Halloween in Winooski 2026: 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, a Dance Party, and a Very Spooky Farmers Market

Every Halloween, Rotary Park in downtown Winooski fills with jack-o’-lanterns. 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns. They line up across the grass, on top of walls, and on haybails throughout the park, flickering away while a DJ plays and a crowd of costumed kids and grown-ups wanders through.

As you can imagine, carving 1,000 pumpkins takes a lot of organization and volunteer power. The whole community comes out to help: neighbors, kids, seniors, college students, and anyone else who shows up at the Winooski Senior Center the week before Halloween.

When the candles are lit for this incredible display, you’re looking at a thousand little masterpieces created by a town that takes Halloween very seriously. Some are intricate. Some are cute. And some look like they may have been carved in the dark. But that’s what makes it so much fun.

Here’s everything you need to know about Halloween in Winooski 2026, from the spooky farmers market on October 25 to the quiet, sensory-friendly pumpkin glow on November 1.

How 1,000 Pumpkins Took Over Rotary Park

This event started small. The Festival of Pumpkins began in 2004 as a volunteer project in Smith Park, and over the years it kept growing until the city and Downtown Winooski got involved and moved it to Rotary Park with the goal of displaying 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns for Halloween.

Downtown Winooski has run the show since 2019, and it’s become one of the most beloved Halloween traditions in Chittenden County. If you haven’t been, this is your year!

Sunday, October 25: Halloween at the Winooski Farmers Market

The festivities kick off with a Halloween edition of the Winooski Farmers Market from 10 am to 2 pm at 20 Winooski Falls Way.

It’s the last Sunday market in October, and it’s a good warm-up if you want to ease into (and make the most of) spooky season.

Early birds (literally) can join Audubon Vermont for a bird walk along the Winooski River Walk from 9:30 to 10 am. Meet at their tent.

Later, Audubon will challenge you to “Are You Smarter Than a Crow?” with puzzles crows and other corvids have solved in research studies.

Kids can hunt for potion ingredients on a scavenger hunt, paint pumpkins, toss rings onto witch hats, and try their hand at gourd bowling. DJ Sonic Geography will be spinning all morning.

Guest vendors this year include Slipstitchinsarah Crochet Art, The Fae Horde, Scaredy Cat Art, Arcana Botanica Spirits, Audubon Vermont, and Vermont Wild Kitchen.

October 27 to 29: Help Carve the Pumpkins

Did you know that all 1,000 pumpkins are carved by volunteers and community members at the Winooski Senior Center? Head to 123 Barlow Street to help out: there’s a big free parking lot on site.

Open carving hours:

• Tuesday, October 27: 10 am to 4 pm and 5 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, October 28: 10 am to noon (Senior Carving Breakfast), noon to 4 pm, and 5 to 8 pm
• Thursday, October 29: 10 am to 4 pm, and 5 to 7 pm for the Downtown Winooski Carving Party with music and refreshments

Carving closes from 4 to 5 pm each day so the crew can prep pumpkins for the evening session.

Thursday night’s carving party will be the most social, with music and snacks. If you’d rather carve at your own kitchen table, you can pick up a pumpkin during any open carving hours and take it home. Just bring it back by Friday so it’s ready for the weekend glow-up.

Want to get more involved? Downtown Winooski welcomes volunteers to scoop pumpkin guts, help with setup, and work on Halloween night. You can show up anytime, but signing up ahead helps them plan. Volunteers under 18 need to come with an adult. Sign up to volunteer here.

Friday, October 30: Great Pumpkin Pancake Party and Storytime

Families with little ones can head to the Winooski Memorial Library from 3:30 to 4:30 pm for a read-aloud of The Great Pumpkin Pancake Party by Celeste Pewter, followed by making and eating pumpkin pancakes. Kids of all ages and their caregivers are welcome.

Saturday, October 31: Halloween in the Rotary

The Festival of Pumpkins fills Rotary Park, and there’s so much going on.

4 to 6 pm: Kids Party

The early shift belongs to the kiddos. They can decorate trick-or-treat bags and then put them to work with business trick-or-treating around downtown.

The event includes a pumpkin scavenger hunt, Halloween carnival games, free face painting, and a StoryWalk from the Winooski Memorial Library featuring The Goblin Twin by Frances Cha. DJ Matt Hagen leads a kids’ dance party, and you can buy drinks from Specs and snacks from Downtown Winooski.

6 to 9 pm: Nightfall

At 6 pm, the pumpkins are lit, and Rotary Park glows from head to toe.

DJ Crwd Ctrl takes over for a dance party, and at 6:45 pm, drag performers Sasha Sriracha, Alaskan Pipeline, Jizzo, and Lucy Goosey take the stage. There’s a photo booth, button making by donation, and a mystical row of readers if you want to know what the future holds: tarot from Bear Moon Botanica, mini astrology readings from The Little Cat, and palm readings from Nikki Leigh (all for sale). Specs and Downtown Winooski will have drinks and snacks.

Sunday, November 1: Sensory Friendly Sunday

If the idea of a crowded park and a DJ makes you want to hide under a blanket, this one’s for you. The pumpkins glow for a second night from 6 to 9 pm, without the crowds and without the music.

I love that this exists. It’s a great option for families with kids who are easily overwhelmed or anyone who prefers a quiet stroll through the magical pumpkin display.

Tips for Visiting Halloween in Winooski

Park in the Cascades Parking Garage. It’s free during the events, and it lets you out right at the Rotary (second floor) or Winooski Falls Way (first floor).

Dress for Vermont’s unpredictable weather. It’s the end of October, and temperatures drop fast once the sun goes down. A superhero cape layers nicely over a fleece or flannel.

No one does Halloween like Winooski, so put this one on your calendar!

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