Pumpkin Festivals in California 2026: Patches & Weigh-Offs
June 7, 2026 · 8 min read
California pumpkin season is a fall institution — from Half Moon Bay's world-record weigh-off to small patch festivals scattered across every region. Here's when to go, which festivals are worth the trip, and where to pick your own.
When is pumpkin season in California?
Pumpkin patches typically open in late September and run through Halloween, with festivals clustering in October. Half Moon Bay — the undisputed capital of California pumpkin culture — draws its biggest crowds the second and third weekends of October.
- Late September — Patches start opening; Sierra Foothills farms combine pumpkins with apple season.
- Early October — Peak patch season statewide; most festivals run the first two weekends.
- Mid-October — Half Moon Bay weigh-off and festival; the biggest pumpkin events of the year.
- Late October — Patches still open; selection thins as Halloween approaches. Go early for best variety.
Pumpkin festivals in California 2026
The main event. Giant pumpkins from across the country compete for the world record — recent winners have topped 2,000 lbs. Free to watch, held at the Half Moon Bay Feed & Fuel on Main Street. Plan around this if you want one must-see pumpkin moment in California.
The street fair that follows the weigh-off weekend — 250,000 visitors over two days, live music, pumpkin carving competitions, and the full Main Street lined with vendors and farm stalls. The largest pumpkin festival in California and one of the biggest in the US.
A full month of pumpkin patch and harvest festival in the Sierra Foothills. Family-run farm with hayrides, corn maze, and a good selection of pumpkin varieties throughout October.
The pumpkin race is the centerpiece: hollowed-out giant pumpkins turned into vessels for a boat race. Genuinely fun community event in the western Sierra Foothills.
SoCal's dedicated pumpkin festival, held at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center. Pumpkin patch, carving demos, and fall activities for families.
A Lake County celebration that combines the harvest with Día de los Muertos traditions — altars, cultural performance, and a pumpkin patch alongside the festivities.
North Coast community pumpkin festival in Ukiah — a good option if you're in wine country that October weekend.
Small Gold Country harvest fest with a pumpkin patch component, live music, and local vendors. A quieter alternative to the bigger October events.
Less a festival, more a season-long u-pick pumpkin patch in the heart of Marin County. Runs from late September through early November — one of the closest pumpkin patches to San Francisco.
U-pick pumpkin patches by region
Bay Area
- Andreotti Family FarmsHalf Moon Bay
- Blue House FarmSan Gregorio
- G&S FarmsBrentwood
- Spina Farms Pumpkin PatchMorgan Hill
Andreotti and Blue House Farm are just south of Half Moon Bay — combine a patch visit with the festival weekend for the full Coastside experience.
Southern California
- Carlsbad Strawberry CompanyCarlsbad
- Julian Farm and OrchardJulian
- Los Rios RanchoOak Glen
- Prancer's FarmSanta Paula
- Riley's FarmOak Glen
- Underwood Family FarmsMoorpark
Oak Glen (Los Rios Rancho, Riley's Farm) is a natural SoCal pumpkin destination — it's also apple season, so you get both in one trip.
Sierra Foothills / Apple Hill
- Bierwagen's FarmChicago Park
- Bolster's Hilltop RanchCamino
- Goyette's North Canyon RanchCamino
- High Hill RanchCamino
- Linda Grace's PlaceGrass Valley
- O'Halloran's Apple Trail RanchCamino
The Camino farms are part of the Apple Hill harvest season — pumpkins here come alongside apples, cider, and one of California's best fall farm trail experiences.
Central Coast
- Avila Valley BarnSan Luis Obispo
- Cal Poly Fruit and Crops UnitSan Luis Obispo
- Crystal Bay FarmWatsonville
- Serendipity FarmsCarmel Valley
Cal Poly's Fruit and Crops Unit is a working teaching farm — call ahead to confirm public u-pick availability before visiting.
Central Valley
- Bishop's Pumpkin FarmWheatland
North Coast
- SRJC Shone FarmForestville
Shone Farm is a Santa Rosa Junior College teaching farm — call ahead to confirm public u-pick pumpkin availability before making the drive.
Planning tips
- Half Moon Bay books out. The Art & Pumpkin Festival weekend draws 250,000 people. If you're staying overnight, book months ahead. Day-trippers should go early Saturday or consider Sunday for thinner crowds.
- Go before the last week of October. Pumpkin selection at u-pick farms thins out the week before Halloween. The first two weekends of October offer the best variety.
- Sierra Foothills is the double-dip. Apple Hill and the surrounding Camino farms overlap pumpkin and apple season perfectly in October — one trip covers both.
- Check hours before driving. Smaller farms may be weekends-only, or close early when they sell out. A quick check on the farm's Instagram saves a wasted trip.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival?
The World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is October 12, 2026. The Art & Pumpkin Festival is October 17–18, 2026 — those are separate events, both in Half Moon Bay.
Are there pumpkin festivals in Southern California?
Yes — the Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (October 18) is the dedicated SoCal pumpkin event. For u-pick patches, Oak Glen (Los Rios Rancho, Riley's Farm) is the closest California-style farm experience to LA.
When do pumpkin patches open in California?
Most open in late September and run through Halloween. Some, like Nicasio Valley in Marin, open as early as September 26.
What's the biggest pumpkin festival in California?
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival — roughly 250,000 visitors over two days, with the Weigh-Off immediately preceding it. It's one of the largest fall festivals in the US.
Ready to pick?
The four checks for a long-lasting pumpkin — stem, skin, color, and the thump — plus variety guide and storage tips.
How to pick a pumpkin →