September 2 to November 6, 2016 at Blühendes Barock (Baroque in Bloom) Ludwigsburg Family (and Dog) Friendly

Just 30 minutes from Stuttgart's Patch Barracks (and 2 hours from Ramstein Air Base) you'll find one of the biggest fall, pumpkin festivals not only in Germany, but in the world (over 450,00 pumpkins)! The event is held in Ludwigsburg at the Baroque Gardens of the Ludwigsburg Castle. The Festival is open every day from 9:00 till 20:30, and the farm and souvenir shops are open from 10:00 till 18:00. It's important to note that the event is outdoors, and therefore, the natural light of the day is the only light available; so be sure to come on a nice fall day so that you can enjoy all of the exhibits and activities. Entry costs are paid directly to the Baroque Gardens and are around € 8.50 for adults and € 4.20 for children and students (with a valid student ID). Family tickets, group discounts and evening discounts (after 17:30) are also available. Visit the Baroque Garden’s website for more details on pricing. http://www.blueba.de/eintritt-oeffnungszeiten.html

The Perfect Place to Fall into the Season

The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin festival is home to a number of pumpkin and fall themed events! Here you'll find giant pumpkin sculptures and artistic pumpkin carvings! This year’s theme is “The Pumpkin Circus is Coming to Town!” You won't want to miss the festival’s gourmet pumpkin specialties (food and drinks): Pumpkin Tarte Flambé, Pumpkin Popcorn, Pumpkin Burger, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Soup and more! There will also be live entertainment and music on Saturdays. For the kids you'll find storytelling, a Halloween pumpkin carving tent, and a straw castle for them to play in!

This festival is also a great place for you to purchase all your fall decorations, from professionally carved pumpkins to decorative pumpkins and gourds. The farmers’ market here can offer you culinary pumpkins and other various farm treats for the wonderful fall season. 

For more information about the festival check out their website:

http://www.kuerbisausstellung-ludwigsburg.de/en#blueba

Here, a highlight of some of this year’s fun filled events:

Giant Pumpkin and Squash Showcase: Daily

Pumpkin Smash: The largest pumpkin will be smashed at the end of the festival!

Also:

“Famous Pumpkin Carver Ray Villafane”:
Thurs. Sept. 15 - Sun. Sept. 18, 2016
Pumpkin Festival Grounds
Opening daily at 11 a.m.
“The American pumpkin-carving artist Ray Villafane will be in Ludwigsburg for the 4th year in a row. Together with his team from Villafane Studios, he will carve blue and red hubbard pumpkins, bringing the next chapter of his popular story of the cuddly little Hubbards to life.”

“SAFE AND SOUND TO SCHOOL”
Let pumpkins tell the story of school safety

Sat. Sept. 17 & Sun. Sept. 18, 2016
Blühendes Barock
Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. / Sun. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

“Let pumpkins tell the story of school safety. On September 17 and 18, 2016, we are once again looking forward to visits from school children from all grade levels and their parents at our special event "Safe and Sound to School", part of the Pumpkin Festival at Blühendes Barock. The activity kiosks are open on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.”

“PUMPKIN CANOE REGATTA”
Paddle in a giant hollowed-out gourd

Sunday, September 18, 2016
South Garden, Blühendes Barock
Starting at 12:30 p.m.

“At this event, daring pumpkin canoe enthusiasts climb aboard gigantic hollowed-out gourds and try to paddle to victory on Castle Lake. The spectacular Pumpkin Regatta has already been a guest on the television program “Wetten Dass...?” Those who would like to paddle along must per-register. We're looking forward to meeting courageous canoers!”