A two hour day trip from Kaiserslautern or just 30 minutes from Stuttgart, the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival is a great way to celebrate fall. (Katie Wells)
A couple of Saturdays ago, my spouse and I woke up early to drive the two hours from Kaiserslautern to Ludwigsburg to catch the Pumpkin Regatta at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival. While the drive was easy, we did hit unexpected traffic. Our two-hour drive turned into three-and-a-half. Sadly, we missed the main event. We did, however, catch the amateur races where visitors could sign up and try their hand at racing the giant gourds.
This year, Europe’s Largest Pumpkin Festival occurs from Aug. 22 - Oct. 31, 2026
We grabbed some chocolate-covered pumpkin seeds and a bottle of pumpkin prosecco and plopped down in the soft grass, warm sun on our backs as we watched the spectacle and picked favorites to cheer for. Only one person flipped their pumpkin! If we had known anyone could sign up, we would have brought a change of clothes and joined in.
This year, Europe’s Largest Pumpkin Festival occurs from Aug. 22 - Oct. 31, 2026 (Katie Wells)
After relaxing for a bit, we made our way to the gardens to see the giant sculptures, but first, we spotted stands selling pumpkin-flavored goods. We picked up pumpkin curry, chips, and, of course, soup to try. A few nights ago, I added shredded chicken and chopped peppers to the pumpkin curry and served it over Jasmine rice. My spouse and I both agree that we wish we had bought a couple more jars.
After the shops, we meandered through the gardens and admired colorful sculptures with the theme of Powerful Women! My favorite was Pippi Longstocking holding her horse above her head.
My favorite was Pippi Longstocking holding her horse above her head. (Katie Wells)
Having heard about the “Hubbard Family,” a yearly fan-favorite display created by Ray Villafane, I made a beeline to the pumpkin carvings. The charming gourd family did not disappoint, and there was an expert carver doing demonstrations nearby.
Having heard about the “Hubbard Family,” a yearly fan-favorite display created by Ray Villafane, I made a beeline to the pumpkin carvings. (Katie Wells)
We wanted to take more time to linger, but it was an exceptionally hot day for fall. I found myself wishing that we had gone on a cooler day, to get the full effect of the fantastic autumn vibes all around us. Alas, we opted to try more delicious food and found a stall selling pumpkin fries. We shared a savory plate of fries and sipped colas at a picnic bench in the shade while admiring more of the powerful women sculptures around us and watched children giggle over a pumpkin-smashing section as they stomped around in the mush. Overall, it was a lovely day trip. Though, I envy those living in Stuttgart so nearby.
We shared a savory plate of fries. (Katie Wells)
