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Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O'-Lantern Displays in New England in 2022

Halloween and New England go together like pumpkin festivals and jack-o'-lantern displays! Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show photo courtesy of the Trustees
Halloween and New England go together like pumpkin festivals and jack-o'-lantern displays! Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show photo courtesy of the Trustees
9/23/22 - By Kelley Heyworth

Pumpkin festivals and jack-o'-lantern displays are traditional autumn fun in New England. Going to a pumpkin festival or visiting a glowing jack-o'-lantern display is a family-friendly way to get into the spirit of the fall. Whether you stick close to home or make a day or weekend trip out of it, New England is brimming with fall festivals. Kids are particularly enamored with events celebrating the humble pumpkin: the symbol of autumn and Halloween. Here's our list of 2022 pumpkin festivals, displays, and events that are happening in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island in September and October. Read on for our guide to Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O'-Lantern Displays in Boston, Connecticut, and around New England!

Find your perfect jack-o'-lantern (or two) at these Pumpkin Patches Near Boston and the Best Pumpkin Patches in Connecticut Worth the Drive. Then be inspired by our easy pumpkin carving ideas for some family fun at home! 

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Get out to see the incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show this fall! Photo courtesy of the Trustees
Get out to see the incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show this fall! Photo courtesy of the Trustees

Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O'-Lantern Displays in Massachusetts

Hollowed Harvest - Wicked Labyrinth

Salem, MA—Sept. 23 - Oct. 30
Hollowed Harvest returns for its 5th season—bigger, bolder, and with more ways to experience the magic of Salem than ever! One ticket now unlocks two epic attractions: the Wicked Labyrinth and the all-new Madam Flim-Flam’s Psychic Emporium! READ MORE

Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show

Stockbridge, MA—Sept. 30 - Oct. 31
Naumkeag's famous gardens in the Berkshires are adorned with 1,500 jack-o-lanterns, hundreds of mums, and exciting gourds. There will be hot cider and treats. READ MORE

Hollowed Harvest - Marshfield

Marshfield, MA—Sept. 23 - Oct. 30
Experience the spooky family-fun of Halloween at the Hollowed Harvest. The Hollowed Harvest brings to life thousands of incredible Jack-O'-Lanterns creating stunning landscapes and larger-than-life displays designed to amaze audiences of all ages!. READ MORE

Halloween On The Hill

Beverly, MA—Sept. 30 - Oct. 31
Long Hill transforms into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season. Follow their seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,500 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums and pumpkins, elaborate Halloween sets, light displays, music, and more.  READ MORE

Pumpkin People in the Park

Chatham, MA—October 14-31
FREE
This annual tradition down the Cape brings together local businesses that craft clever, funny, or awe-inspiring displays of people and activities out of pumpkins. READ MORE
Rhode Island plays host to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
Rhode Island plays host to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo

Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O'-Lantern Displays in Connecticut and Rhode Island

Pumpkintown USA

East Hampton, CT—Sept. 17 - Oct. 31
One of New England's premier non-scary Halloween villages, Pumpkintown USA annually draws about 25,000 visitors. The Village at Pumpkintown USA is home to more than 70 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. The unique village includes a fast food restaurant called MacPumpkins, a saloon, a jail, a church, barbershop, country store, farm, and a fire station. READ MORE

Stratford's Great Pumpkin Festival

Stratford, CT—Saturday, October 15
FREE
This celebration of autumn and Halloween will include a traditional costume parade and contest, a pumpkin carving contest, community booths and more.  READ MORE

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Providence, RI—Sept. 29 - Oct. 31
Celebrate the Halloween season with a visit to Roger Williams Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Stroll through a path that features thousands of intricately carved pumpkins.  READ MORE

Putnam's Great Pumpkin Festival

Putnam, CT — Saturday, October 15
FREE
 Join Putnam’s Great Pumpkin Festival — brought to you by the Town of Putnam, Putnam Business Association, and CT Visit. Enjoy a craft fair, food, GREAT pumpkins & more! READ MORE

Annual Seymour Pumpkin Festival

Seymour, CT — Sunday, September 18
FREE
This annual Festival will take place (rain or shine) at French Memorial Park and offers carnival rides & games, entertainment, petting zoo, children’s contests, arts & craft vendors, and food booths run by local civic, school, and non-profit organizations.   READ MORE
New Hampshire's White Mountains features the Return of the Pumpkin People. Photo courtesy of jacksonnh.com
New Hampshire's White Mountains features the Return of the Pumpkin People. Photo courtesy of jacksonnh.com

Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O'-Lantern Displays - Maine, New Hampshire, & VT

Return of the Pumpkin People

Jackson, NH — October 1-31
It's the 41st annual Return of the Pumpkin People! Take a self-guided tour of a variety of Pumpkin People at more than 50 different displays. See Pumpkin People doing all kinds of things from flying across yards to deep-sea diving.  READ MORE

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest

Damariscotta, ME —October 7 - 9
FREE
This family-oriented festival showcases the pumpkin growers in the area and beautifully decorated pumpkins. Giant Pumpkins on Main St., all decorated by local artists, will be on display. A parade takes place on Saturday, with a regatta on Sunday.   READ MORE

Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival

Stowe, VT —September 25
Stowe Vermont's 14th annual festival of pumpkin catapulting features live music, food trucks, children's activities, and a chili cook-off among area restaurants. READ MORE

New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival

Laconia, NH—October 29
An annual tradition in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, this free, family-oriented festival is known for its pumpkin tower, built with donated pumpkins carved at home or on site, as well as rides, activities, music, and food.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Kelley Heyworth
Kelley Heyworth is the regional editor for Mommy Poppins, covering Boston, Connecticut, and the rest of New England. She has covered parenting and health topics for nearly two decades, as an editor for Child Magazine and Fitness Magazines and a contributor to Parents Magazine, Mommy Nearest, and other national publications and websites. Previously, she was a writer and editor at Sports Illustrated and Philadelphia Magazines. A mom of three boys outside of Boston, Kelley also writes a blog, Happy Healthy Kids, and loves hiking, running, cooking, gardening, and spending time at beaches in Nantucket, Connecticut, and New Jersey with family and friends.
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