The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival In Northern California Is A Classic Fall Tradition

Aaaaah! Autumn is here, which means it’s time for so many classic fall traditions: apple picking, fall foliage leaf peeping, and great autumn fairs and events. One of the latter has been an annual tradition for decades, drawing throngs of folks from all over the state. Come along as we delve into and enjoy the annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.

This year’s Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival will be held October 15-16, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on historic Main Street between Spruce and Mill Streets.

"Gourd times" are in store for all at this free festival celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It’s fitting that the festival has taken place here for so long, as Half Moon Bay, located about 30 miles south of San Francisco, is known as the "World Pumpkin Capital." All along this coastal stretch of California, you’ll find farms that grow some of the biggest and best pumpkins in the world.

There’s so much to see, do, and enjoy at this annual celebration of the mighty gourd!

For starters, you’ll find not just a wide array of artists and craft makers showcasing their various talents like at most festivals, but rather approximately 275 of them! From fine art to glassworks, jewelry, ceramics, painting, textiles, wood, and more, you will find a wonderful, handcrafted one-of-a-kind item here.

By far the most popular event of the festival is the pumpkin weigh-off.

All year-long pumpkin growers tend to their special gourds in hopes of becoming the mega-gourd grand champion. Past winning entries have weighed in excess of 1,500 pounds! That’s a lot of pumpkin, folks! Another exciting and always anticipated pumpkin festival activity is the "Great Pumpkin Run" encompassing a Kids 1-Mile Fun Run, 5K, 10K, and a half marathon.

As you might expect, there will also be a variety of great food at the festival.

Vendors will be selling everything from, of course, pumpkin pies, cookies, cakes, breads, and the like, and there will also be the iconic pumpkin pie eating contest. If you come in the morning, you can treat your tastebuds to some of the best pumpkin and buttermilk pancakes at the Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. To accompany your later-in-the-day meals—hot dogs, pizza, burgers, tacos, salads, sandwiches, and the like—the adults can choose from special pumpkin harvest ales, premium wines, exceptional craft beer, and an array of creative cocktails.

One of the most fun activities is the Costume Contest.

Kids and adults alike love this annual demonstration of the best and most creative Halloween attire. A Cornhole Corner game area, waterballerz, pumpkin carving area, and expert monster pumpkin sculpting demonstrations are also part of the fun.

Be sure to bring your dancing shoes to enjoy the all-star lineup of performing artists.

Two giant stages will be set up at the festival, featuring a wide variety of musical genres and stylings. Dance and frolic ‘til your heart’s content!

Truly regarded by some as "the ultimate mecca of gourd greatness," the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is not to be missed!

Have you been to the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there. You can also learn more about the festival events on their Facebook page.

If you’re looking for something else to do in the Half Moon Bay area, check out this awesome glassblowing experience!