Circleville Pumpkin Show
Fall festival · Circleville · Ohio
Circleville has run this four-day October festival since 1903, drawing 300,000-plus visitors downtown for giant-pumpkin weigh-offs and Lindsey's Bakery's roughly 400-pound pumpkin pie. Billed as 'The Greatest Free Show on Earth,' it's one of the country's largest pumpkin festivals.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Open 10am-10pm daily; always the 3rd Wednesday through Saturday in October
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: October 16–October 20
Color builds from October 9 · mostly bare by November 9
Sampled at Circleville Pumpkin Show’s own coordinates and elevation (213 m) rather than a regional average.
22 weather points cover Ohio, and the model shifts their answer 1 day later, which is what it takes to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com. This year's weather has the peak running 5 days earlier than a normal year. How the forecast works
When to go to Circleville Pumpkin Show
You get about 18 days of color here, from the first turn through to roughly October 27. Against Ohio overall, that is 2 days later.
From Columbus it is about 25 mi, close enough for a morning drive.
Circleville Pumpkin Show on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Ohio, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Ohio
Leaves & views
Cider & donuts
Halloween
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is Circleville Pumpkin Show open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Oct 21 – Oct 24. Open 10am-10pm daily; always the 3rd Wednesday through Saturday in October. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does Circleville Pumpkin Show peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 16–October 20 (best estimate October 18). Color starts around October 9 and is mostly bare by November 9.
- How do I get to Circleville Pumpkin Show?
- Circleville Pumpkin Show is in Circleville. The closest city is Columbus, about 25 mi away. It's part of Ohio's fall lineup.
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