Pumpkin Festival (Castello delle Zucche)
Italy's largest pumpkin festival, set in the grounds of Castello Dal Pozzo on Lake Maggiore
About Castello delle Zucche
A world of 60,000 pumpkins on Lake Maggiore
The Pumpkin Festival, known as Castello delle Zucche, is Italy's largest event dedicated to this seasonal vegetable. It takes place in the historic park of Castello Dal Pozzo, in Oleggio Castello, a small town in the province of Novara overlooking the hills of Lake Maggiore, in Piedmont. For over a month, the historic garden is filled with more than 60,000 pumpkins of every shape and color, arranged in installations, compositions, and sculptures that turn the landscape into a unique autumn backdrop.
Sculptures, regattas, and illuminations
The heart of the exhibition lies in the large pumpkin sculptures and artistic compositions scattered along the trail. Among the most beloved attractions is the charming pumpkin regatta on the castle pond, while at dusk, illuminations wrap the park and the sculptures in warm light, creating an even more magical atmosphere.
Workshops and educational trail
The event is designed primarily for families. There are many creative workshops where children and adults can carve, decorate, and paint pumpkins, bringing small works of art to life. An educational trail guides visitors through the history of the pumpkin, its many varieties, its agricultural cycle, and its nutritional properties. There is also no shortage of entertainment, concerts, and themed games.
Taste and sustainability
Great emphasis is also placed on gastronomy: the festival menu offers numerous dishes based on pumpkin and local products, from fine pumpkin oil to pesto, in a journey that highlights seasonality, local produce, and sustainability. It is also possible to experience the castle in the evening, with exclusive dinners and dedicated overnight packages.
An autumn highlight for the whole region
Thanks to its strategic position between Novara, Lake Maggiore, and Lombardy, the Castello delle Zucche has become one of the most visited autumn destinations in Piedmont in just a few years, attracting families and curious visitors from all over Northern Italy. Entry is permitted in all weather conditions, and dogs are welcome on a leash.
Castello delle Zucche — edition 2026
The Castello delle Zucche 2026 takes place from October 1st to November 2nd in the park of Castello Dal Pozzo in Oleggio Castello (NO), every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Once again, the historic garden hosts over 60,000 pumpkins, sculptures, installations, and the famous pumpkin regatta, with creative workshops and an educational trail for all ages.
Alongside the daytime festival, the evening experiences of the Night at the Castle program return, with exclusive dinners on Fridays and Saturdays and overnight packages. Special highlights include the Halloween Dinner on October 31st at 6:00 PM with a seasonal pumpkin-based menu and the Halloween Party with a DJ set by Joe T Vannelli and a treasure hunt in the park.
Programme Castello delle Zucche 2026
Exhibition and daytime activities (Fri-Sat-Sun, 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM)
- Trail through over 60,000 pumpkins with themed sculptures and installations
- Pumpkin regatta on the castle pond
- Creative pumpkin carving, decorating, and painting workshops for children and adults
- Educational trail on the history, varieties, agricultural cycle, and nutritional values of the pumpkin
- Concerts, games, and entertainment
- Refreshment points with menus featuring typical pumpkin dishes
- Evening illuminations that wrap the park and sculptures in warm light
Night at the Castle — evening experiences
- Exclusive dinners at the castle or in a tent on Friday and Saturday evenings (also available without overnight stay)
- 1 or 2-night stay packages with dinner and festival admission, including family options
Special Halloween events
- October 31st, 6:00 PM — Halloween Dinner with a seasonal pumpkin-based menu
- Halloween Party with a DJ set by Joe T Vannelli and a treasure hunt in the garden
Specific dates for concerts and individual events are updated on the official website castellodellezucche.it.
Highlights Castello delle Zucche 2026
Prices Castello delle Zucche 2026
Practical information — Castello delle Zucche
How to get there
Castello Dal Pozzo is located at Via dal Pozzo 24 in Oleggio Castello (NO). By car, it is easily reached from the A26 motorway (Castelletto Ticino or Arona exit) and is well connected to Novara, Arona, and Lake Maggiore. For GPS navigation, we recommend setting the address to Via Monte Oleggiasco 18.
Parking
Ample free parking is available nearby, also suitable for coaches.
Opening hours
Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
Tickets
Full price for adults: €16; youths up to 18, seniors over 60, and people with disabilities: €12; children up to 14: €10; free entry for children up to 7 years old. The exhibition is not wheelchair accessible.
Contacts
Info at +39 379 314 3951 (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM) and on the official website castellodellezucche.it.
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Where does it take place — Castello delle Zucche
Castello Dal Pozzo
Via dal Pozzo 24, 28040 Oleggio Castello