Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Fall festival · Half Moon Bay · California
Half Moon Bay calls itself the World Pumpkin Capital each October, closing Main Street for two days of giant-pumpkin weigh-offs (entries have topped 2,700 pounds) plus art booths and pie contests tied to the coastal town's commercial pumpkin fields.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
9am-5pm both days; Pumpkin Weigh-Off kicks off Mon Oct 12
Dates from the official announcement — always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: November 18–November 22
Color builds from November 5 · mostly bare by December 13
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival’s own coordinates and elevation (22 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on the map
More things to do in California
June Lake Loop
Scenic drivePeak September 26
A 16-mile loop off US 395 threads four alpine lakes below Carson Peak, and by early October its aspen groves turn the roadside gold. Pull off anywhere along the pavement; Reversed Creek and the June Lake overlook give the classic Eastern Sierra shot.
Don’t miss: Reversed Creek aspen groves · Views of Carson Peak · Four lakes along one loop road
Bishop Creek Canyon
Scenic drivePeak September 28
South Lake Road climbs from Bishop into a narrow Eastern Sierra canyon where quaking aspens along Bishop Creek turn brilliant gold, usually peaking mid-to-late October. North Lake and South Lake bookend one of California's densest fall color drives.
Don’t miss: South Lake and North Lake · Aspen groves along the creek · Parchers Camp turnout
Yosemite Valley
National parkPeak September 29
Yosemite Valley's black oaks and bigleaf maples color the meadows below El Capitan and Half Dome in late October, thinning the summer crowds without thinning the granite. Cook's Meadow and the Valley Loop Trail frame the display.
Don’t miss: Cook's Meadow black oaks · Valley Loop Trail · Views of El Capitan and Half Dome
Lundy Canyon
TrailPeak September 22
A trail up Lundy Canyon climbs past beaver ponds and waterfalls through some of the Eastern Sierra's thickest aspen groves, glowing gold by mid-October. The out-and-back from Lundy Lake is Mono County's signature fall color hike.
Don’t miss: Beaver ponds and waterfalls · Dense aspen groves · Lundy Lake trailhead
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Oct 17 – Oct 18. 9am-5pm both days; Pumpkin Weigh-Off kicks off Mon Oct 12. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 18–November 22 (best estimate November 20). Color starts around November 5 and is mostly bare by December 13.
- What is Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival best for?
- Pumpkin festival.
- How do I get to Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival?
- Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is in Half Moon Bay. The closest city is San Francisco, about 22 mi away. It's part of California's fall lineup.
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