Pumpkinfest in Franklin, North Carolina

by | Oct 5, 2025

pumpkinfest franklin nc pumpkin festival

One of our favorite Fall events in Western North Carolina is Franklin’s Pumpkinfest. When my kids were little we used to take them dressed up for costume contests, pumpkin rolls down Frogtown Hill, and great food trucks. Its still the same vibe too. And this year, 828Vibes will have a booth and selling our fun Smoky Mountain Vibes shirts including our Fall Leaves long sleeve. So come and get yours to cut the Fall chill air.

TL;DR: 30th Annual PumpkinFest in Franklin

  • Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: Historic Downtown Franklin, NC
  • Highlights: World Famous Pumpkin Roll, Costume Parade & Contest, 120+ vendors
  • Family and couple-friendly fall fun on a budget!
  • Rain or shine, the celebration is on!
  • FREE GUIDE: Get your Budget-Friendly North Carolina Smoky Mountain Family Vacation

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Franklin, NC’s Fall Favorite: The 29th Annual Pumpkinfest

Get ready to let the good times roll—literally! Franklin, North Carolina, is hosting its 30th Annual PumpkinFest on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and it’s one of the biggest and most loved fall celebrations in Western North Carolina. Every year, thousands of visitors head to this charming mountain town to enjoy a day packed with family fun, great food, and small-town cheer.

Whether you’re traveling with kids or planning a fall weekend getaway for two, this event brings together all the best parts of autumn: crisp air, laughter, pumpkin spice everything, and colorful leaves drifting through downtown.

Smoky Mountain Vibes apparel you can find at our booth.

The World Famous Pumpkin Roll

No PumpkinFest would be complete without the World Famous Pumpkin Roll, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like! Grab a pumpkin (bring your own or pick one up downtown) and head to the top of Phillips Street to see how far it’ll roll down the hill. This fun tradition is all about bringing families together for laughter and excitement! Everyone cheers and comes up with clever ways to launch their pumpkins even farther. It’s a lighthearted event that creates awesome memories for kids to treasure and share later. Don’t miss out on this joyful small-town experience that really brightens up the year!

Costumes, Contests, and All the Fun You Can Handle

The Costume Parade and Contest is another highlight that turns downtown Franklin into a colorful swirl of creativity. From adorable toddlers dressed as pumpkins to adults showing off their clever group costumes, it’s a crowd favorite every year. Be sure to sign up early if your family wants to join in—the parade is as fun to participate in as it is to watch!

And the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll find over 120 vendors, including 90+ local artists and crafters, filling the streets with handmade goods, fall décor, and gifts that make perfect souvenirs. Food trucks and local restaurants serve up tasty bites all day long, so come hungry.

Make It a Weekend in Franklin

PumpkinFest runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, rain or shine, but there’s plenty more to enjoy if you want to make a weekend out of it. Franklin offers affordable lodging options, from cozy cabins and local inns to family-friendly motels that keep your trip easy on the budget.

Couples looking for a romantic touch can book a cabin with a mountain view or grab dinner downtown after the festival. Families will love visiting nearby attractions like The Factory arcade and mini-golf, or exploring the Little Tennessee River Greenway for a relaxing walk after a busy festival day.

Plan Your Trip

Smoky Mountain Vibes

Love exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina as much as we do? Show your Smoky Mountain Vibes with hiking outdoors themed tshirts, hoodies, or long sleeves from smkymtnvibes.com.

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