KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The 2026 Keene Pumpkin Festival is still a few weeks away, but organizers are already looking for volunteers and financial support to help make the annual downtown celebration a success.

Mike Giacomo, chair of the Let It Shine Board, recently spoke with WKBK about plans for this year’s festival, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, in downtown Keene. The free, family-focused event will feature activities and entertainment throughout the downtown area.

The festival will include free pumpkin carving in Railroad Square, the annual school pumpkin display along Main Street, vendors, three entertainment stages, trick-or-treating and a variety of activities for children. The UCC Church haunted alley will return, and participating downtown businesses will take part in a candy-corn discovery activity.

About 4,400 children from schools across Cheshire County are expected to participate in the school pumpkin display.

This year’s festival will also feature a redesigned interactive tower in Railroad Square. The tower is usually in Central Square but was moved this year due to the ongoing Downtown Infrastructure project, and is expected to be lit at about 5:30 p.m., around sunset.

Entertainment will take place on three stages. The main stage will be located near Birdies, while Gilbo Ave will host local dance troupes and the Colonial Theater area will feature a singer-songwriter stage.

Road closures are expected to begin around 8:30 to 9 a.m., with festival programming getting underway at 2 p.m. Trick-or-treating is scheduled for 3 to 5 p.m. The festival is expected to wrap up at 7 p.m., with attendees asked to clear the festival footprint by about 7:30 p.m. to allow for cleanup.

The exact footprint of this year’s festival is still being finalized because of ongoing construction in Central Square. City Council is expected to consider Thursday whether activities can expand into portions of the square. Organizers have prepared contingency plans for both the existing footprint and a potential expanded layout, while also working with the construction contractor on how the event could operate around the construction area.

Organizers say volunteers will be an important part of putting the festival together and keeping activities running throughout the day. Financial support, including donations and business sponsorships, is also being sought.

Those interested in volunteering or supporting the festival can find more information at pumpkinfestival.org. Organizers also note that keenpumpkinfest.com is not affiliated with the Keene Pumpkin Festival.