Did you know that Half Moon Bay is considered the “pumpkin capital of the world?” This scenic coastal town near San Francisco is worth visiting any time of year, but it comes alive during the fall season when local pumpkin patches start ramping up production ahead of Halloween.
All that seasonal spirit culminates during the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, a massive celebration drawing upwards of 200,000 people that features pumpkin pie, master pumpkin carvers, a pumpkin parade, and the winning pumpkin from the “Super Bowl” of pumpkin weigh-offs. This year, the festival will take place on the weekend of October 18-19, 2025.
The ‘Super Bowl’ of pumpkin weigh-offs
Titans of the pumpkin industry come from all over the country to compete in the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, which this year takes place on October 13th. The enormous championship gourds often exceed 2 tons, and farmers have a chance to win thousands of dollars in prize money.
The competition has long promised a $30,000 mega-prize for anyone whose pumpkin manages to break the world record. This coveted prize last went to Travis Gienger of Anoka, Minnesota, in 2023, whose behemoth of a pumpkin clocked in at 2,749 pounds.
What to see at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
You can see the winning gourds on display at the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, which kicks off with a pancake breakfast and an old-fashioned parade on Saturday. Guests come to browse nearly 300 vendors stationed up and down Main Street, whose wares include original paintings, photography, glass, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and leatherworks.
Don’t forget to check out Farmer Mike’s enormous pumpkin sculptures on display. For almost four decades, the master pumpkin carver has presented an array of exquisitely designed pumpkin art pieces at the festival.
🌐 Website: Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
📍 Location: Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA
🗓️ Date: The festival is on Oct. 18-19, 2025 from 9am to 5pm. The championship weigh-off will happen on Oct. 13.