The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival
The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival is an annual event that draws visitors from all over the world. It takes place in the city of Ludwigsburg, Germany, and it is the largest pumpkin festival in the world. The festival takes place in the grounds of the Ludwigsburg Palace, which is one of the most stunning Baroque palaces in Europe. Here’s everything you need to know about planning and visiting the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival.
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Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival
The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival, also known as Kürbisausstellung Ludwigsburg, is the largest pumpkin festival in the world with over 400,000 pumpkins!
Every year, the theme for the pumpkin festival changes. In 2022, the theme was rainforest and in 2023, fire. For 2024, the theme is Women Power!
In addition to all the pumpkins, there are also numerous sand sculptures throughout the garden grounds.
When & Where
The pumpkin festival runs annually from late August to early December in Ludwigsburg, Germany.
The 2024 pumpkin festival dates starts August 23rd to November 3rd.
Once the end of fall hits, the pumpkin festival closes earlier as the sun sets. Starting October 26th, the pumpkin displays illuminate at night, which extends until December 1st.
Hours:
- Exhibition: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
- Gastronomy: 10:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Courtyard/Souvenir Shop: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Pumpkin Sale: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
The pumpkin festival is held at Ludwigsburg Palace, in the Palace Gardens in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Ludwigsburg is located about 2 and a half hours south of Frankfurt.
Address: Blooming Baroque, 71640 Ludwigsburg | Google Maps
Traveling to Ludwigsburg
Ludwigsburg is located in the southwest of Germany, close to the city of Stuttgart. There are quite a few ways to get there by either plane, public transportation, or car depending on your origin.
If you’re from out of the country or the United States, the easiest way to get to there is by plane. You will fly into Stuttgart Airport. From there, you can take a train or a bus to Ludwigsburg.
Alternatively, if you are coming from other parts of Germany, you can take a train. Check out Deutsche Bahn for all trains in Germany. When arriving to the Ludwigsburg station, it’s a short, pleasant walk to the palace gardens.
For the military located in Germany, Ludwigsburg and the pumpkin festival can be the perfect day trip. The drive from the KMC is about 2 hours, Grafenwohr is about 3 hours, Wiesbaden is about 2 hour drive, and Stuttgart is a short 30 minute drive.
Parking
If you are planning to drive to the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival, there is ample parking available around the palace and city. However, I recommend arriving early to avoid the crowds and to secure a good parking spot.
We found parking here right near the Palace and paid for a few hours of parking. For some additional parking options, you can look into:
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets are needed to attend the pumpkin festival. A ticket for the festival is actually the cost of admission to the Palace Gardens. You can purchase tickets in advance here or when you arrive on site.
Your ticket gives you access to all gardens, the visit to the fairytale garden, and the “boat driving” in the fairy tale stream while visiting.
The 2024 admission prices:
- Adults: €13.00 Weekdays | €14.00 Weekends
- Children: €5.50 Weekdays | €6.00 Weekends
- Family Tickets: Range from €22.50 to €38.00 depending on family size and day of the week
Events & Activities
There are numerous events that take place throughout the pumpkin festival.
Events in September: The Pumpkin Variety Show, Pumpkin Regatta, Pumpkin Carving, Germany’s Largest Pumpkin Soup
Events in October: German Championship in Pumpkin Cradle, Giant Pumpkin Carving Festival, Halloween Pumpkin Carving for Everyone
Dream Paths
From October 26th until December 1st, Dream Paths illuminates the palace gardens and pumpkin displays. You will need a separate ticket for attending, which costs €14.50 for adults and €7.00 for children ages 4 to 14.
The illuminated tour of the “Luminous Dream Paths” begins with the fall of darkness. There are water installations, fog, illuminations, and laser effects that turn the park landscape in a completely different way.
You can purchase your “Leuchtende Traumpfade” ticket, which will start at 3:00 pm until it closes at 9:30 pm.
