As the leaves turn golden and a cool breeze fills the air, we know it’s time for pumpkin everything! October 26th marks National Pumpkin Day, a celebration dedicated to this autumn icon. Pumpkins aren’t just for carving—although we all love a good jack-o’-lantern—they’re also a cornerstone of fall cuisine, from creamy pumpkin soups to the legendary pumpkin pie.
While there’s no grand pumpkin conspiracy behind the date, October 26th falls right in the middle of prime pumpkin season. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to honor the humble gourd that graces our doorsteps, kitchen counters, and Instagram feeds. Plus, the timing lets us dive deep into the heart of pumpkin harvest time, when patches are full and fresh pies are a must.
Pumpkins are more than just a pretty face for carving. They have deep roots in American history, symbolizing harvest, sustenance, and celebration. Native to North America, pumpkins were cultivated by Native American tribes long before they found their way into pies. Nowadays, they’ve become stars in everything from spiced lattes to seasonal decor.
When is National Pumpkin Day Celebrated?
National Pumpkin Day is celebrated every year on October 26th, just five days before Halloween. It’s the perfect time to get into the festive spirit and stock up on pumpkins for all your fall activities. Check out the table below for the exact dates and weekdays of National Pumpkin Day and mark your calendar!
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | October 26, Saturday |
| 2025 | October 26, Sunday |
| 2026 | October 26, Monday |
| 2027 | October 26, Tuesday |
| 2028 | October 26, Thursday |
| 2029 | October 26, Friday |
| 2030 | October 26, Saturday |
Pumpkin Days Galore: Celebrating All Things Pumpkin
The entire month of October is dedicated to celebrating pumpkins in all their forms, it is the official National Pumpkin Month! Alongside National Pumpkin Day, you’ll find a few other fun days dedicated to pumpkins and their delicious flavors. Here are a few to mark on your calendar:
- October 1, Pumpkin Spice Day
Celebrate the start of fall with the iconic flavor that’s become a seasonal favorite. Whether it’s lattes, cookies, or candles, pumpkin spice is everywhere! - October 10, National Pumpkin Seed Day
After carving pumpkins, don’t toss those seeds! Roast them up for a tasty and healthy snack to enjoy throughout the season. - October 21, National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
Combining rich pumpkin with creamy cheesecake, this day is perfect for indulging in a dessert that screams autumn.
Fun Ways to Celebrate National Pumpkin Day
Pumpkins are more than just a seasonal decoration or pie ingredient—they offer endless ways to have some festive fall fun! You can carve, cook, or craft with them, and there are plenty of ways to embrace this versatile gourd. Here are a few ideas to inspire your celebration on October 26th.
- Host a Pumpkin Carving Party: Gather some friends, grab a few carving tools, and let your creativity flow. You could even host a competition for the most creative design.
- Bake a Pumpkin Treat: Whether you’re into pies, breads, or lattes, National Pumpkin Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in all things pumpkin-flavored.
- Visit a Pumpkin Patch: Spend the day outside, find your perfect pumpkin, and snap a few fall photos while you’re at it.
- Pumpkin-Themed Crafts: If baking’s not your thing, how about turning pumpkins into cute centerpieces or decorations?
Fun National Pumpkin Day Facts
Pumpkins aren’t just about pies and porch decorations—they have a fascinating history and some surprising facts that might just make you appreciate them even more. Check out these fun tidbits about fall’s favorite fruit!
- The world’s heaviest pumpkin weighed over 2,700 pounds! The giant pumpkin’s grower, Travis Gienger, nicknamed it “Michael Jordan”.
- Pumpkins are technically fruits, not vegetables, and they belong to the squash family.
- In some countries, roasted pumpkin seeds (or pepitas) are a popular snack full of nutrients.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
