Jucker Farm Pumpkin Festival
It’s that time of year again to gaze in amazement at pumpkins displayed in the most spectacular sculptures you can imagine.
The leaves are starting to change to warm colours like crimson and gold and many Swiss events and festivals show signs of fruitful harvests, such as Aargau Carrot Market and Bern Onion Market. So what better way to celebrate the autumn than by visiting a pumpkin festival?
Jucker Farm Pumpkin Festival in Canton Zurich
Jucker Farm Pumpkin Festival, taking place in Seegräben, Jona, Rafz and Kloten, offers a full day of fun for the whole family, with events and activities for all ages. Jucker Farm is a Swiss agrotourism organisation based in Canton Zurich and has been organising this dazzling pumpkin festival each year since the late 1990s at each of its locations.
You're likely to be astonished by many of the exhibits: the biggest pumpkins and squashes you’ve ever seen, mesmerising mosaic-like pumpkin sculptures and intricate pumpkin carving - it’s all possible at the pumpkin festival. You can even try your hand at pumpkin carving, or at least you can purchase some pumpkins to carve them at home.
Most of the bewildering pumpkins are grown in Rafz and freshness is always guaranteed. You can sample freshly made pumpkin dishes, cakes, pies, soup and other local specialities and beer, not to mention delicious ice cream!
Pumpkin Festival locations
Jucker Farm hosts the event in the following farms:
- Juckerhof in Seegräben
- Bächlihof in Jona
- Spargelhof in Rafz
- Römerhof in Kloten
A programme full of pumpkin-related events
The pumpkin festival offers a full schedule of events, including pumpkin gastronomy, artistic carving including lanterns and sculptures, pumpkin variety shows, pumpkin weigh-offs and even a pumpkin slaughter event! This year sees a jungle theme taking form.
There are also storytelling sessions, games and activities to keep the kids entertained. Don't forget to visit the pumpkin shops before you leave though, because the souvenirs are always worth having and the festival even lets you purchase your very own pumpkins to take home!!
Attending Jucker Farm Pumpkin Festival
Are you looking to grab a glimpse (or even a taste) of pumpkin this autumn? The Pumpkin Festival is open from 9am to 8.30pm, seven days a week, until December 3. The venues are easily accessible by both car and public transport.
For all the details on the full programme and to get your tickets, head on over to the official Jucker Farm website (in German), and to read more about the festival, check out the NewinZurich event page (in English). As well as the aforementioned venues in Canton Zurich, Jucker Farm also organises Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in Germany.