Community

There may still be plenty of warm afternoons ahead, but pumpkin season has officially arrived in Central Texas.

Across Austin and the surrounding communities, farms, churches and fall festivals are setting out pumpkins, opening corn mazes and preparing hayrides, animals and family activities for the 2026 season. Some are simple neighborhood pumpkin patches where families can pick out a jack-o'-lantern and take a few fall photos. Others have grown into full-day destinations with rides, entertainment, food and acres of activities.

For families in Austin, Jarrell, Elgin, Maxwell and communities throughout the greater Austin area, that means there is no shortage of choices, whether the goal is staying close to home or turning pumpkin picking into a Saturday road trip.

Here are some of the pumpkin patches and fall festivals scheduled across the Austin area this fall.

Bethany Pumpkin Patch | Austin

One of Austin's longtime neighborhood pumpkin traditions returns to Bethany United Methodist Church in northwest Austin this October.

Bethany has hosted its pumpkin patch since 1992, giving families a place to shop for pumpkins ranging from minis and pie pumpkins to traditional carving pumpkins. The patch also offers seasonal photo opportunities and free games and activities throughout the month.

Special activities scheduled during the season include pumpkin painting, face painting, a car show, preschool story times and an October 25 Trunk or Treat.

• Dates: October 4 through October 31, 2026
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pumpkin sales close at 6 p.m. on October 31.
• Location: 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750 (Google Maps)

Northwest Family YMCA Floating Pumpkin Patch | Austin

Austin families looking for something a little different can trade the hayfield for a swimming pool at the Northwest Family YMCA Floating Pumpkin Patch.

Scheduled for October 9, the annual fundraiser sends pumpkins floating into the YMCA pool, where participants can swim out, choose one and decorate it afterward. Registration includes one pumpkin, open swim time and decorating supplies, with proceeds supporting the Greater Austin YMCA.

The event is open to the community, although swimmers need a current Greater Austin YMCA swim test on file to participate in the pool portion.

• Date: October 9, 2026
• Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Admission: $15 per participant
• Location: Northwest Family YMCA, 5807 McNeil Drive, Austin, TX 78729 (Google Maps)

Hill Country Pumpkins | West Austin Area

For families who want a more laid-back pumpkin stop without paying a general admission charge, Hill Country Pumpkins is returning just west of Austin.

Located about four miles west of the Oak Hill "Y" on U.S. 290, the seasonal patch plans to open daily from September 25 through Halloween. Admission is free, and the site advertises a large selection of pumpkins along with bounce houses for children, hot cider, coffee, snacks and drinks.

That makes it an easy option for families who want pumpkins and fall pictures without committing an entire day to a larger festival.

• Dates: September 25 through October 31, 2026
• Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Admission: Free
• Location: Approximately four miles west of the Oak Hill "Y" on U.S. 290 (Google Maps)

Indian Springs Ranch Fall Festival | Manchaca

Just south of Austin, Indian Springs Ranch combines a traditional pumpkin patch with something families will not find at most fall festivals: camels, zebras, buffalo, llamas and other animals.

Its 2026 Fall Festival runs from September 26 through November 1 and features more than 30 varieties of pumpkins, rustic fall photo settings and opportunities to see the ranch's collection of animals.

The ranch is also using timed arrival tickets on its busiest days this season to help manage parking, entry lines and crowd levels.

• Dates: September 26 through November 1, 2026
• Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Select October weekends open at 9 a.m. The ranch is also open October 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: $12 plus taxes and fees on Thursdays and Fridays; $17 plus taxes and fees on weekends. Children younger than 2 are free.
• Location: 403 Elm View Way, Manchaca, TX 78652 (Google Maps)

Mama Mary's Farm & Pumpkin Patch | Creedmoor

Less than 30 minutes from Austin, Mama Mary's Farm & Pumpkin Patch turns a working family farm in Creedmoor into a fall destination each year.

The farm's 2026 pumpkin season runs from September 26 through November 8. In addition to its pumpkin patch and family photo areas, seasonal activities include hayrides, barrel train rides, a zip line, apple cannons, an animal barn, a children's hay maze, pumpkin painting, outdoor games and a jumping pillow.

