54th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

54th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival Welcome to the World Pumpkin Capital! The legendary Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival returns October 17 & 18, 2026, transforming historic Main Street into the ultimate celebration of autumn, pumpkins, art, food, music and good old fashioned fun. Admission is FREE. The experience begins before you arrive. Cruise the California coast past pumpkin patches, rustic barns and ocean views before reaching Half Moon Bay, where giant pumpkins, hundreds of artists, live entertainment and incredible food take over town. FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS • World famous giant pumpkins • Great Pumpkin Parade • 250+ artists and makers • Farmer Mike celebrates 40 years of pumpkin carving • Four stages of live entertainment • Pumpkin flavored everything • Community food booths benefiting local nonprofits • Costume and pie eating contests • Made on the Coast local artists block • Family attractions and activities • FREE admission GIANT PUMPKINS Marvel at colossal Atlantic Giants weighing well over a ton, including champions from the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off displayed throughout festival weekend. The competition happens Monday, October 12 at the IDES Grounds, where elite growers battle for $9 per pound and a $30,000 total prize for a new world record. History has been made here before. Travis Gienger’s staggering 2,749-pound pumpkin shattered the world record in Half Moon Bay in 2023. GREAT PUMPKIN PARADE Saturday at noon, historic Main Street becomes a sea of orange for the beloved Great Pumpkin Parade, featuring pumpkin themed floats, marching bands, vintage cars, dancers, costumed characters and community groups. FARMER MIKE: 40 YEARS OF PUMPKIN MAGIC For 40 years, Farmer Mike, the “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers,” has transformed enormous Atlantic Giant pumpkins into extraordinary works of art at the festival. Watch him work live as he turns 300 to 1,500+ pound pumpkins into intricate three dimensional sculptures using their enormous size, shape and natural character as his canvas. 250+ ARTISTS & MAKERS Historic Main Street becomes a sprawling outdoor gallery with more than 250 artists and makers showcasing thousands of original handcrafted creations. Explore painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, textiles, woodworking, wearable art and harvest inspired creations, including the festival’s famous hand blown glass pumpkins. LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT Four stages keep the soundtrack going all weekend with rock, blues, funk, jazz, Americana and local talent. The IDES Main Stage, Ritz Carlton South Stage, Cunha’s Country Stage and Safeway Community Stage offer entertainment throughout both days, while the popular pie eating contests bring classic festival fun at 2 PM Saturday and Sunday. PUMPKIN EVERYTHING & COASTSIDE EATS Come hungry for pumpkin pancakes, pie, cheesecake, ice cream, ravioli, churros and more. Dig into Coastside favorites including Portuguese linguiça, bratwurst, Italian sausage, clam chowder in sourdough bowls, burgers, grilled corn and garlic fries. Festival food booths are operated by local nonprofit and community organizations as fundraisers, so every bite helps support the Coastside community. Pair it with Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s Pumpkin Harvest Ale, craft beers, festival wines, hard cider, seltzers and nonalcoholic options. MOONLIGHT MOVIE NIGHT Pumpkin season begins early with the new Moonlight Movie Night on Saturday, October 10 at 6 PM in Carter Park. Gather friends and family under the autumn night sky for a special outdoor screening of “Grow,” the perfect way to get into the spirit ahead of Weigh-Off and festival week. Bring a blanket, settle in and kick off pumpkin season in Half Moon Bay. FAMILY FUN Bring the whole crew for pumpkin carving, face painting, bungee jumping, Water Ballerz and more. Saturday begins with the Costume Contest at 10 AM in front of the Half Moon Bay Library, followed by the Great Pumpkin Parade at noon. MADE ON THE COAST On Sunday, discover the creativity of the Coastside at the Made on the Coast local artists block, featuring painters, photographers, jewelers, potters, glassblowers, furniture makers and other local artists. MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT Come early for a pancake breakfast, explore Half Moon Bay’s pumpkin patches and farms, discover historic downtown, visit the coast or join Sunday morning’s annual Pumpkin Run benefiting Senior Coastsiders. PLAN YOUR VISIT Saturday, October 17, 2026 9 AM to 5 PM Sunday, October 18, 2026 9 AM to 5 PM Historic Main Street Half Moon Bay, California Admission: FREE All Ages Event Website: https://www.hmbpumpkinfest.com/ Sponsorship and Media Requests: https://www.megalith.agency/

Event Links

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3800250-0

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