Every October, a small town in Central Ohio goes absolutely gourd-crazy. Circleville, a community of just 12,000 people, transforms into the stage for one of the biggest fall festivals in the country: the Circleville Pumpkin Show. We’re talking hundreds of thousands of visitors (yep, over 400,000 people flood into town) for what’s been called the “Greatest Free Show on Earth.”
And if you’re searching for the best pumpkin patch in Circleville, Ohio, you’ll definitely want to plan your trip around this legendary event.
What is the Circleville Pumpkin Show?
The Pumpkin Show started back in 1903 when then-mayor George Haswell thought it’d be fun to decorate the street outside his house with corn stalks and pumpkins. What started as a small gathering has exploded into a massive celebration of fall, food, and of course, pumpkins.
Every year, the festival takes over downtown Circleville on the third Wednesday through Saturday in October. Admission is totally free (hence the nickname “the Greatest Free Show on Earth”), and the whole thing is run by volunteers and local businesses.
To read more about their exciting history, check out their official site here.
How much are tickets for the Circleville Pumpkin Show?
This is the best part: it’s free! You don’t need to buy tickets to attend the Circleville Pumpkin Show, making it one of the most affordable fall events in Ohio. And with parades, the Miss Pumpkin Show contest, and the largest pumpkin competition, there’s so much the Pumpkin Show in Circleville has to offer.
What was the biggest pumpkin at the Circleville Pumpkin Show last year?
Each year, growers bring in their heaviest giants for bragging rights. These pumpkins are literally so massive they need to be moved with cranes. In 2024, the winners were:
- 2,226 pounds – Bob & Jo Liggett
- 2,194 pounds – Ray Anderson
- 1,895 pounds – Brandon Wiggins
When people say the Circleville Pumpkin Show has tons of pumpkins… they literally mean TONS!
How long does the Circleville Pumpkin Show run?
The show always runs four days: Wednesday through Saturday of the third week of October. Circleville all but becomes Ohio’s fall capital during those few days. We love Columbus, but we got nothing on Circleville’s fall-ness.
Are there rides at the Circleville Pumpkin Show?
Yep! Alongside the pumpkin displays, parades, and food vendors, there’s a full-blown midway with carnival rides and games. Think Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, and everything you’d expect from a festival this size.
What Makes the Pumpkin Show Unique?
Sure, there are plenty of pumpkin patches near Circleville, Ohio, but nothing comes close to this. Some of the wildest traditions include:
🎃 The World’s Largest Pumpkin Pie – For the show’s 100th anniversary, Circleville baked a 14-foot-wide pumpkin pie that required 795 pounds of pumpkin, 360 pounds of sugar, and 60 dozen eggs. It took 15 people 10 hours to bake.
🎃 Historic Candy Shop – Circleville is home to Wittich’s Candy Shop, the oldest family-owned confectionary in the U.S., and a must-stop if you’re exploring the Pumpkin Show.
🎃 Parades & Costumes – Each day features themed parades, plus plenty of kids (and adults) rocking costumes that lean into fall and Halloween.
🎃 Pumpkin Everything – Pumpkin donuts, pumpkin burgers (yes, that’s a thing), pumpkin eating contests… If it exists, Circleville has figured out how to make it pumpkin-flavored and pumpkin-themed.
Why the Circleville Pumpkin Show is Worth It
It’s free. It’s quirky. It’s full of small-town charm mixed with jaw-dropping giant pumpkins and record-breaking food feats. Whether you’re chasing the nostalgia of a classic fair or just looking for the ultimate pumpkin patch in Circleville, Ohio, this festival delivers.
So grab a sweater, bring your appetite, and maybe clear some space on your phone — because your camera roll for the month of October is about to be 90% pumpkins.
🎃 Circleville Pumpkin Show | 159 East Franklin Street, Circleville, OH 43113
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