Autumn has officially arrived and seasonal festivities are ready to begin at the Tijuana Pumpkin Festival (Festival de las Calabazas), which reopens its doors for another year of family-friendly entertainment.
What to Know about the Tijuana Pumpkin Festival
Running from September 25 through November 2, the Tijuana Pumpkin Festival takes place at the intersection of Calle 11 and Plutarco Elías Calles in Zona Urbana Río Tijuana, welcoming visitors seeking a festive autumn outing.
A highlight of this year is the pumpkin carving station, where guests can purchase medium or large pumpkins for $300 pesos ($17 USD) plus general admission and receive all the tools needed to design their own jack-o’-lanterns.
Thill-seekers can explore an expanded maze designed to challenge visitors with unpredictable hallways and mystery doors; while daytime runs offer child-friendly navigation, organizers recommend visiting after dark for a truly spooky experience.
The festival also features 10 bounce houses for adults and children alike, alongside an arcade zone equipped with air hockey, basketball hoops, and more.
Animal lovers can visit the Tijuana Pumpkin Festival pet farm to interact with sheep, goats, a calf, and a piglet, with animal feed available for purchase on location.
A mini carnival adds to the festival atmosphere with traditional fair games like target shooting, marbles, and ring fishing, complemented by food vendors serving hot dogs, corn dogs, corn, and strawberries with cream.
Photographers and families can take advantage of numerous themed backdrops across the Tijuana Pumpkin Festival featuring autumn displays, Halloween motifs, dinosaurs, and popular children’s characters like Coco and Bely y Beto.
Tijuana Pumpkin Festival Prices
- Monday-Thursday: $300 pesos ($17 USD)
- Friday-Sunday: $350 pesos ($20 USD)
Admission covers full access to all attractions except pumpkin carving; tickets are required for children aged one and older.
To accommodate larger groups, organizers are developing tailored school package deals that bundle student and chaperone admission with interactive activities and catered meal options.
Weekend visitors can catch live children’s stage performances around 6:00 PM, featuring popular entertainment acts such as Kpop Demon Hunters and Bely y Beto.
Tickets remain valid for the entire day, giving families the flexibility to enter at opening, step away, and return later in the evening without purchasing secondary admission.
The Tijuana Pumpkin Festival is pet-friendly, encouraging visitors to bring their pets along to enjoy the autumn scenery and photo opportunities.
Guests looking to host birthday parties or private gatherings are welcome to reserve space and may bring outside food, including cakes.
Operating daily from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM, the Tijuana Pumpkin Festival offers flexible hours for visitors looking to experience the spirit of the season throughout autumn in Downtown Tijuana.
