it, and set sail in it as a boat! How cool [and crazy] is that?!)

Pumpkin Festival Locations

Australia

Contestants participate in the pumpkin roll event in Goomeri, Australia.
Goomeri, Australia pumpkin roll

Canada

Nova Scotia

Ontario

Germany

A giant squirrel made out of pumpkins at a German pumpkin festival.
Ludwigsberg, Germany pumpkin exhibition

United States

Alabama

  • Prattville / Parade of Pumpkins
    • October 18-31, 2024
    • Decorated storefronts, pumpkin contest, food trucks, pumpkin trails (walks lined with illuminated pumpkins)

Alaska

  • Homer / Fall Festival
    • Saturday, October 26, 2024
    • Zombie run, pumpkin carving contest, food, photo booth, pet costume contest

Arkansas

  • Fayetteville / Falltoberfest
    • Sunday, September 29, 2024
    • Music, pumpkin races, vendors

California

A sign for the Half Moon Bay pumpkin festival.
Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

Colorado

  • Colorado Springs / Pumpkins in the Park
    • Saturday, October 19, 2024
    • Music, pumpkin painting, balloon animals, scarecrows

Connecticut

Georgia

Idaho

  • Pocatello / The Great Pumpkin Festival
    • October 5, 2024
    • Farmer’s market, face painting, pie baking contest, pumpkin carving contest, food, music

Illinois

  • Highwood / The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival
    • October 4-6, 2024
    • Music, pumpkin carving, food, hay rides, trick or treating, lighted pumpkin wall, pumpkin pie eating contest, costume contest, festival rides,
  • Morton / Morton Pumpkin Festival
    • September 11-14, 2024
    • Tennis open, fishing derby, pumpkin pedal, decorating contest, pumpkin weigh-off, big wheel race, carnival rides, food and drinks, parade, entertainment, pancake breakfast, pumpkin classic run, pumpkin pie eating contest
  • Sycamore / Sycamore Pumpkin Festival
    • October 23-27, 2024
    • Parade, pumpkin display, carnival, crafts, games, food, pancake breakfast, music, fun run

Maine

  • Damariscotta / Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta
    • October 12-14, 2024
    • Pumpkin weigh-off, art, pumpkin boats and pumpkin boat regatta, kid zone, dessert contest, parade, pumpkin hunt, pie eating contest, movie viewing

Missouri

  • Hartsburg / Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival
    • October 12 & 13, 2024
    • Pumpkin royalty, parade, magic show, pumpkin painting and carving, pumpkin pie eating contest, hayrides

New Hampshire

  • Laconia / New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival
    • Beginning October 22, 2024
    • Fun run, train rides, food, corn hole, boat rides, pumpkin displays, crafts, costume parade, pie eating contest, costume contest, pumpkin carving, pancake breakfast,

New York

Lit-up jack-o-lantern display at night
Croton-on-Hudson Annual Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

North Carolina

Ohio

  • Barnesville / Barnesville Pumpkin Festival
    • September 26-29, 2024
    • Pumpkin weigh-off, parade, car show, 5k run, food, music and other entertainment
  • Circleville / Circleville Pumpkin Show
    • October 16-19, 2024
    • Amusement park rides, food, parades, decorated golf cart contest, music, country line dancing, pumpkin carving, big wheel race, pumpkin pie eating contest
  • Hamilton / Operation Pumpkin Festival
    • October 11-13, 2024
    • Giant pumpkins, live entertainment, pet parade, costumes, pumpkin weigh-off, over 100 art & food vendors
A giant pumpkin is displayed with a crown on it during the Circleville, Ohio pumpkin festival.
Circleville, Ohio Pumpkin Festival

Oregon

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Tualatin, Oregon
  • Tualatin / West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
    • Sunday, October 20, 2024
    • Pumpkin boat races, giant pumpkin contest, regatta run, food, entertainment, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf

Pennsylvania

  • Chadds Ford / The Great Pumpkin Carve
    • October 17-29, 2024
    • Giant pumpkin carving and display, raffle prizes, food, drink, music
  • Houston / Houston Pumpkin Festival
    • October 11-13, 2024
    • Food and craft vendors, children’s games and activities, parade, pumpkin pie eating contest, scarecrow contest
A carved pumpkin monster at Chadd's Ford Great Pumpkin Carve contest
Chadd’s Ford Great Pumpkin Carve

Texas

  • Dallas / Autumn at the Arboretum
    • Sept. 21-Nov. 3, 2024
    • Epic displays featuring over 100,000 pumpkins and squash
  • Paris / Festival of Pumpkins
    • Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024
    • Music, vendors, costume contest, pumpkin decorating

Utah

Washington

Wisconsin

  • Altoona / River Prairie Ginormous Pumpkin Festival
    • Sunday, September 28, 2024
    • Run, dessert contest, pumpkin weigh-off, costume contest (for humans and dogs), pumpkin races, rubber ducky race, apple slingshot, pumpkin decorating, ginormous pumpkin drop
  • Egg Harbor / Pumpkin Patch Festival
    • October 12-13, 2024
    • Live music, carnival rides, arts and crafts, pumpkin and scarecrow displays

* Most images displayed on license from Shutterstock.com

Did I miss any pumpkin festivals for 2024? Please let me know in the comments below!

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