Best Pumpkin Festivals in America

One of my favorite things to do in October is to attend one of the best pumpkin festivals in America. It is exciting to see all the creatively carved jack-o-lanterns showcased in surprisingly fun ways complete with fall food and festival activities. Here is my list of the best pumpkin festivals in America in 2021:

Great Jack o’ Lantern Blaze (Hudson Valley and Long Island, NY) runs from 9/17 – 11/21. Attendees will delight in seeing more than 7,000 amazingly sculpted pumpkins creatively arranged and with a sound track and light show! In Hudson Valley, the great blaze will be held at Van Cortlandt Manor (doesn’t that sound like the perfect setting for a Halloween movie?), which is an 18th century estate. This is a spectacular pumpkin show! We’re talking about a lighthouse made out of pumpkins (yes, it lights up), a headless horseman crossing, and a carousel made out of pumpkins (and yes, it goes around and around). Absolutely fabulous! Click on the link above to go to the website where you can watch a sneak peak trailer of the show.
Pony Express PumpkinFest (St. Joseph, MO) on 10/8-10 features more than 500 spectacularly carved jack-o-lanterns that create Pumpkin Mountain, plus a children’s costume parade, carnival rides, arts and crafts, games, food, entertainment (magic act, storytelling, and a band), a children’s tent, and more.
Haunt o’ Ween (Woodland Hills (L.A.), CA) is being held 10/1-31. This event offers pumpkin hunting, costumed actors, Party Lane, Town of Hauntoween, and more! This is a 150,000-square-foot, family-friendly immersive experience, including Halloween themed tunnels, trick or treating in the Town of Hauntoween, a carousel, face painting, pumpkin picking and carving, entertainment, games, wine tasting garden, food trucks, and 35,000 pumpkins on display!
Night of 1,000 Jack o’ Lanterns (Glencoe, IL) is always held at the Chicago Botanic Garden. It features giant pumpkins (some 150 lbs. or more) that are intricately carved and specially displayed along a winding path through the garden. There will also be costumed entertainers, pumpkin carving demonstrations, and yummy seasonal food and drink. The event is 10/13-17 and 10/20-24.
Louisville Jack o’ Lantern Spectacular has been voted the Region’s Best Halloween Event (Louisville, KY) will be going on from 9/30 – 10/31. Beginning at dusk, visitors can follow the trail inside Iroquois Park highlighting 5,000+ beautifully carved pumpkins. Refreshments are available.

*Be sure to check out the websites to find out more on Covid protocols for 2021. I also recommend buying tickets in advance for these popular events.*