53rd Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 18-19)
EVENT UPDATE: There are no upcoming events known for this event series - please check the organizer website for any updates.
On the picturesque coast around Half Moon Bay, the stunning geography and autumnal beauty create a breathtaking sight to behold. The journey offers its own reward, with stunning views of seaside farmland, expansive fields of orange, whimsical scarecrows, rustic barns, and inviting pumpkin patches for picking. It’s the perfect moment and place to savor the simple beauty and abundance of fall, and Half Moon Bay celebrates the season like no other.
The world-famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is the season’s signature event, drawing hordes of visitors to the “World Pumpkin Capital” for an epic festival on historic Main Street. This year’s 53rd annual festival will be held on October 18-19, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
53rd Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 18-19, 2025 | 9am-5pm both days
Main Street, between Mill and Spruce Streets, Half Moon Bay, CA
FREE2025 EVENTS SCHEDULE
Sunday, October 12
- 5 p.m. – Growers VIP Welcome Party and Media Preview for the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
Cameron’s Inn, 1410 S. Cabrillo HighwayMonday, October 13
- 7 a.m. – Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street- 11:30 a.m. – Growers Awards Luncheon
IDES HallSaturday, October 18
- 7 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast
City Hall Lot, Main St. @ Kelly Ave.
Tickets will be available here prior to the event.- 9 a.m. – Festival Opens
- 10 a.m. – Costume Contest
Half Moon Bay Library, Church & Correas Streets- 12 noon – Great Pumpkin Parade
- 2 p.m. – Pie Eating Contest (age 11 and under)
Bank of America lot- 2:15 p.m. – Pie Eating Contest (age 12 and over)
Bank of America lot- 5 p.m. – Festival Closes
Sunday, October 19
- 7 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast
City Hall Lot, Main St. @ Kelly Ave.
Tickets will be available here prior to the event.- Various start times from 7:15–8:20 a.m. – 46th Annual Pumpkin Run by Senior Coastsiders
In-Person Events: Kid’s Fun Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon
Start/Finish: Hatch Elementary School, 490 Miramontes Ave.
Online registration will be available here closer to the event.- 9 a.m. – Festival Opens
- 10 a.m. – Pumpkin Carving for Fun (not a contest)
Bank of America lot- 2 p.m. – Pie Eating Contest (age 11 and under)
Bank of America lot- 2:15 p.m. – Pie Eating Contest (age 12 and over)
Bank of America lot- 5 p.m. – Festival Closes
Join in the fabulously festive fun as the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay will be bursting out in orange to celebrate its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor – our top shelf festival lineup features:
- A special display and photos with the Rhinoceros-sized weigh-off grand champion mega-gourd to benefit the Cabrillo Education Foundation
- Smashing non-stop entertainment with stellar live music on stage and street
- Boo-tiful harvest-inspired fine art and crafts from local Made on the Coast artists and a world-class and diverse lineup of 250 professional artists and fine craftmakers
- Fabulous homestyle foods served by local community service organizations
- Delectable delicious drinks including premium wines from Half Moon Bay Winery, seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, craft cocktails and Pathwater – 100% responsibly and locally sourced in a reusable aluminum bottle
- Expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting monster pumpkins into amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces
- Costume contest (10am in front of the HMB Library at 620 Correas Street) and pie eating contests (2pm on the IDES Grounds)
- Pumpkin carving for fun (10am on the IDES Grounds)
- Stock up on the latest and greatest official festival gear and coveted curios with our cool logo
- Pancake breakfast in the City Hall parking lot, Main and Kelly, presented by the HMB High School boys basketball team
- Plus there’s wet and wild waterballerz, Cornhole Corner game area, selfies and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”
- The Great Pumpkin Run – in-person Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, 5k, 10k and Half Marathon presented by Senior Coastsiders (with different start times beginning at 7am at Hatch Elementary School, 490 Miramontes Ave., Half Moon Bay).
- Stop by the Safeway tent for reusable grocery bags, coupons and goodies and grab a selfie with their vintage Farmers Market truck
- Sweet sponsor swag giveaways
- Special flourishes include the Collaborative Paint Temple where festival goers are encouraged to express themselves and the feel-good vibe of the Dancepark DJ Collective with its one-of-a-kind Pacific Art Car “Neptune’s Chariot”.
