Arboretum at Penn State to Celebrate Fall with Pumpkin Festival

More than 600 jack-o’-lanterns, 200 gallons of hot chocolate and plenty of entertainment await an anticipated 20,000 visitors at this weekend’s Pumpkin Festival hosted by The Arboretum at Penn State

The annual fall festival will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. Admission and parking is free.

“The pumpkin festival is welcoming and wonderful for everyone,” Arboretum Director Casey Sclar said in a statement. “Hundreds of lit jack-o’-lanterns celebrate the art and skill of carvers of all ages who enter, combined with family-friendly food, crafts and entertainment.”

Lighted contest jack-o’lanterns will be displayed during the festival and will be lit from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

Live entertainment at the festival will include traditional Celtic songs by Lilting Banshee from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, strolling musicians Picker & Papa will perform from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and Western Range will bring Texas swing, honky-tonk and rockabilly music from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Other entertainment on Saturday includes family-friendly crafts and games, including pumpkin bowling, gourd decorating, a puppet show and face painting. Visitors can also learn about animal care, pollinator gardening, and more from demonstrations and other displays.

Approximately 250 community and student volunteers help with the event, which is supported in part by a grant from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Commissioners. 

For more information about the Pumpkin Festival, visit the Arboretum’s website.