If you’re searching for the best pumpkin festivals USA travelers obsess over each fall, you’ve hit the jackpot. From record-breaking gourds to spooky seasonal celebrations, these autumn events deliver serious pumpkin worship, Instagram-worthy photo ops, and enough cider to float a small boat.
Top Pumpkin Festivals Across the USA
Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival – Half Moon Bay, California
For fifty years, this coastal gem has been showing off car-sized pumpkins that’ll make your jaw drop. We’re talking record-setting gourds weighing over a ton—perfect for those “proof or it didn’t happen” photos. Beyond the monster pumpkins, enjoy a full weekend of folksy fun including parades, carving contests, and pie-eating battles. Half Moon Bay Brewing Company keeps the adults happy with craft beverages, and San Francisco is just a short drive away for bonus adventures.
Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Festival – Cresthill, Illinois
This forty-acre wonderland delivers everything from paintball games to classic hayrides and serious pumpkin-picking action. Don’t sleep on their old-timey home-brewed sodas—the sarsaparilla alone is worth the trip.
Spirit of Halloweentown – St. Helens, Oregon
Possibly the country’s most delightfully weird October festival. When Disney filmed “Halloweentown” here in the ’90s, this town said “we’re never letting this go” and honestly? Good for them. Every October, St. Helens transforms into the movie set for a month-long celebration complete with a giant pumpkin lighting ceremony.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular – Providence, Rhode Island
Head to Providence, Rhode Island, where the Roger Williams Park Zoo goes absolutely wild with thousands of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns that’ll leave you speechless. Over 100,000 people flock here annually for the perfect combo of zoo animals, illuminated pumpkin art, and zip line thrills. Check their calendar for themed nights like Super Hero Night and Video Game Night—they even offer sensory-friendly events.
The Great Jack-o-Lantern Blaze – Croton-on-Hudson, New York
Van Cortlandt Manor becomes a pumpkin paradise with thousands of carved jack-o-lanterns and an impossibly whimsical pumpkin carousel. Organizers lean hard into their “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” connection, so keep your eyes peeled for a certain headless horseman.
Craven Farm’s Fall Festival – Snohomish, Washington
This family-friendly extravaganza brings Disney princess meet-and-greets, corn mazes, rubber duck races, and all the apple cider donuts your heart desires. The pumpkin and apple slingers let you launch vegetables into nearby fields (because why not?), and hot air balloon rides offer stunning farm views with Seattle skyline glimpses on clear days.
Ready for Your Fall Adventure?
Whether you’re craving record-breaking gourds, jack-o-lantern magic, or just an excuse to drink way too much cider, these are truly the best pumpkin festivals USA has to offer. Ready to plan your autumn getaway?
FAQ
What is the biggest pumpkin festival in the USA?
Half Moon Bay’s Art and Pumpkin Festival takes the crown with its massive, record-breaking pumpkins and 50-year legacy.
What month are most pumpkin festivals?
October dominates the pumpkin festival scene, though some festivals start in late September and run into early November.
Where can I see giant pumpkins?
Half Moon Bay, California showcases the most impressive giant pumpkins, with specimens regularly weighing over a ton.