30th Annual PUmpkinFest!


The Town of Franklin presents the 30th Annual PumpkinFest
Featuring the World Famous Pumpkin Roll
Saturday, October 17, 2026

Get ready to let the good times roll!

It's going to be a big year for Franklin, North Carolina's Annual PumpkinFest as 2026 will be the festival's 30th Anniversary!

PumpkinFest will roll into action on Saturday, October 17, 2026 beginning at 9:00 a.m. (rain or shine)! Each year we have thousands of people from all over the United States come to enjoy Franklin's largest street festival and celebration of autumn. Children and adults alike will have a blast taking part in traditional and some very non-traditional fall festivities including the "World Famous Pumpkin Roll" contest.

The Costume Parade and Contest is another highlight of the day. And don't miss out on over 120 vendors including more than 90 featuring arts & crafts. You'll also find great food and more!

PumpkinFest runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and is held rain or shine in Franklin, NC.

For assistance or additional information, contact the Town of Franklin at 828-524-2516, ext. 307.

 


Vendor Applications Now Available!

Vendor applications are now available for the 30th Annual PumpkinFest. Deadline for applications is Monday, August 31, 2026

Tap or click to download from the links below in PDF Format (a new window will open).

 

» PumpkinFest Arts & Crafts Vendor Application (PDF)

» PumpkinFest Food & Beverage Vendor Application (PDF)

» PumpkinFest Non-Profit Vendor Application (PDF)

 


2023 PumpkinFest Co Sponsors

   
REMAX Elite Realty Franklin NC Sponsor
Sanctuary Village Franklin NC Franklin Power Sports PumpkinFest Co-Sponsor
   

Traffic Information

Street Closures – October 16 and 187 Downtown - Pumpkinfest

There are multiple street closures associated with preparation for, and during, the 30th Annual Pumpkinfest.  The Town of Franklin Police Department will be handling the street closures.  

The specific details of each day’s street closures are below.

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

  • Iotla Street - closed at 5:00 p.m. for vendor set up (will not reopen until Saturday, Oct 17 after the event)

  • Phillips Street - closed at 5:00 p.m. for vendor set up (same as Iotla Street)

  • Stewart Street - closed at 5:00 p.m. for vendor set up on Phillips Street

  • No Parking on Main Street after midnight

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

  • Iotla Street - closed

  • Phillips Street - closed

  • Main Street - closure beginning at 5:00 a.m. (this includes access via Patton Ave and Derby St)

  • All streets will reopen at 6:00 p.m. following the event

 

There will be detour signs and barricades in place for closures on October 16 and 17. 

Individuals are reminded not to move barricades for the safety of everyone – both pedestrians and drivers.    

pumpkin roll pumpkinfest franklin north carolina

World Famous Pumpkin Roll - Registration begins at 10:00am

SPONSORED BY: RE/MAX Elite Realty of Franklin
The Main Attraction of PumpkinFest !

In case you're wondering, it is not something to eat (we get that question a lot), although those will be available from food vendors, it is literally seeing who can roll a pumpkin the greatest distance down Phillips Street and vying for bragging rights and the $100 grand prize.

Sign up for the Pumpkin Roll is from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with the actual “roll” from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

- Entry Fee is $1 person.

- You may bring your own pumpkin.

- Pumpkins must be in their natural state and may not be modified or altered to enhance rolling or breaking.

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ON PUMPKINS AVAILABLE AT THE FESTIVAL!

Free Pumpkin Roll Pumpkins Courtesy Bald Head Realty

FREE "Pumpkin ROLL" PUMPKINS !!

Instead of having to purchase a pumpkin for the "Pumpkin Roll" our friends at Bald Head Realty have donated a few hundred pumpkins and they will be absolutely FREE OF CHARGE as long as they last.

A BIG THANK YOU to Bald Head Realty for their wonderful contribution to PumpkinFest and their community spirit!

Stilt Walker PumpkinFest Franklin NC

Photo Ops GALORE! 10am to 3pm

You never know what you'll see this year during PumpkinFest! Rest assured we will have plenty of photo ops for you as we celebrate the 30th year of the event!!

 

pumpkinfest franklin north carolina

Kids Zone

From 9:00am to 4:00pm young ones attending PumpkinFest can enjoy our FREE Kids Zone. This area,of inflable attractions is free of charge. In addition to free inflatables, there will be free pony rides and balloon artist!

The Kids Zone will be located in the lower level parking area of Franklin Town Hall at 95 East Main Street.

pumpkinfest franklin north carolina free pony rides

FREE! Pony Rides

From 9:00am to 4:00pm "Little Rascals Ponies" will provide FREE pony rides for young ones. They truly are little and decked out in attire to celebrate the autumn season.

In addition, kids can also check out their petting zoo featuring ducks, goats, bunnies, chickens and more. While the pony rides are FREE, there is small admission fee to the petting zoo.

 

costume contest pumpkinfest franklin nc

Costume Contest & Parade 1:00pm

An annual tradition of PumpkinFest is the Costume Parade & Contest. Participants gather at Town Hall at 1:00pm and march up Main Street at 1:15pm to the Gazebo on the Square for the Contest.

Entrants are accepted in the following age groups .... 0 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, 7 to 10, 11 to 14, 15 & up! Trophies are awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place in each age group. There is no entry fee or registration required.

arts crafts pumpkinfest franklin nc

OVer 90 Arts & Crafts and Food Vendors

PumpkinFest features dozens upon dozens of great arts & crafts including fine art, woodworking, pottery, and jewelry to name a few. You can also get a taste of great festival food, enjoy free kids activities and so much more!

Franklin Downtown Merchants Association Trick or Treat Pumpkin Fest

Trick or Treating with Participating Merchants

Franklin Downtown Merchants Association members will have goodies for youngsters that want to drop by to Trick or Treat. These merchants will be offering this throughout the day.

pumpkin roll winner pumpkinfest franklin north carolina

2025 Pumpkin Roll Winner

The Town of Franklin congratulates Oaks Webb the winner of the "World Famous Pumpkin Roll" sponsored by RE/MAX Elite Realty in Franklin! Oaks is from southeastern North Carolina and took home a trophy and $100 cash for his efforts. Oaks was entry number #501 and his pumpkin rolled 704 feet! Congratulations Oaks!!

Over 700 people participated in the Pumpkin Roll during the 29th Annual PumpkinFest in downtown Franklin, North Carolina!