Pumpkin Fest Will Bring Fall Fun to the Arboretum at Penn State

The Arboretum at Penn State will bring its annual Pumpkin Fest back to University Park this month with two days of jack-o’-lantern displays, live music, food vendors, children’s activities and a pumpkin carving contest. 

The festival will be held Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens in the Arboretum. Friday’s activities are scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m., while Saturday’s events will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Admission to the festival is free. 

A special feature for adults will return for its second year with the 21+ Pumpkin Patch. The area will operate from 4 to 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday and will offer beverages from Boal City Brewing and University Wine Company. 

Entry to the 21+ Pumpkin Patch costs $10 and valid identification is required. The first 300 people who pre-register will receive a commemorative stainless steel cup, according to the Arboretum. Walk-up admission will also be available.

For the general admission festival, Friday’s schedule includes pumpkin decorating from 5 to 7 p.m., music from 91 Stitches and food trucks and vendors on the North Lawn. 

Saturday will feature a full day of activities, including story time, puppet shows, chestnut husking, children’s activities, vendors and live pumpkin carving by The Pittsburgh Pumpkin Guy. Music from Astral Shakedown will close out the evening. 

The festival’s jack-o’-lantern contest will once again be a central part of the weekend. The Arboretum is offering free pumpkins for community members who want to participate. 

Individuals can pick up pumpkins from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Overlook Pavilion. Groups that register in advance can pick up 10 to 30 pumpkins from 1 to 2 p.m. that day. Group orders are due by Oct. 7. 

Carved pumpkins must be returned to the Arboretum from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15 or from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 16 to be eligible for judging. Awards will be given across age groups and categories including Best in Show, Best Arboretum Theme, Best Penn State Theme and Best Pop Culture Theme. 

Contest winners will be announced at noon on Saturday. 

For families looking for a quieter experience, the Arboretum will offer quiet hours and daylight strolling from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The period is intended to give young children and visitors with sensory sensitivities an opportunity to view the jack-o’-lantern displays with fewer crowds and less noise.

Children’s activities will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and include mini gourd decorating, Pumpkin Fest printmaking, carnival games, a gnome scavenger hunt and a gourd-guessing activity. 

The Arboretum will also host food trucks and vendors throughout the festival, with options including BBQ by Clem, Farmstead Fusion, Gourmet Griddle Company, Idou Coffee Co., Kaleena’s, Rebelz Mobile Cuisine, Rosie’s Pierogies and Studebaker House. 

The festival is part of the Arboretum’s annual programming and has become a recurring fall event featuring illuminated jack-o’-lanterns throughout the gardens. Penn State previously described Pumpkin Fest as a community tradition that brings visitors together through food, music, crafts and seasonal activities. 

After the festival, participants can retrieve their carved pumpkins from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18. Unclaimed pumpkins will be composted beginning at 2:05 p.m.