All the Pumpkin Food, Drink, and Souvenirs
The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival offers a wide range of food options to suit all tastes. From traditional German cuisine to international food, there is something for everyone.
Since pumpkin is such a diverse vegetable, several foods can be made with it. Some pumpkin-themed foods include pumpkin pie, pumpkin curry, and pumpkin spätzle.
In addition to food, there are also plenty of drink options available, including all the pumpkin beer, wine, and cider. There are also pumpkin snacks sold throughout the shops, as well as other pumpkin themed souvenirs.
Roasted pumpkin seeds, jams, fruit spreads, as well as pumpkin seeds to grow your own pumpkins are sold in the shops. The flavored pumpkin seeds were absolutely amazing, I left with 3 bags!
Fairytale Garden
There are more than pumpkins located at the festival and Palace to see and wander through, especially for children.
Take a stroll through the fairytale gardens to see where Sleeping Beauty lives, climb the stairs to the castle to see Rapunzel’s long hair, play in the playground, and take a boat tour along the stream.
Look for all your favorite characters from your most beloved stories. You can even enter the castle and walk down the stairs for a way out.
Visiting the Palace
The Ludwigsburg Palace is a must-see attraction when visiting the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival. The palace was built in the 18th century and is an impressive example of Baroque architecture.
You can visit the Palace in addition to attending the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival, but there is an additional ticket needed. The interior rooms of the palace can only be visited as part of a guided tour.
English guided tours are only available from April 1st to October 31st, Monday – Friday and public holidays at 1:15 pm and 3:15 pm.
Admission prices: €9.00 for adults, €4.50 for reduced/children, €22.50 for families
Hours for the Palace:
- March 23 – November 1:
- Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | Saturday/Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- January 8 – February 9:
- Monday – Friday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Saturday/Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- February 10 – February 18:
- Monday – Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- February 19 – March 22:
- Friday 11:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Saturday/Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tips on Visiting Ludwigsburg
The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival is a popular event, so it is best to plan your visit in advance. Here are some tips to make the most out of your experience.
Plan Ahead
Purchase your tickets online in advance to avoid the ticket lines. I also recommend planning on visiting during the weekday to avoid the crowds and lines. Personally, I choose to arrive right after it opens so I can explore and take picture without many people in there.
I also recommend visiting in the early months and not waiting until end of October or November. My second year visiting, we went at the end of November and a lot of pumpkins were falling off the displays and rotting, as well as half of the sand sculptures were down, on top of it being rainy.
Don’t forget to check the weather forecast before your visit and dress accordingly. Weather in Germany can be quite unpredictable.
Cash or Card?
Cash is key when doing anything in Germany, so keep some euro on you if you want to purchase anything.
A lot of the stands and shops take card, as well as purchasing your entrance tickets, but quite a few food and drink options were euro cash only.
What to Bring
I always recommend bringing your own water and a few snacks wherever you go for the ease, as well as to stay hydrated. I don’t go anywhere without my reusable water bottle in my bag.
Also, you cannot miss taking all the beautiful pictures without a camera. This little Sony is the perfect size to fit in any bag, while taking pictures of all the pumpkin displays. It’s one of my favorites when I don’t want to bring out my bigger DSLR camera.
Due to the unpredictable weather in Germany, I also recommend bringing an umbrella in case of rain. Once the fall hits, you can experience multiple seasons of weather in one day.
Are Dogs Allowed?
Bringing a dog is generally allowed, but there are a few restrictions to keep in mind. The dogs must always be kept on a short leash during the visit.
The dogs must also be kept away from the lawns, gardens, and play areas. If your dog does happen to go to the bathroom, you are obliged to remove the feces immediately.
The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival is a true autumn gem, offering a sensory feast for visitors of all ages. With its stunning displays, delectable culinary offerings, and family-friendly activities, it’s a celebration that captures the essence of the season. So, don your coziest sweater and embark on a whimsical journey through a world where pumpkins reign supreme. Your heart and taste buds will absolutely thank you.
