38th Annual Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival

October 18 - October 19

The "World Pumpkin Capital" of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a spectacular lineup paying homage to the Great Gourd.

Festivities include a special display of massive weigh-off champion pumpkins, three stages of live entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, expert pumpkin carvers, photos with the grand champion gourd, and pie-eating and costume contests.

It's all about pumpkin cuisine at this festival, with numerous locally grown and produced culinary treats available. Take your pick from pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin fudge, or pumpkin sausage, along with hearty stews of local artichokes and brussels sprouts, portobello mushroom sandwiches, linguisa sausage, roasted turkey drumsticks, hot beef sandwiches, and lots more. Enjoy Half Moon Bay Winery’s festival-label Chardonnay and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale, brewed with a variety of pale and crystal malts and pumpkin pulp.

Special Attractions and Events

• Pancake Breakfast (both days, 7 a.m.)
• Costume Contest (Saturday, 10 a.m.)
• Great Pumpkin Parade (Saturday, 12 noon)
• Pie-Eating Contests (both days, 2 p.m.),
• 5K/10K Run (Sunday, 8 a.m.)
• Family Pumpkin Carving (Sunday, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.)
• Farmer Mike, the Picasso of pumpkin carvers
• Photos with the grand champion pumpkin
• Haunted house
• Froghopper amusement ride
• Mobile Rock's 24-foot climbing wall