Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

October 5-6, 2024, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Elk Grove Regional Park
9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road
Elk Grove, CA 95624
Free admission, $20 parking, yourcsd.com

Entertainment

• Giant pumpkin weigh-off
• Games
• Carnival games and rides
• Live entertainment
• Pumpkin foods
• Pumpkin recipe contest
• World Pumpkin Pie-Eating Championship
• Scarecrow-making contest
• Pumpkin patch
• Giant pumpkin boats regatta
• Pumpkin Carver
• Giant produce weigh-off such as zucchini and sunflowers

30th annual Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival 

Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off: Cheer from the stands as the gargantuan gourds are moved with a forklift to a special scale on Saturday morning.

Giant Pumpkin Regatta Sunday 12 p.m.: Giant pumpkins are carved into boats and paddled across the lake in the Pumpkin Regatta. The 1,000-pound pumpkin shells are surprisingly seaworthy, but difficult to steer! 

World's Largest Jack-o-lantern: Three world-renowned pumpkin carvers sculpt a giant Jack-o-Lantern for a Guinness World Record! They will carve the second heaviest pumpkin from the Weigh-Off contest which is expected to be nearly 2,000 pounds. Watch them work throughout both days near the Pumpkin Pavilion.

Hometown Pumpkin Pie-Eating Contest: Contestants  eat as fast as they can with no hands on Saturday or Sunday in the Pumpkin Kitchen.

Pumpkin Flavored: Pumpkin Food Court has pumpkin deliciousness in many forms. On Saturday morning, adults can enter their own sweet or savory pumpkin-flavored treats into the Best Pumpkin Recipe Contest to try and win a cash prize. On Sunday morning, junior bakers  enter the Lil' Pumpkin Cupcake Contest for fun and prizes.

Scarecrows Around the World: Enter one of four categories: Youth Open (individuals 12 and under), Youth Group, Teen/Adult, or the new Elementary School Class category. The scarecrows are judged on Saturday morning and displayed over the two days. 

Youth Art Contest: Young artists ages 3 to 17 are invited to show off their talent in the  for a chance for prize money. This year's theme is "Giant Pumpkins Around the World." 
 
The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is organized by the Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with sponsors. A portion of festival proceeds benefit local youth and service organizations. Last year the festival attracted an estimated 50,000 guests. 

What began in 1994 as a small harvest celebration is now Elk Grove's largest family festival and attracts an estimated 45,000 guests each year. 

Elk Grove Pool of Pumpkins

October 19, 2024, 1-4 p.m.

Elk Grove Aquatic Center
9701 Big Horn Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 
No entrance fee $13 wristband to pick a pumpkin Pre-registration encouraged,
 yourcsd.com
Jump in and pick your pumpkin! Join us for this annual event as we transform Adventure Bay into a floating pumpkin patch. Once you pick your pumpkin you can decorate it at one of our decorating stations and play fun carnival games. Bring the camera as you won't want to miss this unique pumpkin experience! 

 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.