51st Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (Oct. 14-15)

It’s pumpkin season on the Coastside, and Half Moon Bay is going all in. The annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival takes over historic Main Street for two days of giant pumpkins, live music, food, art, costumes, contests, and the wonderfully over-the-top Great Pumpkin Parade.

The 54th annual festival returns October 17-18, 2026, transforming downtown Half Moon Bay into a giant celebration of the fall harvest. Admission is FREE, with the festival running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

54th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 17-18, 2026 | 9am-5pm
Historic Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA
FREE

2026 EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, October 17

• 7 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast
  City Hall Lot, Main St. @ Kelly Ave.
  Tickets available in advance.
• 9 a.m. – Festival Opens
• 10 a.m. – Costume Contest
  Half Moon Bay Library, Church & Correas Streets
• 12 noon – Great Pumpkin Parade
  Main Street
• 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 18

• 7 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast
  City Hall Lot, Main St. @ Kelly Ave.
  Tickets available in advance.
• 7:15-8:20 a.m. – 48th Annual Pumpkin Run by Senior Coastsiders
  Kid’s Fun Run, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon
  Start/Finish: Hatch Elementary School, 490 Miramontes Ave.
  Advance registration required.
• 9 a.m. – Festival Opens
• 10 a.m. – Pumpkin Carving for Fun
  Bank of America lot
  Not a contest.
• 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

THE GREAT PUMPKIN PARADE

The main event for many festival-goers is the Great Pumpkin Parade, rolling down Main Street at noon on Saturday. Expect pumpkin-themed floats, giant gourds, marching bands, dancers, musicians, costumed characters, community groups, and plenty of general Half Moon Bay weirdness.

The parade travels up historic Main Street from Miramontes Street to Mill Street. If you’re bringing kids or want a prime viewing spot, arrive early because the sidewalks fill up before the parade begins.

PUMPKIN CARVING

What’s a pumpkin festival without pumpkin carving? On Sunday, you can pick out a pumpkin and carve your own masterpiece for $10, including a pumpkin and carving tool. There’s no time limit, so you can take your time creating your gourd masterpiece before the festival closes at 5 p.m.

And yes, this one is just for fun — it’s not a contest.

LIVE MUSIC

There will be three main music stages throughout the festival, plus street performers, with everything from rock and country to blues, funk, jazz and more.

Saturday, October 17

I.D.E.S. Grounds Main Stage

• 9-10:30 a.m. — Jim Stevens & Friends
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Barn Owls
• 1-2:30 p.m. — Petty Rocks
• 3:30-5 p.m. — Sounds of Skynard

Ritz-Carlton South Stage at Fernandez Park

• 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Sonoma String Collective
• 1-2:30 p.m. — F.A.T. Betty
• 3-5 p.m. — Field Trip

Cunha’s Country Stage at Mac Dutra Park

• 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. — Mike Annuzzi
• 12-1:30 p.m. — Great Pumpkin Parade
• 1:30-3 p.m. — HMB High School Marching Band
• 3-5 p.m. — Three On The Tree

Sunday, October 18

I.D.E.S. Grounds Main Stage

• 9-10:30 a.m. — Jim Stevens & Friends
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Jacob Benning Band
• 1:30-3 p.m. — Casa Del Sol
• 3:30-5 p.m. — Pete Floyd

Ritz-Carlton South Stage at Fernandez Park

• 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. — Hey Jude
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. — Campfire Quartet
• 2-5 p.m. — Michelle Lambert

Cunha’s Country Stage at Mac Dutra Park

• 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Mini Flyer
• 1-3 p.m. — Southbound 101
• 3:30-5 p.m. — Tracorum

MORE FESTIVAL FUN

The festival also features giant pumpkins and the champion gourd from the annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, arts and crafts, food and drinks, pumpkin-themed attractions, and entertainment throughout downtown.

The 53rd Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off takes place separately on Monday, October 12 at the IDES Grounds, kicking off the festival’s week of pumpkin-related festivities.

GETTING THERE

The festival takes place on historic Main Street in Half Moon Bay. Expect heavy traffic, particularly on Highway 92, which the festival organizers warn can become congested as early as 8 a.m. Public transit is an option, with SamTrans service dropping riders near the festival.

Note: The festival asks visitors to leave pets at home, with the exception of leashed service dogs.