Are you looking for something new to do in Iowa this fall? Iowa always puts us in the mood for pumpkin-picking. Try a trip to Anamosa, the weirdly wonderful Pumpkin Capital of Iowa! Every year, they hold a world-famous Iowa state pumpkin festival, and this year the Anamosa Pumpkinfest is taking place on October 7th – the first Saturday in October. It’s a celebration of everything fall, complete with a street fair, games, and a grand display of the largest pumpkins in all of Iowa. We look forward to seeing the details of this year’s event every year – and so does all of Iowa!

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Want an advanced look at this year’s Anamosa Pumpkinfest? Local radio station Mix 94.7 KMCH posted this hometown tour on YouTube in early 2023.

Have you attended this Iowa state pumpkin festival in past years? Tell us your plans for Anamosa Pumpkinfest in 2023 in the comments section!

The Anamosa Pumpkinfest website and Anamosa Pumpkinfest Facebook have all the details on this year’s event. If you’re looking to make a mini-vacation of your trip to Anamosa, book a room at the AmericInn by Wyndham Anamosa.

What other quirky “capitals” are hiding in Iowa besides the Pumpkin Capital? We know about a few of them already – the Flag Capital, for example! 

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More to Explore

Best Fall Festivals In Iowa

What Are The Best Fall Festivals In Iowa?

Anamosa Pumpkinfest might be the most famous fall festival in Iowa, but don't miss these local gems!

  • Amana Oktoberfest is a beloved annual tradition in this popular German town, as the entire town becomes a celebration of old Bavarian traditions. The beer is flowing freely, the restaurants are turning out their best sausages, and the town is alive with dance, music, and beer halls well into the night. It's not the only Oktoberfest in Iowa, but it definitely is the most famous.
  • Bloomsbury Farms is one of Iowa's top tourist attractions, located in the charming small town of Atkins. But each fall, it holds not one famous fall event - but two! During the day, it's home to a beloved harvest festival filled with dozens of all-ages activities and delicious eats. But after dark falls, it transforms into the more mature Scream Acres, where ghouls and goblins roam freely across four terrifying attractions.
  • The Villages of Van Buren Scenic Drive Festival is Iowa's most unique fall festival, taking place along a beautiful series of small villages connected by a country road. You'll bear witness to some of Iowa's best fall foliage - as well as getting to see dozens of vendors, shops, and small businesses set up along the way to greet visitors. Many of the businesses are from the local Amish community, so make sure to get some fresh-baked goods!

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