5 Must-Visit Bay Area Fall Festivals 2026: Glass Pumpkins & Fall Fun
Looking for unique Bay Area fall festivals 2026 to add to your autumn plans? From thousands of colorful hand-blown glass pumpkins to giant gourds, local artists, live demonstrations and classic harvest celebrations, the Bay Area has some truly memorable fall experiences.
These fall events take place across Palo Alto, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Los Gatos and Half Moon Bay. Whether you love discovering one-of-a-kind art, shopping for seasonal décor, taking fall photos or simply enjoying a festive day out, these pumpkin festivals deserve a spot on your 2026 fall calendar.
Best of all: all five events on this list are free to attend. You only need to pay if you decide to purchase glass pumpkins, food, drinks, artwork or other items available at the events.
1. Great Glass Pumpkin Patch — Palo Alto
When: September 26–27, 2026, 10 AM–5 PM
Where: Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Admission: Free
Why Visit: One of the most unique fall traditions in the Bay Area, the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch fills the grounds of the Palo Alto Art Center with more than 10,000 hand-crafted glass pumpkins. More than 20 talented glass artists create pumpkins in countless colors, shapes and sizes.
You can wander through the incredible outdoor display, meet participating artists, shop for a one-of-a-kind glass pumpkin and watch live glassblowing demonstrations. A percentage of sales benefits the Bay Area Glass Institute and Palo Alto Art Center Foundation.
Tip: Arrive early if you are hoping to purchase a particular style or color, as every glass pumpkin is unique.
More Info: Official Website
2. Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch — Santa Cruz
When: September 26–27, 2026, 10 AM–4 PM
Where: Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Admission: Free
Why Visit: Head to the beautiful garden at Live Oak Grange for a colorful display of locally made, hand-blown glass pumpkins and gourds. Created by Chris Johnson Glass and the pumpkin crew at their Davenport glass studio, these pieces come in different sizes, colors and designs—and no two are exactly alike.
This relaxed outdoor event is a fun addition to a Santa Cruz fall day. You can browse the displays, admire the craftsmanship, take in the garden setting and purchase a pumpkin if one catches your eye. No purchase is required to enjoy the event.
Good to Know: The event is family-friendly and free parking is available.
More Info: Official Website
3. Santana Row Glass Pumpkin Festival — San Jose
When: October 2–4, 2026
Friday, October 2: 3 PM–9 PM
Saturday, October 3: 10 AM–9 PM
Sunday, October 4: 10 AM–5 PM
Where: Santana Row Park, 377 Santana Row, San Jose, CA 95128
Admission: Free
Why Visit: Santana Row transforms into a colorful fall art destination with thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins created by artists from the Bay Area Glass Institute and other talented glass artisans from around the country.
Stroll through the dazzling displays, look for a glass pumpkin to take home and watch live glassblowing demonstrations from a mobile hotshop. With the restaurants, cafés and shops of Santana Row surrounding the event, it is also easy to turn your visit into a complete fall day or evening in San Jose.
Tip: This popular annual event can draw large crowds, so arrive early for the widest selection of glass pumpkins.
More Info: Official Website
4. Magical Glass Pumpkin Patch — Los Gatos
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10 AM–5 PM
Where: Los Gatos High School, 20 High School Court, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Admission: Free
Why Visit: For one magical day, the front lawn of Los Gatos High School becomes a sparkling patch filled with thousands of individually handmade glass pumpkins. Expect an incredible variety of colors, shapes and styles—from classic orange pumpkins to shimmering, striped and wonderfully unexpected designs.
You can wander through the display, meet the glass artists behind the pieces and purchase your favorite pumpkin while supporting a local cause. Proceeds from the event benefit Los Gatos High School and help support programs and opportunities for students.
Tip: This is a one-day-only event in 2026, so arrive early for the widest selection. The event takes place rain or shine.
More Info: Official Website
5. Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival — Half Moon Bay
When: October 17–18, 2026, 9 AM–5 PM
Where: Historic Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA
Admission: Free
Why Visit: If you are looking for the complete traditional pumpkin festival experience, the legendary Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is one of the biggest Bay Area fall festivals 2026 to have on your calendar.
The 54th annual festival brings Historic Main Street to life with enormous championship pumpkins, pumpkin carving, harvest-inspired arts and crafts, live entertainment, festive food and drinks, family activities and the famous Great Pumpkin Parade.
Unlike the glass pumpkin events above, this celebration focuses on the classic fall harvest experience and the area’s famous giant pumpkins. It is an excellent choice if you want a full day of fall festivities on the California coast.
Traffic Tip: Half Moon Bay becomes extremely busy during festival weekend. Plan to arrive early and allow extra time for traffic and parking.
More Info: Official Website
Which Bay Area Fall Festival Should You Visit?
For Glass Art Lovers: Choose the Great Glass Pumpkin Patch in Palo Alto, Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch in Santa Cruz, Santana Row Glass Pumpkin Festival or Magical Glass Pumpkin Patch in Los Gatos. Each offers a chance to see beautiful hand-blown pumpkins and support artists.
For a Classic Fall Festival: Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is the best choice for giant pumpkins, a parade, food, entertainment, art and the traditional harvest-festival atmosphere.
For a South Bay Experience: Santana Row and Los Gatos are convenient options for anyone looking for fall events around San Jose and the South Bay.
For a Coastal Fall Day: Combine the Live Oak Glass Pumpkin Patch with a day around Santa Cruz, or make Half Moon Bay’s festival part of a scenic coastal fall outing.
For Budget-Friendly Fall Fun: All five events are free to attend. Budget separately if you plan to purchase glass pumpkins, artwork, food, drinks or other festival items.
Tips for Visiting Bay Area Fall Festivals 2026
🎃 Arrive early: Glass pumpkin festivals can become busy, and arriving early gives you more time to browse the best selection.
📸 Bring your camera: The colorful glass pumpkin displays make beautiful fall photo opportunities.
🚗 Plan parking ahead: Popular events—especially Half Moon Bay—can bring significant crowds and traffic.
🍂 Make a day of it: Many of these festivals are close to restaurants, cafés, shopping areas and other seasonal attractions, so consider exploring the surrounding destination too.
💰 Admission is free: You can enjoy these events without purchasing anything, but bring a budget if you want to take home a handcrafted glass pumpkin or enjoy festival food and other items.
Explore More Fall Fun in the Bay Area
Planning more autumn adventures? Explore my complete guide to Bay Area Pumpkin Patches 2026 for even more seasonal experiences.
You can also Explore the USA for more travel inspiration or Find Your Next Restaurant for food recommendations and dining experiences.
Save this guide to the Bay Area fall festivals 2026 for your fall plans, share it with someone who loves unique autumn experiences, and follow @girl_being_crazy for more Bay Area events, food, travel and local experiences.
Happy fall! 🎃🍂