KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Thousands of glowing jack-o’-lanterns, live music, costumed kids and the unmistakable spirit of autumn will take over downtown Keene on Saturday as the Keene Pumpkin Festival returns for a full afternoon of family-friendly activities.

The annual celebration is scheduled for noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 17, with free pumpkin carving, a children’s costume parade, trick-or-treating at local businesses and performances by musicians and community organizations. The event will also feature the return of the festival’s giant pumpkin, with organizers adapting the traditional layout to accommodate Keene’s ongoing downtown reconstruction project.

A New Home for the Giant Pumpkin

One of the most recognizable sights of Pumpkin Festival will have a new location this year. The towering display of pumpkins that traditionally occupies Central Square has been relocated to Railroad Square while construction continues downtown.

The tower’s oversized jack-o’-lantern is expected to weigh about 700 pounds, according to Mike Giacomo, president of Let It Shine, the organization behind the festival.

Railroad Square will also host free pumpkin carving beginning at 2 p.m. The activity, hosted by Elm City Rotary with support from C&S Wholesale Grocers, gives visitors a chance to create their own jack-o’-lanterns. Organizers said there may also be space on the pumpkin tower to display some of the finished creations.

Central Square remains part of the festivities, with vendors, children’s activities and a mix of free and paid crafts.

Along Main Street, visitors can find thousands of pumpkins carved by local schoolchildren. A school-by-school display map is available through the Keene Pumpkin Festival Facebook page.

Parade, Candy and Family Activities

Families looking to make an afternoon of the festival will have several scheduled activities to choose from.

The children’s costume parade begins assembling at 2 p.m. at the corner of Main and West streets. Led by A Company of Witches, the parade offers young festivalgoers an opportunity to show off their Halloween costumes.

Downtown trick-or-treating follows from 3 to 5 p.m., with 32 participating businesses offering candy, allergy-friendly options and other non-candy treats. Visitors can identify participating locations by the Pumpkin Festival signs displayed in storefront windows.

Blue pumpkins will mark locations offering allergy-friendly or non-candy alternatives. A map of participating businesses is available on the festival’s Facebook page.

A new scavenger hunt will add another activity for families exploring downtown while encouraging visitors to stop at local businesses.

Three Stages of Entertainment

This year’s festival expands its entertainment lineup to three stages, providing performances at locations around downtown.

The South Stage near The Colonial Theatre opens at 2:15 p.m. with the Monadnock Mavericks, followed by Inhail at 3:30 p.m., the Sonntag Jazz Collective at 4:15 p.m. and A Company of Witches at 5 p.m.

At the Gilbo Avenue Stage, MoCo Arts performs at 2:15 p.m., followed by A Company of Witches at 3 p.m., NHDI at 3:45 p.m., Keene State College Dance at 4:30 p.m. and Kathryn Scarpetti at 5:15 p.m.

The Main Stage (at the north end of Main Street, Roxbury Street side) lineup begins at 2:15 p.m. with Cheshire Moon, followed by Saguaro at 3:45 p.m. and Modern Fools at 5:15 p.m.

The performances feature a mix of regional musicians and local arts organizations, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to catch live entertainment while exploring the festival.

Festival Merchandise and Fall Scents

Visitors can also take home a piece of the celebration through festival merchandise.

Kringle Candle has created a collection of fall-inspired scents for the event, including “Sugar Shack,” “Autumn Stroll on Main” and “Pumpkin Fest Blend.” The company also supplies candles used in the jack-o’-lantern displays along Main Street.

The specialty candles will be available at the Pumpkin Festival Headquarters booth and through the festival’s online store.

Douglas Cuddle Toys will offer plush toys featuring Pumpkin Festival bandanas, with additional merchandise including clothing and stickers also available at the headquarters booth and online.

Plan Ahead for Parking and Construction

The festival’s expanded footprint comes as Keene continues work on its major downtown infrastructure project. With Central Square and surrounding streets affected by construction, visitors should plan for a different arrival and walking experience than in past years.

Parking is available at Optical Avenue and in the downtown lots on Gilbo Avenue and Commercial Street. A free shuttle will run between Optical Avenue and downtown Keene approximately every 15 to 20 minutes throughout the event.

The festival area, including Central Square and Main Street, will be closed to vehicle traffic. Visitors should allow time to park and walk, follow posted detours and check current event information before heading downtown.

Dogs are not permitted at the festival under the city ordinance governing downtown events.

Despite the construction-related changes, the festival will continue its familiar tradition of bringing the community together around pumpkins, entertainment and seasonal activities — while giving visitors another reason to explore and support Keene’s downtown businesses.

Keene Pumpkin Festival: If You Go

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 7 p.m.

Where: Downtown Keene, including Central Square, Main Street, Railroad Square and Gilbo Avenue

Free activities: Pumpkin carving beginning at 2 p.m., children’s costume parade at 2 p.m. and downtown trick-or-treating from 3 to 5 p.m.

Parking: Optical Avenue and the Gilbo Avenue and Commercial Street lots

Shuttle: Free service between Optical Avenue and downtown every 15 to 20 minutes

For updates, maps and additional event information, visit the Keene Pumpkin Festival 2026 Facebook page.