Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival Join your community in Elk Grove Park over the first weekend in October! Admission is free. Parking is $20 per vehicle.
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The annual Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival welcomes guests of all ages to Elk Grove Park every first weekend in October. What began in 1994 as a small harvest celebration is now Elk Grove’s favorite family festival and attracts over 45,000 guests each year. The festival has something for everyone with attractions including the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, pumpkin pie-eating contest, pumpkin recipe co

ntests, scarecrow-making contest, kids’ zone, live entertainment, an art walk, crafts, and a race across the lake between giant pumpkin boats! The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is hosted by the Cosumnes Community Services District in partnership with many sponsors. Become a friend of the festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Cosumnes CSD honored the life and legacy of Brian Werner, a proud member of our giant pumpkin family. From his 2,147-pou...
02/19/2026

Cosumnes CSD honored the life and legacy of Brian Werner, a proud member of our giant pumpkin family.

From his 2,147-pound First Place pumpkin at the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival to top honors at Half Moon Bay, Brian’s dedication and craftsmanship were evident in every vine he tended and every competition he entered. His greatest harvest, though, was always his family.

Thank you to the Werner family for allowing us to recognize a life so deeply rooted in hard work, heart, and community.

01/23/2026

It’s not really about the pumpkins.
It’s about the people. The families.
The wins we celebrate together.
The laughter, the smiles, the tears.

And this week, we mourn together.

We remember Brian Werner, our reigning giant pumpkin champion and record-holder. His legacy lives on in this community and in every vine that reaches for the sun. If you have a memory of Brian, we invite you to share it below. 🧡🎃

Memorial service open to all: Thursday, January 29, at 10 a.m. at Gridley-Biggs Cemetery

Grateful for moments like this.At the Cosumnes CSD Board of Directors meeting, the Miracles in Old Elk Grove foundation ...
12/23/2025

Grateful for moments like this.

At the Cosumnes CSD Board of Directors meeting, the Miracles in Old Elk Grove foundation shared the impact of community partnership in action. From hosting the first-ever beer garden at the Giant Pumpkin Festival to supporting 150 local families through their holiday toy drive, their focus is simple: serve the community with care and intention.

As a first-year effort, the beer garden showed what’s possible through collaboration with Cosumnes CSD and Cosumnes Fire Department. To say thank you, Miracles in Old Elk Grove presented a donation to the Cosumnes Recreation Opportunity Fund in appreciation of the partnership and the shared impact this season.

This is community collaboration at work.

Happy Halloween, pumpkin lovers! We 'witch' you a spook-tacular evening of fang-tastically fun memories. 👻🧡We've got a T...
11/01/2025

Happy Halloween, pumpkin lovers! We 'witch' you a spook-tacular evening of fang-tastically fun memories. 👻🧡

We've got a TREAT for you: swipe to see some of our favorite pumpkin puppies! 🎃🐾

💬 Which one has the most spooky spirit?

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 Recipe Contest - SWEET Edition! 🍰Congratulations to these big-league bakers!🥇 Deli...
10/20/2025

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 Recipe Contest - SWEET Edition! 🍰

Congratulations to these big-league bakers!
🥇 Delina Ybarra - Pumpkin Bombs (BEST OF SHOW WINNER 🏆)
🥈 Maria Morgan - Pumpkin Pudding
🥉 Stephanie Henry - Pumpkin Cheesecake with Sour Cream Pumpkin Spice Topping

Pictured: Delina Ybarra's Pumpkin Bombs! 😋

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 GPF Art Contest! 🎨Future Picasso (3-6 years old)🥇 Kainelo Nyamadzawo🥈 Aaron Garcia...
10/19/2025

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 GPF Art Contest! 🎨

Future Picasso (3-6 years old)
🥇 Kainelo Nyamadzawo
🥈 Aaron Garcia
🥉 Jay Jung-Sytsma
🏆 People's Choice: Jay Jung-Sytsma

Young Rembrandt (7-12 years old)
🥇 Sadie Chung
🥈 Sadie Chung
🥉 Kassidy Tolon
🏆 People's Choice: Gordon Tan

Junior Monet (13-17 years old)
🥇 Neel Patel
🥈 Addison Washburn
🥉 Jenna Corker
🏆 People's Choice: Addison Washburn

Pictured: Future Picasso second place winner, Aaron Garcia!

