University Park Pumpkin Festival

The Arboretum's signature fall festival returns! Join us for a fun, family-friendly event featuring a pumpkin carving contest, lighted jack-o'-lantern displays, music, food truck vendors, and activities for the whole family.

Schedule Of Events

10:00–11:00 a.m : Story Time with Schlow Library
There will be two stories. One will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the other will begin at 10:30 a.m.

10:00 a.m.–12:00 pm : Quiet Hours and Daylight Strolling
This is an ideal time for visitors with young children or those with sensory issues to enjoy the jack-o’-lantern displays without all the festival noise and crowds.

11:00 a.m.–12:00 pm : Puppet Show with Adam Swartz Puppets
1:00 p.m : Contest Winners Announced

1:00–6:00 p.m. : Children's Activities
Activities will include corn husk dolls, gourd decorating, carnival games, scavenger hunt, and gourd guessing.

1:00–9:00 p.m. : Music, Food, and Vendors
Exhibits by Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Penn State Sustainability, Master Gardeners, Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Center for Pollinator Research, and Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center.
Live music by Picker and Paw Paw (strolling for a total of 3 hours)

2:00–3:00 p.m. : Puppet Show with Adam Swartz Puppets

4:00–8:00 p.m. : Live Pumpkin Carving by the Pittsburgh Pumpkin Guy