- Travelers can choose pumpkins, take a scenic hayride, explore themed attractions, enjoy food, listen to live entertainment on weekends, and participate in activities designed primarily around family fun.
- For families, a maze offers a good change of pace between rides and other attractions while retaining the classic harvest-festival atmosphere.
- Country Junction also lists a kids' area, petting farm, pedal carts, and Pirate Ship among its weekday festival includes, adding plenty of options for younger visitors.
- Hickory Run is an excellent addition for travellers who want to bring together family fall activities in the Poconos with nature.
- For families and groups turning the event into a weekend trip, a private vacation rental offers more space to relax together after a busy festival day.
- If you are looking for rentals in the Poconos, choose HolidayKeepers.
Pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, live entertainment, and crisp Pennsylvania autumn weather: the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival 2026 brings together many of the experiences families look forward to during fall.
The festival returns to Country Junction in Lehighton from September 26 through October 25, 2026. Country Junction’s current festival page says the event is open daily, with its main weekend experience running from 11 AM to 6 PM.
For families planning a Poconos fall getaway, the festival can easily become the centrepiece of a full weekend incorporating fall foliage, nearby state parks, scenic drives, and a comfortable vacation rental.
Here’s what to know before you go.
Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | 2026 Information |
| Dates | September 26–October 25, 2026 |
| Location | Country Junction |
| Address | 6565 Interchange Road, Lehighton, PA 18235 |
| Weekend Hours | 11 AM–6 PM |
| Weekend Admission | $15 per person |
| Children | Ages 2 and under are free. |
| Group Rate | $12 per person for groups of 15+ |
| Pets | Welcome. |
| Best For | Families, children, groups, and fall getaways |
Country Junction recommends checking current event information before travelling, particularly because activities and special programming can differ between weekdays and weekends.
What Is the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival?
The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival is Country Junction’s annual autumn celebration in Lehighton. Rather than functioning only as a pumpkin patch, it combines traditional harvest activities with family attractions and entertainment.
Visitors can choose pumpkins, take a scenic hayride, explore themed attractions, enjoy food, listen to live entertainment on weekends, and participate in activities designed primarily around family fun.
The setting also helps make the event useful for travellers. Lehighton sits close to several popular Pocono destinations, allowing families to combine the festival with a broader day or weekend exploring the mountains.
What’s New at the 2026 Festival?
Returning visitors have several new experiences to look forward to this year.
1. Wizard of Oz Hayride
One of the headline additions for 2026 is the Wizard of Oz Hayride.
The themed ride takes guests through a Munchkinland-inspired experience toward an Emerald City tunnel. It’s a playful update to the classic fall hayride and one of the main new family attractions being promoted by Country Junction this season.
2. Tricky Trail Corn Maze
The new Tricky Trail adds an interactive maze experience to the festival.
For families, a maze provides a good change of pace between rides and other attractions while retaining the classic harvest-festival atmosphere.
3. Bigfoot Paintball Run
For visitors looking for something more energetic, the festival has also introduced a Bigfoot-themed paintball experience.
Country Junction lists paintball among activities that may involve an additional fee, so check what’s included in your chosen ticket before visiting.
Best Things to Do at the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
There’s enough variety here that it’s worth allowing several hours rather than treating the festival as a quick pumpkin-shopping stop.
1. Take a Scenic Hayride
Few experiences feel more traditionally autumnal than climbing aboard a hayride surrounded by changing leaves.
For 2026, the new Wizard of Oz theme gives the ride an additional entertainment element, particularly for younger children.
2. Explore the 3D Pumpkin Fun House
The 3D Pumpkin Fun House adds an indoor, immersive attraction to the day. It’s also useful when your group wants a short break between outdoor activities.
3. Navigate the Tricky Trail
Let the family test their navigation skills together in the new interactive autumn maze. It is one of the easiest activities to turn into a friendly competition between children and adults.
4. Play Laser Tag
The festival isn’t limited to traditional harvest activities. Weekend admission currently includes laser tag, giving older children and groups something more action-oriented to try.
5. Visit the Kids’ Area and Petting Farm
Country Junction also lists a kids’ area, petting farm, pedal carts, and Pirate Ship among its weekday festival features, adding plenty of options for younger visitors.
6. Pick Your Fall Pumpkin
Of course, you can’t have a Pocono Pumpkin Festival without pumpkins.
Take some time to browse the seasonal displays and choose a pumpkin to bring home. It’s a simple part of the experience, but often the one children remember most.
How Much Are Tickets?
Country Junction currently lists weekend general admission at $15 per person, with children aged two and younger admitted free.
Groups of 15 or more can currently receive a $12-per-person group rate. The festival is also advertising half-price weekday admission, although the selection of weekday attractions differs from the full weekend experience.
Weekend tickets include access to festival activities, live entertainment from noon to 3 PM, food trucks, and laser tag, according to the organizer. Some optional attractions may carry separate charges.
Is the Festival Good for Families?
