Ready for a fall event that’s packed with pumpkins, fun, and a little bit of creepy (but not scary) excitement? Pumpkin Palooza is making its return to Hershey Gardens this October, and it’s the perfect way to spend a day with your little ones while reveling in the joys of pumpkin everything and spooky season. Mark your calendars for October 19, 20, 26, and 27 because you won’t want to miss this!
Here’s what’s in store:
Pumpkin Art Galore
Over 200 hand-painted pumpkins will be on display throughout the gardens! These aren’t just any pumpkins—they're works of art created by talented students from Bishop McDevitt, Hershey High, Lower Dauphin, and Milton Hershey schools. From adorable animals to imaginative designs, you’ll be amazed by what these young artists have come up with. Plus, keep an eye out for the 14-foot pumpkin tree, awesome pumpkin mosaics, and other creative sculptures!
Creepy Creatures Gallery
Got a little one who’s fascinated by creepy crawlies? Check out the Creepy Creatures Gallery, where your kids can get up close with all kinds of critters, including tarantulas, frogs, walking sticks, and jungle nymphs. Feeling brave? From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you can even hold a hissing cockroach! While this isn’t MY idea of a good time I can confirm from personal experience that kids for some reason love this.
Hands-On Fun
Kids will love the hands-on activities throughout Pumpkin Palooza, and there’s even face painting available for an extra charge. My favorite part of this is that the kids get to be creative and immerse themselves in the fall fun but it’s not at my house and not my mess to clean.
Tasty Treats
After all the pumpkin peeping and creepy creature spotting, chow down on delicious food from local favorites like The Cheesesteak Shuttle, Jack and Joan’s Kettle Corn, Madelyn’s Sweets & Savories, Marsico’s Taste of Italy, and Shorty’s Funnel Cakes. Keep the warm fuzzies going with something hot from The Good Good Coffee Cart!
Bonus: Butterfly Atrium
Your Pumpkin Palooza admission also includes entry to the Butterfly Atrium! After you’re done exploring the fall displays, step into the indoor tropical paradise and meet some beautiful butterflies.
Event Details:
- When: October 19, 20, 26, and 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Hershey Gardens
- Cost: Pumpkin Palooza is included with general admission, and members get in for free!
Grab your tickets online at HersheyGardens.org or pick them up at the door. This event is perfect for families with young children, so gather your kiddos and get ready for some fall-tastic fun at Hershey Gardens!
Happy fall y’all and see you at Pumpkin Palooza! 🎃🍁
I wrote this article with words from my own brain, but I also used ChatGPT to help me organize the structure and suggest grammatical edits.
