October 2024
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show – The Berkshires, Massachusetts
One fall activity that definitely sold me on a trip to the Berkshires was finding the Naumkeag Pumpkin Show. I have seen pumpkin displays advertised in the past but have never had the opportunity to attend one. This would be the perfect time to check that off the fall activity list.
It is very clear that this is a popular event and that advanced tickets are required. The website makes it easy to purchase tickets and requires you to select a parking lot and arrival time to not overwhelm the experience. Since parking onsite is extremely limited, they bus people from nearby parking lots to accommodate the most people to experience the display. The price is the same regardless of where you choose to park and honestly, we just selected the parking lot that had availability at the time we wanted. The later hours are the first to go since that is when it is dark to experience the pumpkins illuminated but I actually wanted to get there early in the event to avoid the mass crowds since I knew it was going to be a popular weekend to attend the event. Tickets were $30 each so we grabbed the 5PM slot for parking lot B and off we went. You can get tickets at the Naumkeag Trustee website.
The event itself was much larger than I thought it would be and featured a really nice walking trail of the property. I am not sure if it is like this every year but I have to imagine there is little flexibility in how the sidewalk is laid.
The one piece I found a bit disappointing is that almost all the pumpkins themselves are fake. I don’t know why I expected them to be real pumpkins but that felt like the entire point of the event. I realized it is easier to use fake pumpkins so they last for entire display season – which lasts a month. I wonder if all events of this style opt to go with fake pumpkins. They actually address the use of the fake pumpkins – for “Funkins” as they refer to them as – and outline that is it economical and sustainable since they get reused each year (which makes me question the repeatability but I heard many groups share that this is an annual tradition for them).
The pumpkins are arranged in cohorts of various themes so it was really fun to pick them out. And they are set up in more than just along the sidewalk – they do get creative in the displays and how the guests view the pumpkins. There is even a section on the house terrace that showcased a giant cauldron that emitted bubbles that were full of a visible vapor. And the spooky displays inside the house itself were very cool as well. There are also several stands along the journey that provide snacks, beverages, and even some alcoholic options to enjoy. The carvings themselves were very impressive, some of which were an insane quality, and the variety of displays were so fun. From Disney characters to Game of Thrones, to Pokemon to Harry Potter, and so much more in between – there is something to make everyone smile.
Here are some of our favorite pumpkins from the evening:
As you can tell by the photos, we were definitely too early to get the full lit effect of the pumpkins but I still enjoyed the time that we visited as it was less crowded, we could get a good view of all the pumpkin displays, and we did not have to wait in a giant line to get back to the parking lot. Overall, I think this is absolutely a must do for your fall adventure to the Berkshires, especially if you have never visited before. This is a great event for everyone in your traveling group, kids and adults of all ages. Depending on when you book, make sure you secure a time that aligns with how you want to see the pumpkins (during the dusk sunlight or in the dark at night) to ensure you have the experience you are looking for when you visit.