Current event listings show the farm operating Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through October 31, with hours shifting to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 1 through November 8. Families may want to confirm hours with the farm before heading out, particularly later in the season.

Its location also makes it one of the more convenient pumpkin patch choices for families traveling from Maxwell, Kyle, Buda and southeast Austin.

• Dates: September 26 through November 8, 2026
• Location: 5701 Williamson Road, Creedmoor, TX 78610 (Google Maps)

Uhland Fall Fest | Near Maxwell, Kyle and Buda

For families around Maxwell, one of the closest large fall festivals is Uhland Fall Fest, held on a shaded historic farmstead south of Austin.

The festival returns for six weekends from September 26 through November 1 with a pumpkin patch, animals, live entertainment, fall photo opportunities, games, attractions, food and artisan vendors.

Children age 5 and younger, adults age 65 and older, active-duty military members, veterans and first responders currently receive free admission with qualifying identification.

For Maxwell residents looking for a pumpkin patch without making the drive north through Austin, Uhland provides a particularly convenient option.

• Dates: September 26 through November 1, 2026
• Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Advance single-day admission: $16.50 through September 25, including ticketing fees
• Location: 39 Dairy Road, Uhland, TX 78640 (Google Maps)

Evergreen Farms Pumpkin Hunt | Elgin

For Elgin families, pumpkin season can be celebrated right at home.

Evergreen Farms will hold its annual Pumpkin Hunt on select Saturdays and Sundays throughout October. The experience is rooted more firmly in the farm itself than many larger festival-style attractions, making it a good choice for families who want something quieter and closer to a traditional agricultural outing.

The farm is scheduled to host Pumpkin Hunt days October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31. It also sells pumpkins during limited weekday afternoon hours.

Evergreen Farms also uses the fall season for educational programming, introducing children to agriculture, plants and the process of growing pumpkins.

• Dates: October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, 2026
• Hours: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.; weekday pumpkin sales, 3 to 5 p.m.
• Location: 242 Monkey Road, Elgin, TX 78621 (Google Maps)

Sweet Eats Adventure Farm Fall Festival | Georgetown

North of Austin, Sweet Eats Adventure Farm is one of the larger fall festival experiences in the region and an especially convenient choice for families coming from Jarrell and Georgetown.

The 2026 Fall Festival runs from September 19 through November 8 and includes a 4.5-acre themed corn maze and a large pumpkin patch with more than 40 varieties of pumpkins. General admission also includes more than 30 farm activities, including pig races, a petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides and apple cannons.

Friday and Saturday nights in October are also scheduled to feature fireworks, except on Halloween night.

For Jarrell residents looking for a major pumpkin patch experience without driving into Austin, Sweet Eats is among the closest full-scale options.

• Dates: September 19 through November 8, 2026
• Hours: September 19 through 30, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; October Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; October 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; November 1 through 8, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Location: 14400 E. State Highway 29, Georgetown, TX 78626 (Google Maps)

Round Rock Pumpkin Festival | Round Rock

Thousands of pumpkins will fill part of Old Settlers Park when the Round Rock Pumpkin Festival and Pumpkin Patch returns for its fifth year.

The community-focused festival will be open Fridays through Mondays from October 2 through October 31. Along with its pumpkin patch, the event features a giant corn pit, barrel train, games, food, concessions, crafts and seasonal activities.

Parking is free, and children age 2 and younger and adults age 65 and older receive free admission. Teachers, military members and first responders also qualify for free admission with identification.

• Dates: October 2 through October 31, 2026
• Hours: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Admission: Early-bird tickets are $10; admission increases to $12 beginning October 2
• Location: 3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, TX 78665 (Google Maps)

Texas Pumpkin Fest | Leander

Families looking for something closer to a fall carnival will find plenty beyond pumpkins at Texas Pumpkin Fest in Leander.