Absolutely. This is one of the more family-orientated fall festivals in the Poconos.
The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau specifically highlights the event for families with younger children. Between hayrides, pumpkins, the maze, kids’ attractions, live entertainment, and other activities, it’s possible to keep different age groups occupied without constantly moving between venues.
For parents, arriving relatively early is worthwhile. You’ll have more time to explore before younger children become tired, and you won’t need to rush through activities late in the afternoon.
What Should You Bring?
Fall weather in the mountains can change considerably during the festival’s month-long run.
Late September may still produce mild afternoons, while late October can feel significantly cooler.
Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes. A light jacket, water bottle, sunscreen, and a small bag for children’s essentials can make the day easier.
And don’t forget your phone or camera; the pumpkins and autumn scenery create plenty of opportunities for family photos.
Things to Do Near the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
Don’t rush home after the pumpkins.
1. Explore Hickory Run State Park
Hickory Run is an excellent addition for travellers who want to combine family fall activities in the Poconos with nature.
Depending on your schedule and group, you can explore hiking opportunities, forest scenery, and the park’s famous Boulder Field.
2. Spend Time Around Lake Harmony
Lake Harmony makes another convenient addition to an autumn itinerary, particularly if your accommodation is in the area.
Combine the lake with nearby scenic roads, outdoor recreation, restaurants, and foliage viewing.
3. Take a Scenic Fall Drive
Late September through October overlaps with the region’s foliage season. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau maintains a weekly fall foliage forecast, which can help travelers determine where colours are progressing during their visit.
Instead of taking the quickest route between attractions, build a little extra time into the schedule and enjoy the scenery.
Where to Stay for the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival
For families and groups turning the event into a weekend trip, a private vacation rental provides more space to relax together after a busy festival day.HolidayKeepers offers several distinctive options depending on your group size.
A. 174 Acre Luxury Mansion Rental with Private Pool
For a very large group or multi-family getaway, this private 174-acre luxury mansion accommodates 43+ guests.
The property offers a private movie theatre, game room, large hot tub, indoor fireplace, pool, bar area, and extensive gathering space. That makes it especially useful when several families want to experience the festival together while having plenty to do after returning home.
B. Mesmerizing Villa for Rent with Indoor Pool
This private villa accommodates 30+ guests and is particularly appealing for unpredictable autumn weather.
The indoor lap pool, private sauna, home theatre, gaming area, fireplace, and bar create plenty of entertainment indoors, while an outdoor fire pit and BBQ area suit crisp fall evenings.
Its location also makes Lake Harmony, Hickory Run, and other central Pocono attractions convenient additions to a festival weekend.
C. 5BR Lake Harmony Cabin with Serene Views
For a classic autumn mountain atmosphere, this 5-bedroom Lake Harmony cabin accommodates 16+ guests.
The private hot tub, outdoor fireplace/fire pit, patio, heated floors, and forest setting make it particularly well suited to fall. It is also approximately 4.2 miles from Hickory Run State Park, making it easy to combine pumpkin-festival fun with a foliage hike.
Why the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival Is Worth Adding to Your Fall Trip
What makes the festival useful from a travel-planning perspective is its variety.
You can enjoy the classic autumn traditions, pumpkins, and hayrides, without limiting the day to those experiences. Mazes, laser tag, live entertainment, themed attractions, food, children’s activities, and special weekend programming make it easier to entertain a mixed-age family or group.
And because it runs from late September through most of October, you have considerably more flexibility than with a one-weekend event.
Conclusion
The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival 2026 offers an easy way to experience the playful side of autumn in the Pocono region.
Visit Country Junction between September 26 and October 25, 2026, and you can build a day around pumpkins, the Wizard of Oz Hayride, the Tricky Trail, laser tag, family attractions, food, and weekend entertainment. Then extend the experience with foliage viewing, Hickory Run State Park, Lake Harmony, and a relaxing evening back at your HolidayKeepers vacation home.
For families and groups, that combination turns a few hours at a pumpkin festival in the Poconos into a complete fall weekend.
Planning to stay overnight? Visit the HolidayKeepers Contact page for help choosing the right vacation rental for your family or group.
FAQs
1. When is the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival in 2026?
A: The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival 2026 runs from September 26 through October 25 at Country Junction in Lehighton. The organiser currently advertises daily festival availability, with the primary weekend experience running from 11 AM to 6 PM.
2. How much does the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival cost?
A: Current 2026 weekend admission is $15 per person, while children aged two and under are free. Country Junction also lists discounted weekday admission and a $12-per-person rate for groups of 15 or more.
3. What activities are available at the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival?
A: Activities include scenic hayrides, the 3D Pumpkin Fun House, Tricky Trail, laser tag, pedal carts, children’s activities, pumpkins, live weekend entertainment, and more. Some optional attractions may require an additional fee.
4. Is the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival pet-friendly?
A: Yes. Country Junction’s current 2026 festival information states that pets are welcome. Visitors bringing a pet should check the organiser’s latest rules before arrival.
