The world’s largest pumpkin festival at the Ludwigsburg Palace (123RF)

If you are a foodie and love all things fall, the annual Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival (Kürbisausstellung), might be a dream come true for you. This celebration from Aug. 23 – Nov. 3, 2024, is full of unique gastronomy featuring 600 different varieties of pumpkin. From sweet to savory and even beverages, you can taste pumpkin in a wide range of dishes. Locals favor Maultaschen, which is a dish similar to ravioli. Other pumpkin crowd-pleasers include, soup, bread, flammkuchen, waffles, pie, beer and prosecco. Vendors create new foods every year, and you can even buy specialty items like pumpkin-infused oils and liquors. With a celebration so largely revolved around pumpkin, there are always new dishes and infusions to try. The orange gourd is truly highlighted here as, everything at the festival is made with actual pumpkin, not just pumpkin spice or flavoring.

To soak in the Baroque city’s views, stay at Nestor Hotel Ludwigsburg which is located at the castle park. Formerly a garrison bakery dating back to 1874, you can enjoy a blend of elements kept from the historical building with updated, modern rooms to stay in. It is an excellent location with an 11-minute walk to the Ludwigsburg S-Bahn station and a 12-minute walk to Ludwigsburg Palace. There are a wide variety of rooms from single to executive suits. Amenities include air-conditioning, a hotel bar, sauna and steam bath, fitness room, and an onsite restaurant. For an additional fee, breakfast is served in the style of the old garrison bakery with homemade muesli, crispy rolls, fresh fruit and specialty coffee. Furry friends are also welcome for a small additional fee. To book your stay visit, ghotel.de.

Pumpkin Boat Regatta in the gardens (123RF)

Start growing your own humongous pumpkin in April so that it’s ready by September to race in the Pumpkin Regatta at the festival. Okay, maybe gardening isn’t for everyone, but watching the spectacle of rowers trying to navigate a giant hollowed-out pumpkin through the water is great fun. If you are interested, you can even contact the race organizer to get your own seeds.

Aside from this fun event, the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival has so much to love. The region itself is beautiful and each year the Residenzschloss or, Ludwigsburg Palace hosts the Pumpkin Festival. Visitors from all over the world gather around to see the expansive gardens overtaken by themed sculptures made from approximately 450,000 colorful pumpkins and gourds. Some previous themes have been, “fairytale,” “under the sea”, and “fire.” This year, the 25th anniversary theme will be “famous personalities.” It is rumored Pippi Longstocking, Sophie Scholl, and Frida Kahlo will be amongst the icons sculpted. People come for the variety of pumpkin delicacies and to participate in the many events held. This includes the pumpkin weighing championship, pumpkin carving competition, Thanksgiving celebration and pumpkin regatta. 

A pumpkin carving at Ludwigsburg’s pumpkin festival (123RF)

One of the pumpkin carvers who attends annually is Ray Villafane, who is famous for his expressive carvings of a pumpkin family he calls “the Hubbards.” The festivities end with a two-day slaughtering and smashing of pumpkins so growers can get their valuable seeds and prepare for the next year.

For entry tickets and information about festival events you can visit travel.ludwigsburg.de or juckerfarm.ch.

Tips for visiting the festival: