Pumpkinferno lights up Upper Canada Village Oct. 3–Nov. 1: What’s new, what to expect, and how to go
Pumpkinferno is back for its 14th season at Upper Canada Village—and it opens Friday, October 3, running on select evenings through November 1 (Thanksgiving included). The award-winning, after-dark walk winds through the historic village with thousands of hand-carved, glowing artificial pumpkins arranged in storybook-style tableaus. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Five brand-new displays for 2025
This year’s lineup debuts five fresh installations alongside returning fan favourites:
Gilded Garden Party (Victorian elegance), Feline Frenzy (cats, cats, cats), Rhinestone Rodeo (Western flair), Avant-Gourd Gallery (fashion-meets-pumpkin), and Under the Weather (clever spins on sun, rain, wind and more). Expect intricate sculptural scenes—all built from ultra-realistic, hand-carved artificial pumpkins created by a team of young artists who start designing each spring.
Upper Canada Village
Also returning is The Smoke Dancers, a hand-carved tribute created with Akwesasne Travel that celebrates Indigenous dance and music—a highlight from recent seasons that blends culture and light in one of the village’s most photographed vignettes.
When, where, and how to get there
Dates: Select nights Oct. 3–Nov. 1, 2025 (check the calendar when booking).
Upper Canada Village
Location: Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, ON—about an hour from Ottawa via Trans-Canada/401. On-site parking is free.
Accessibility Nights: The Village is offering special Accessibility Nights on Oct. 8, 15 & 22 to make the experience easier to enjoy for guests with accessibility needs.
Tickets and a smart way to save
Buy tickets online at pumpkinferno.com (Upper Canada Village’s ticketing portal). New this year: bundle Pumpkinferno with Alight at Night and save 25% in honour of Alight at Night’s 25th anniversary. Choose the combo at checkout for Pumpkinferno; you’ll receive a voucher you can use for Alight at Night (Nov. 28–Jan. 3).
(If you like seeing numbers before you click, the live booking page lists current combo prices per age group—useful for planning—though availability and pricing can change as nights fill up.)
Why Pumpkinferno still hits different
Upper Canada Village launched Pumpkinferno in 2012, effectively kick-starting the pumpkin-art craze across Canada. It has grown into a multi-award-winning fall tradition, with 9,000+ hand-carved, glowing pumpkins arranged in scenes that range from whimsical to wonderfully weird—all against one of the most atmospheric historic backdrops in Ontario.
Quick tips before you go
Book early, popular nights sell out. Tickets are online, in-advance only and are non-refundable/non-transferable—so pick your date carefully.
Dress for the weather. It’s a fully outdoor, self-guided walk; paths are lit but fall nights by the river can be chilly. (Check the forecast and layer up.)
Make a night of it. On-site dining options (Willard’s Hotel, Harvest Barn, BeaverTails, etc.) typically operate during event nights—handy if you want dinner or a treat before or after your time slot. Call ahead for reservations where offered.
Upper Canada Village
Photography welcome. You’ll want your phone—this show is built for “wow” shots.
The bottom line
If you’re craving a fall outing that’s family-friendly, photogenic, and uniquely Eastern Ontario, Pumpkinferno at Upper Canada Village is the move. Go for the brand-new displays, linger at The Smoke Dancers, and if you’re already planning to return for the holidays, grab the Pumpkinferno + Alight at Night combo and bank the 25% savings.
More info & tickets: pumpkinferno.com (Upper Canada Village).
