When: Friday, October 17–Saturday, October 18, 2025
Where: The Arboretum at Penn State
Celebrate the season with us at Pumpkin Fest 2025!
This annual family-friendly event is filled with autumn magic, dazzling jack-o’-lantern displays, contests, and live music. Savor seasonal bites from local food truck favorites and explore a variety of crafts and activities designed for all ages. It’s a perfect way to welcome fall with the whole family!
Jack-o’-Lantern Contest
The jack-o’-lantern contest is a fan-favorite at Pumpkin Fest! The Arboretum gives away pumpkins to community members for participation in the contest. Returned jack-o’-lanterns are displayed during Pumpkin Fest and awards are given for various themes and age groups.
To participate in the contest, follow these rules and pre-festival activities:
Pumpkin Fest Schedule of Events
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:00–7:00 p.m. | Pumpkin Decorating ($10 per pumpkin) Reserve a spot at 5:00 or 5:45 p.m. or join the walk-up session at 6:30 p.m. (first come, first served, while supplies last) |
| 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Music by 91 Stitches
The 21+ Pumpkin Patch ($10 to enter) |
| 5:00–9:00 p.m. | Food Trucks and Food Vendors on the North Lawn
|
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:00–11:00 a.m. | Story Time There will be two stories. One will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the other will begin at 10:30 a.m. |
| 10:00 a.m.–noon | Quiet Hours and Daylight Strolling This is an ideal time for visitors with young children or those with sensory issues to enjoy the jack-o’-lantern displays without all the festival noise and crowds. |
| 11:00 a.m.–noon | Puppet Show with Adam Swartz Puppets |
| Noon | Contest Winners Announced |
| Noon–9:00 p.m. | Food Trucks and Food Vendors on the North Lawn
|
| 1:00–5:00 p.m. | Balloon Animals with Charlie the Jester |
| 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Puppet Show with Adam Swartz Puppets |
| 2:00–5:00 p.m. | Music Throughout the Gardens with Picker & Papa |
| 2:00–8:00 p.m. |
Vendors Exhibits by Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, The Center for Pollinator Research, Penn State Sustainability, Hermann Lab – Arthropod Ecology and Trophic Interactions, and the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State (till 6:00 p.m.) |
| 4:00–7:00 p.m. | Children’s Activities Activities will be held in the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden, Poplar Court, and the Event Lawn. |
| 4:00–8:00 p.m. | Live Pumpkin Carving by The Pittsburgh Pumpkin Guy
The 21+ Pumpkin Patch ($10 to enter) |
| 5:00–8:00 p.m. |
Music by Western Range |
Post-Festival
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Jack-o’-Lantern Pick Up Pick up your carved jack-o’-lanterns. Unclaimed pumpkins will be composted starting at 2:05 p.m. |
