10 Ohio Pumpkin Festivals Where Families Celebrate Fall Traditions
Fall in Ohio means crisp air, colorful leaves, and pumpkins galore! Throughout the Buckeye State, families gather at beloved pumpkin festivals that celebrate autumn’s bounty with everything from giant pumpkin weigh-offs to pumpkin-flavored treats.
These festivals offer more than just pumpkins – they create memories through hayrides, corn mazes, and festive activities that have become cherished family traditions.
1. Circleville Pumpkin Show
Known as the “Greatest Free Show on Earth,” this festival transforms downtown Circleville into a pumpkin paradise every October. I love watching the giant pumpkin contest where growers compete for bragging rights with massive orange beauties weighing over 1,000 pounds!
The festival serves up every pumpkin treat imaginable – from pumpkin donuts to pumpkin chili. Don’t miss the famous pumpkin pie eating contest or the elaborate parade featuring the newly crowned Pumpkin Show Queen.
2. Fall Harvest Jamboree at Mapleside Farms
Nestled in Brunswick’s rolling hills, this jamboree celebrates autumn with a perfect blend of farm fun and festive activities. Families can pick their own pumpkins straight from the patch while enjoying panoramic views of the countryside.
My favorite part is their famous apple fritters paired with hot apple cider – the perfect autumn treat! Their 7-acre corn maze challenges even the best navigators, while the pumpkin cannon demonstrations never fail to draw cheers from the crowd.
3. Pigeon Roost Farm Pumpkin Fun Days
Every weekend in September and October, this Hebron farm becomes a playground of pumpkin-themed adventures. The Great Pumpkin Fun Center features over 40 activities designed specifically for families with young children.
Hayrides take you through spooky (but not too scary) Halloween scenes. My kids always beg to visit the straw castle where they can climb and explore for hours. Their pumpkin selection is impressive – from tiny decorative gourds to massive carving pumpkins.
4. Leeds Farm Pumpkin Festival
Zip lines over pumpkin fields? Yes, please! This Ostrander farm combines traditional fall fun with adrenaline-pumping activities that keep teenagers and adults just as entertained as the little ones. The pig races had me laughing until my sides hurt.
Farm owner Rob Leeds creates new attractions each year, keeping families coming back. Their pumpkin donuts, made fresh throughout the day, create lines that wrap around the barn – but trust me, they’re worth the wait!
5. The Great Pumpkin Fest at Kings Island
When an amusement park hosts a pumpkin festival, you get the best of both worlds! Located in Mason, Kings Island transforms into a family-friendly Halloween celebration during September and October weekends. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the PEANUTS gang lead special activities throughout the park.
I always make time for the pumpkin decorating station where supplies are included with admission. The not-so-scary haunted maze delights younger children who aren’t ready for the park’s more intense Halloween attractions.
6. Honey Haven Farm Fall Festival
This working farm in Ashland opens its gates each fall for a festival that perfectly balances agricultural education with pure fun. Their pumpkin patch offers varieties you won’t find at grocery stores – from ghostly white to warty decorative types.
The corn cannon lets you aim and fire corn cobs at targets across the field. What makes this festival special is how the family owners share farming knowledge with visitors. I’ve learned something new about pumpkin growing every time I’ve visited.
7. Fleitz Pumpkin Farm Harvest Celebration
Family-owned for generations, this Oregon, Ohio farm creates a magical fall experience with attention to detail that larger festivals often miss. Their hand-painted pumpkin characters scattered throughout the farm create perfect photo opportunities for families.
The petting zoo features some of the friendliest animals I’ve ever met. Children especially love the miniature train that circles the property. Their homemade pumpkin ice cream combines warm fall spices with cool, creamy goodness – a unique treat you won’t find elsewhere.
8. Tom’s Maze and Pumpkin Farm Fall Extravaganza
Hidden in Germantown, this festival centers around one of Ohio’s most challenging corn mazes, which changes design annually. Last year’s maze formed a giant pumpkin pattern that could only be fully appreciated from aerial photos.
The haunted cornfield walks offer just the right amount of spookiness for brave kids and adults alike. I appreciate how they’ve kept traditional activities alive – from apple bobbing to sack races. Their pumpkin patch allows you to cut your own pumpkin directly from the vine.
9. Ramseyer Farms Pumpkinpalooza
Two giant corn mazes – including one shaped like Ohio – anchor this Wooster farm’s fall celebration. Their 600-acre property offers endless activities from pumpkin picking to pedal cart racing through specially designed tracks.
The pumpkin cannon demonstration happens twice daily, sending pumpkins soaring across the field. My family tradition includes racing down their 80-foot slide built into a hillside. Their country store offers homemade pumpkin butter and apple cider slushies that perfectly capture fall flavors.
10. Lynd Fruit Farm Pumpkin Patch Festival
Six generations of family farming expertise make this Pataskala destination a must-visit autumn tradition. Beyond their famous apple orchards, their pumpkin festival showcases over 50 varieties of pumpkins and gourds in every imaginable shape and color.
The farm’s weekend wagon rides take you through beautiful countryside while guides share the history of Ohio farming. I never leave without a jug of their fresh apple cider and pumpkin bread. Their market store features locally-made pumpkin fudge that melts in your mouth.
