54th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 17-18)
Downtown Half Moon Bay | Main St., Half Moon Bay, CA
Event Details
54th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 17-18)
Welcome to the World Pumpkin Capital!
The legendary Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival returns October 17 & 18, 2026, transforming historic Main Street into the ultimate celebration of autumn, pumpkins, art, food, music and good old fashioned fun.
Admission is FREE.
The experience begins before you even arrive. Cruise the breathtaking California coast past pumpkin patches, rustic barns, rolling fields and ocean views before arriving in Half Moon Bay, where giant pumpkins, hundreds of artists, live entertainment, incredible food and thousands of pumpkin lovers take over town.
EVENT INFO: hmbpumpkinfest.com
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
• World famous giant pumpkins
• Great Pumpkin Parade
• 250+ artists and makers
• Farmer Mike celebrates 40 years of pumpkin carving
• Four stages of live entertainment
• Pumpkin flavored everything
• Community prepared food benefiting local nonprofits
• Costume and pie eating contests
• Made on the Coast local artists block
• Family attractions and activities
• FREE admission
GIANT PUMPKINS
This is the World Pumpkin Capital, and the pumpkins here live up to the name.
Marvel at colossal Atlantic Giants weighing well over a ton, including the champion pumpkins from the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, displayed throughout festival weekend.
The competition happens Monday, October 12 at the IDES Grounds, where the world’s elite growers battle for $9 per pound and a $30,000 total prize for a new world record.
The Weigh-Off has made history before. Travis Gienger’s staggering 2,749-pound pumpkin shattered the world record here in 2023.
GREAT PUMPKIN PARADE
Saturday at noon, historic Main Street becomes a sea of orange for the beloved Great Pumpkin Parade.
Pumpkin themed floats, marching bands, vintage cars, dancers, costumed characters and community groups make their way through downtown in one of the festival’s most anticipated traditions.
FARMER MIKE: 40 YEARS OF PUMPKIN MAGIC
For 40 years, Farmer Mike, the “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers,” has transformed enormous Atlantic Giant pumpkins into extraordinary works of art at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.
Watch him work live as he turns 300 to 1,500+ pound pumpkins into intricate three dimensional sculptures using the pumpkin’s enormous size, shape and natural character as his canvas.
250+ ARTISTS & MAKERS
Historic Main Street becomes a sprawling outdoor gallery with more than 250 artists and makers showcasing thousands of original handcrafted creations.
Explore painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, textiles, woodworking, leather, wearable art and harvest inspired creations, including the festival’s famous hand blown glass pumpkins.
LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
Four stages keep the soundtrack going all weekend with rock, blues, funk, jazz, Americana and local performers.
The IDES Main Stage, Ritz Carlton South Stage, Cunha’s Country Stage and Safeway Community Stage offer entertainment throughout both days, while the always popular pie eating contests bring another dose of classic festival fun at 2 PM Saturday and Sunday.
PUMPKIN EVERYTHING & COASTSIDE EATS
Pumpkin pancakes. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin cheesecake. Pumpkin ice cream. Pumpkin ravioli. Pumpkin churros. Pumpkin salsa. And that is only the beginning.
Dig into Coastside favorites including Portuguese linguiça, bratwurst, Italian sausage, clam chowder in sourdough bowls, burgers, grilled corn, garlic fries and more.
What makes the food even better? Festival food booths are operated by local nonprofit and community organizations as fundraisers, meaning every bite helps support the Coastside community.
Pair it with Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s Pumpkin Harvest Ale and other craft beers, festival wines, hard cider, seltzers and nonalcoholic options.
The pumpkin season celebration begins early with the new Moonlight Movie Night on Saturday, October 10 at 6 PM in Carter Park.
Gather friends and family under the autumn night sky for a special outdoor screening of “Grow,” a pumpkin themed film and the perfect way to get into the spirit ahead of Weigh-Off and festival week.
Bring a blanket, settle in and kick off ten unforgettable days of pumpkin season in Half Moon Bay.
FAMILY FUN
Bring the whole crew for pumpkin carving, face painting, bungee jumping, Water Ballerz and more.
Saturday morning begins with the annual Costume Contest at 10 AM in front of the Half Moon Bay Library, followed by the Great Pumpkin Parade at noon.
MADE ON THE COAST
On Sunday, discover the creativity of the Coastside at the Made on the Coast local artists block, featuring painters, photographers, jewelers, potters, glassblowers, furniture makers and other artists who call the region home.
MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT
Come early for a pancake breakfast, explore the pumpkin patches and farms surrounding Half Moon Bay, discover historic downtown, visit the coast or lace up Sunday morning for the annual Pumpkin Run benefiting Senior Coastsiders.
For Media Inquiries contact www.megalith.agency
Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.
Cost: FREE*