The festival describes itself as the Austin area's largest pumpkin festival, with a large pumpkin and gourd selection alongside rides, entertainment, animals and Halloween and fall photo settings. Its 2026 attractions include a 60-foot Ferris wheel, 135-foot Super Slide, pony rides, petting zoo, train rides, magic shows and professional wrestling.

The pumpkin patch itself features pumpkins and gourds available for purchase, making this one of the area's bigger options for families who want both pumpkin shopping and an amusement-style outing.

• Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from October 10 through November 1, 2026, plus Monday, October 12, and Friday, October 30
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Admission: $15 per person
• Location: 8760 FM 2243, Leander, TX 78641 (Google Maps)

Central TX Pumpkin Fest at Robinson Family Farm | Temple

North of Jarrell, Robinson Family Farm in Temple gives families another major pumpkin festival option without having to head toward Austin.

Its Central TX Pumpkin Fest runs weekends from September 26 through November 1. Admission includes pumpkin patch access, farm animals, a jumping pad, zip line, giant slide, mini golf, archery, axe throwing, a corn pit, farm tram and numerous other attractions.

Pig races, live music and other entertainment are scheduled on select dates during the festival rather than every operating day. Pumpkins, food, beverages, face painting, gemstone mining and several specialty activities are sold separately.

For Jarrell families, having major fall destinations in both Georgetown and Temple means there are substantial pumpkin patch options in either direction along the Interstate 35 corridor.

• Dates: Weekends, September 26 through November 1, 2026
• Online admission: $21.95 for guests age 3 and older, with full in-season pricing listed at $26.95
• Location: 2651 Bob White Road, Temple, TX 76501 (Google Maps)

Sweet Berry Farm | Marble Falls

For families who do not mind a Hill Country drive, Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls remains one of the Austin area's better-known fall traditions.

The farm opened for its 2026 fall season on September 10, with pumpkins beginning to arrive the following week. Sweet Berry Farm offers pumpkins and gourds along with seasonal activities that include hayrides, mazes, pumpkin painting, a barrel train and other family attractions.

Unlike a pick-your-own pumpkin farm, Sweet Berry Farm purchases pumpkins in bulk and displays them for visitors to choose from.

One thing that separates Sweet Berry Farm from many larger festivals is its admission model. General entry and parking are free, and visitors pay for the individual activities they choose, making it possible to stop in simply for pumpkins or build a longer outing around the farm's attractions.

• 2026 fall season: Opened September 10, with pumpkins arriving the following week
• Hours through October: Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday
• Admission: Free general admission and parking; individual activities are priced separately
• Location: 1801 FM 1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654 (Google Maps)

A Pumpkin Patch for Almost Every Kind of Fall Day

What makes the Austin area's pumpkin patch season especially useful for families is the range of experiences available.

Someone who simply wants a pumpkin and family photo can stay in Austin and visit Bethany Pumpkin Patch or head west to Hill Country Pumpkins. Families looking for animals and a farm atmosphere can make the short drive to Indian Springs Ranch, Mama Mary's or Evergreen Farms. Those who want corn mazes, rides and enough entertainment to fill several hours have larger options in Georgetown, Round Rock, Leander, Uhland and Temple.

And for residents outside Austin, there is often no need to drive into the city at all. Jarrell families can look north toward Temple or south toward Georgetown, Elgin residents have Evergreen Farms nearby, and Maxwell families are within easy reach of Uhland and Creedmoor.

Because many of these attractions are outdoors, operating hours, activities and ticket availability can change because of weather, farm conditions or capacity. Families should check directly with each pumpkin patch before heading out, particularly when visiting later in the season.

One familiar Austin tradition will not be part of the 2026 lineup. Christ Lutheran Church has discontinued its SoCo Pumpkin Patch after operating the event for 10 seasons from 2015 through 2025.

Central Texas may not always provide the crisp sweater weather people associate with October, but the pumpkins, hayrides, farm animals and family traditions still have a way of making it feel like fall.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Austin-area fall festivals, Halloween events, family activities and seasonal things to do across Central Texas.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

Local business spotlight

Grow your business
where trust already lives.

Let’s introduce your business to the neighbors nearby.

Spotlight My Business →

Have a local favorite? Recommend a business