PumpkinPalooza in NoMa

PumpkinPalooza in NoMa

NoMa turns a neighborhood park into a pumpkin patch for one weeknight. PumpkinPalooza is on Wednesday, October 28 at Alethia Tanner Park, and the pumpkins are free: one per person, first come, first served, while they last. The pick-your-own patch opens at 4:15pm, so the early crowd gets the good ones.

There's more than pumpkins. A petting zoo with alpacas, live pumpkin painting, a library book bike, firetrucks to climb around, and Minion and Gru characters wandering through. The costume parade for kids and pets has prizes, and a screening of Minions & Monsters wraps up the night. It's a city park, not a farm, so think small and busy rather than sprawling. Nobody's driving an hour for this, which is the point.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Go early for the pumpkins. The patch opens at 4:15pm and the pumpkins are limited to one per person. A 4:30 arrival is a much better bet than 6.
• ✓Check the weather before you leave. The rain date is Thursday the 29th, 4 to 8pm. The organizers post updates on the NoMa BID page.
• ✓Bring a way to carry pumpkins. A wagon or a stroller basket saves your arms. Small pumpkins go home in a tote bag.
• ✓Dress for a chilly evening. Late October after sundown gets cold in an open park. Costumes over a warm layer work.
• ✓Leave the dog decision to your dog. The parade has a pet category, but it will be crowded. A nervous dog may prefer to skip it.