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 Recipe Contest - SAVORY Edition! 🥘Congratulations to these seasoned chefs!🥇 Stepha...
10/18/2025

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 Recipe Contest - SAVORY Edition! 🥘

Congratulations to these seasoned chefs!
🥇 Stephanie Henry - Pumpkin Gumbo
🥈 YiChin Liu - Golden Pumpkin Stir Fry
🥉Tracy Vessigault - Pumpkin Frittata

🏆 Best of Show Winner: Delina Morgan - Pumpkin Bombs (entered in Sweet Category)

Pictured: all three winning entries!

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 Scarecrow Contest! 🌽Congratulations to these scarecrow stylists!YOUTH WINNERS:🥇 Au...
10/18/2025

📣 ANNOUNCING: The winners of the 2025 Scarecrow Contest! 🌽

Congratulations to these scarecrow stylists!
YOUTH WINNERS:
🥇 Autumn Reksc
🥈 Soloman Rodriguez
🥉Geovanni Georgopoulous
ADULT WINNERS:
🥇 Georgina Arroyo
🥈 The Kutcher Family
🥉Kari LaSalle

🏆 BEST THEME: Georgina Arroyo
🏆 PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Autumn Reksc

Thanks to our sponsors Dignity Health Sacramento and Townsend Public Affairs!
Pictured: The Adult and Best Theme winning entry, the Youth and People's Choice winning entry, and some photos of winners receiving their awards!

People always ask what happens to the leftover pumpkin patch pumpkins after the Festival... 🎃Great question — and consid...
10/15/2025

People always ask what happens to the leftover pumpkin patch pumpkins after the Festival... 🎃

Great question — and consider this your official invite to find out!

💦 In the pool, we say go big or gourd home!

Once a year, the Elk Grove Aquatics Complex transforms into a floating pumpkin patch! After picking your pumpkin, head to a decorating station to make it your own. Enjoy arts & crafts, carnival games, and plenty of fall fun on the deck. Bring your family, your creativity, and your camera — this one’s a splash!

🎟️ Entry is free. Take home your pumpkin for $13.
📅 Saturday, October 18 | 1–4 PM
📍 Elk Grove Aquatics Complex, 9701 Big Horn Blvd
Pre-registration encouraged — check the link for details! https://bit.ly/4onTRfM

That is one. GARGANTUAN. GOURD! 😍🎃Jose Ceja, a veteran pumpkin grower and 6-time champion, donated his 1,621-pound pumpk...
10/11/2025

That is one. GARGANTUAN. GOURD! 😍🎃

Jose Ceja, a veteran pumpkin grower and 6-time champion, donated his 1,621-pound pumpkin to Cosumnes Parks & Recreation for display at the Wackford Community Complex! 🧡 This gourd-geous photo opportunity will be up all month long, ready to put giant smiles on pumpkin fans' faces.

Feast your eyes on the humongous pumpkin all October at 9014 Bruceville Road!

Photo featuring Mr. Ray, Ms. Lorena, and the afternoon class of Tiny Tot at Wackford!

🎃 Missed out on the pumpkin patch at GPF? Pick one from a pool instead! 🏊🌊 Head to the Elk Grove Aquatics Center next we...
10/11/2025

🎃 Missed out on the pumpkin patch at GPF? Pick one from a pool instead! 🏊

🌊 Head to the Elk Grove Aquatics Center next weekend for Pool of Pumpkins, a one-of-a-kind event that's fun for the whole family! Cosumnes Parks & Recreation transforms the pool into a floating pumpkin patch. Plus, enjoy arts & crafts and play fun carnival games!

🍁 Pumpkins are limited, and taking one home costs $13 - but swimming is FREE, whether you grab a gourd or not! Once you select your pumpkin, you can decorate it at one of our decorating stations.

🧡 Want MORE events like this? Follow ! October may mean the end of GPF magic, but Cosumnes CSD keeps fun and festivity alive year-round.

Saturday, October 18 | 1 - 4 p.m. | 9701 Big Horn Blvd.

Address

9950 Elk Grove Florin Rd
Elk Grove, CA
95624

Opening Hours

Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(916) 405-5600

Website

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