🎃 Pumpkin Patches

709 of these farms are open today, October 2. Here are 48 of them, spread across states.

Most pumpkin patches open around Sep 19 and close around Oct 31. 89% of the closing dates farms have posted are on or before November 1, so don't leave it too late. Farms in Illinois tend to open first (around Sep 14), and those in California and Texas last (around Sep 26). Hoping for a quieter weekday trip? Of the 938 farms that publish their fall hours, 224 (24%) are closed Monday through Thursday, so check the farm's hours before you go. These figures come from the 2026 dates 767 of the 1,483 farms have posted themselves, and update as more farms post theirs.

When is the best time to pick pumpkins?

Early in the season, from late September through the first half of October, the fields have the most choice, and the pumpkins will last until Halloween if you don't carve them yet. By the last weekend of October the best pumpkins are often gone and the crowds are at their biggest. If you are picking a pumpkin to carve, our carving-date calculator tells you when to carve it so it still looks good on Halloween night.

Do you pick them off the vine?

It depends on the farm. At some patches you walk the field and choose a pumpkin still attached to the vine; at others the pumpkins have already been cut and set out in the field or by the barn for you to choose from. Both are fun for kids, and the farm's own page usually says which it is. If the pumpkins are still on the vine, ask whether you need to bring clippers or whether the farm lends them. The stems are tough.

How do we pick a good pumpkin?

Look for one that is firm all over with no soft spots or cuts, has a sturdy green-brown stem still attached, and sits flat so it won't roll. Give it a knock: a good one sounds hollow. Carry it from underneath rather than by the stem, which can snap off. A pumpkin without its stem goes soft much sooner.

Is it okay for toddlers and little kids?

Yes, and little kids usually love it. Fields are bumpy and can be muddy, so a stroller struggles; many farms have wagons or wheelbarrows to borrow for hauling pumpkins, and sometimes small children too. A small pie pumpkin is a good pick for a toddler who wants to carry their own.

How much does it cost?

Farms price pumpkins in different ways: by weight, by size, or at a flat price each. Some also charge admission for the wider farm fun, occasionally with a small pumpkin included. Prices vary a lot from farm to farm, so check the farm's own page. It is also worth bringing some cash, since a few smaller farms take cash only.

What should we wear and bring?

Boots or old sneakers, layers for a chilly morning, and clothes that can get dirty. If you have a wagon at home, bringing it saves a long carry back to the car. Some farms don't allow outside food or dogs, so check before you pack a picnic or bring the family pet.

When is it least crowded?

Weekend afternoons in October are the busiest times of the season, especially the weekends before Halloween. A weekend morning is usually calmer, and a weekday visit is quieter still. Many farms are closed early in the week, though, so check the hours on the farm's page first.

How long will our pumpkin last?

An uncarved pumpkin kept somewhere cool and dry, out of the rain, can last for weeks. Once it is carved it usually lasts only a few days to a week, which is why it pays to carve close to Halloween.

• Michigan256
• California236
• New York215
• Pennsylvania178
• Ohio152
• New Jersey133
• Illinois129
• Indiana96
• Texas88

Every season date on this page was read off the farm's own website, Facebook page or ticket store, then checked against this year's calendar. A page still advertising last fall's dates is rejected rather than republished. Farms with no date yet simply have not posted one; more do as the season nears. How we verify season dates →