54th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

Get ready for one of California’s most legendary fall traditions! The 54th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival returns October 17 and 18, 2026, transforming historic Main Street into an unforgettable celebration of colossal pumpkins, incredible art, live music, delicious food and charming, old fashioned fall fun.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the California coast, Half Moon Bay comes alive with pumpkin patches, rolling farmland, autumn colors and the unmistakable spirit of harvest season. At the center of it all is a festival more than five decades in the making.

Admission is FREE!

Some traditions never get old.

Throughout the weekend, enjoy:

• The Great Pumpkin Parade at noon Saturday
• Giant championship pumpkins
• Farmer Mike's, the Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers, celebrates 40 Years of Carving at the Event
• Pumpkin pie eating contests
• Costume Contests
• Pumpkin Carving
• Giant Pumpkin Photo Booth
• Pancake breakfasts
• Family activities and entertainment
• The 48th Annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Run on Sunday
• Made on the Coast local artists showcase
• Street performers throughout downtown
• Plenty of pumpkins!

This is the World Pumpkin Capital, so naturally the pumpkins are anything but ordinary.

Come face to face with the enormous championship pumpkins from the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh Off, including the newly crowned 2026 champion. These giants can weigh more than a ton and have to be moved by forklift!

Catch the champion pumpkin rolling triumphantly up Main Street during the beloved Great Pumpkin Parade at noon Saturday, then snap a one of a kind photo alongside it at the Giant Pumpkin Photo Booth.

And don't miss Farmer Mike, the legendary "Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers," as he celebrates an incredible 40 years of carving at the festival and transforms massive Atlantic Giant pumpkins into extraordinary three dimensional works of art.

Historic Main Street becomes a sprawling open air gallery featuring 275 talented artists and craftmakers from across the country.

Discover original paintings, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, sculpture, textiles, leather, woodwork, metal art and one of a kind creations, including the festival's always popular hand blown glass pumpkins.

On Sunday, the Made on the Coast Local Artists Block puts an additional spotlight on the incredible painters, photographers, jewelers, potters, glassblowers and makers of the San Mateo County Coastside.

Turn up the volume with four stages of live entertainment, plus street performers appearing throughout the festival.

From rock, blues and funk to folk, reggae, jazz and local talent, music fills downtown Half Moon Bay all weekend long.

Pumpkin isn't just something to look at around here.

Dig into a delicious lineup of pumpkin inspired favorites including pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin milkshakes, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin spice churros and pumpkin ravioli.

You'll also find festival favorites including clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, grilled corn, burgers, garlic fries, tamales, sausage sandwiches, kettle corn, açaí bowls and much more.

Best of all, festival food is prepared and served by more than 20 local nonprofit organizations, making the weekend an important annual fundraiser for Coastside schools, youth programs, service organizations and community groups.

Toast the season with wine, craft beer, seasonal cider and more, including the special Pumpkin Festival label wine from Half Moon Bay Winery and Pumpkin Harvest Ale from Half Moon Bay Brewing Company.

Relax with a glass of wine at the Harvest Moon Lounge, enjoy nearby live music or take home a collectible festival glass or mug as a reminder of your trip to the World Pumpkin Capital.

Part of the magic of Pumpkin Festival is simply getting here.

Half Moon Bay sits along one of California's most beautiful stretches of coastline, surrounded by pumpkin farms, rolling fields and sweeping Pacific Ocean views.

Come early, explore the festival, wander historic Main Street and experience the Coastside at its most colorful time of year.

Saturday & Sunday
October 17–18, 2026
9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Historic Main Street
Half Moon Bay, California

FREE ADMISSION

Come celebrate 54 epic years of pumpkins, art, music, food and community in the one and only World Pumpkin Capital!

Info: o launch your memorable Pumpkin Festival day with a super tasty carbo-load, the High School Boys Basketball Teams will fire up the griddle to host the traditional Pancake Breakfast complete with unlimited buttermilk or pumpkin pancakes with 3 grilled sausage links, and choice of orange juice, coffee or tea.

Info: 48th Annual Pumpkin Run by Senior Coastsiders
In-Person Events: Kid's Fun Run, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon
Start/Finish: Hatch Elementary School, 490 Miramontes Ave.

Info: Half Moon Bay Library, Church & Correas Streets

Info: Located at the Community Stage in the Bank of America lot

Info: Located at the Community Stage in the Bank of America lot

Event venue & nearby stays

Downtown Half Moon Bay, 500 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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