Photo credit: @heidys.archives
Fall is around the corner! Downtown Houston’s premier urban green space, Discovery Green, is bringing back the wildly popular Houston Pumpkin Festival for fall 2026, once again transforming the park into an expansive autumn wonderland.
What to do at the Houston Pumpkin Festival
Following its runaway success in past seasons, the 2026 festival expands on the storybook charm that captivated the city. Visitors can step straight into a fairytale environment filled with giant pumpkin houses, walk among vibrant sunflower displays, and pose inside a life-sized Cinderella carriage.
Beyond the visual installations, the festival offers interactive experiences for all ages, including its famous oversized pumpkin bouncing area, trackless train rides around the park grounds, and evening paddles across Kindergarten Lake in clear crystal kayaks under glittering illuminated trees.
Photo credit: @heidys.archives
When and where is the Houston Pumpkin Fesitval
The 2026 Houston Pumpkin Festival runs from Saturday, September 19 through Sunday, November 1. Once underway, the park welcomes guests from 3 pm to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 10 am to 10 pm Friday through Sunday.
How to get tickets to Houston Pumpkin Festival
The festival is a ticketed event, with ticketing details and online reservation links available through Discovery Green’s official website. Admission is priced by day of the week. Weekday tickets, valid Monday through Thursday, cost $18 per person, while Friday-through-Sunday admission is $28 per person. Children ages 3 and younger can enter free.
Photo credit: @heidys.archives
Other fall happenings at Discovery Green this year
The pumpkin festival anchors a bustling full-season calendar across Discovery Green. The autumn lineup kicks off with Dogfest in mid-September, bringing canine costume contests and local pet vendors to the lawn.
Bank of America’s Screen on the Green will host free outdoor movie nights throughout late September and October, while culinary enthusiasts can look forward to the Southern Smoke Festival in early October.
Mid-October will see the high-energy Korean Festival featuring K-pop dance battles and authentic street food, followed by Houston’s ultimate citywide Halloween bash, Scream on the Green, on Saturday, October 24.
The season officially wraps up on Sunday, November 1 with a vibrant DĂa de los Muertos celebration filled with community altar displays, traditional dance, and artisan markets.