The Ultimate Guide to Pumpkinferno

Pumpkinferno

Prepare to be amazed!

The award-winning Pumpkinferno returns to Upper Canada Village this fall, with the popular event opening on Friday, September 27th and running on select nights through September and October.

This stunning seasonal event blends together autumn, history and art to create a magical, one-of-a-kind experience that is sure to impress people of all ages.

Pumpkinferno offers a chance to view some 7,000 beautifully handcrafted pumpkins aglow and set amongst the picturesque 19th-century backdrop of Upper Canada Village. Visitors can expect to see a selection of all-new pumpkin-carved displays set among other fan-favourites throughout the village.

To get you ready for this amazing experience, we’ve put together The Ultimate Guide to Pumpkinferno. Read on and prepare yourself to walk in a world of pumpkins!

What to expect

Tens of thousands of visitors arrive at Upper Canada Village each fall to take in the magic of Pumpkinferno. The night time walking tour features dozens of hand-carved spellbinding exhibits, made from artificial pumpkins.  While many depict surreal, mythological or exotic worldly themes, other exhibits showcase heritage-based themes specifically designed to reflect the local region.

Along the way, make sure to stop at Clown Town and discover some new games and instagrammable pumpkin-themed stations that will be sure to please children of all ages.

Click here for more information on the 2019 Pumpkinferno features

You can also enjoy some dining at Willard’s Hotel and Harvest Barn Restaurant. Both are open for pre-tour dinners (reservations recommended, call 613-543-0660 for more info). Before or after your tour, make sure to stop at the Village Store Cafe to grab a signature gourmet grilled cheese sandwich and some Halloween-themed treats!

Pumpkinferno Dates

Pumpkinferno is generally open Thursdays to Sundays from September 27th until October 27th (closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

The specific dates are as follows:

September 27, 28, 29 (Friday – Sunday)  7 pm – 10 pm
October 1  Accessibility Night (click for more details)
October 3, 4, 5, 6  (Thursday – Sunday)   7 pm – 10 pm
October 10, 11, 12, 13  (Thursday – Sunday)   7 pm – 10 pm
October 14   (Thanksgiving Monday)   7 pm – 10 pm
October 17, 18, 19, 20  (Thursday – Sunday)  6:30 pm – 10 pm
October 24, 25, 26, 27  (Thursday – Sunday)   6:30 pm – 10 pm

Tickets

The best option is to buy your tickets online – it saves time and it’s cheaper!

Please note tickets are date-specific and there are two entry times 7 pm to 8:30 pm and 8:30 pm to 10 pm. Make sure to select the right date when buying!

Admission on Thursdays and Sundays is $16 for adults and students and $12 for youth (5-12). Children 4 and under are free.

Admission on Fridays and Saturdays is $18 for adults, $16 for students (13-18) and $12 for youth (5-12). Children 4 and under are free.

Additional service fees apply for online ticket sales.

Tickets at the door are $25 each.

Click here to purchase tickets online

Pro Tips

Here’s some other important tips to keep in mind when planning your visit to Pumpkinferno:

– Saturday evenings are by far the busiest, so if you are looking for smaller crowds, another night would probably be a better choice!
– To help with the flow of visitors, tickets are date-specific – be sure on which night you wish to visit before you buy!
– Dress comfortable and be prepared for any type of weather. The tour takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour and it will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather conditions (at the discretion of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission)
– Make sure to keep an eye on the Upper Canada Village social media accounts for the latest news and updates on Pumpkinferno. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
– Don’t forget your camera – the photo opportunities are amazing!

Make a night of it!

Turn your Pumpkinferno visit into an overnight getaway with a stay at one of Cornwall’s great hotels. A number of accommodations are offering Pumpkinferno packages with rooms at reduced rates (certain restrictions apply, subject to availability).

To book a room or find out more, contact the hotel directly:

Best Western
1515 Vincent Massey Drive
Cornwall, Ontario
613-932-0451
Website

Ramada Cornwall
805 Brookdale Avenue
Cornwall, Ontario
613-933-8000
Website

NAV Centre
1950 Montreal Road
Cornwall, Ontario
613-936-5800
Use promo code ‘pumpkin’
Website

Grab a bite!

Before or after your tour, consider making the short trek to Cornwall for some great dining. From local favourites to tastes from around the world, Cornwall’s food scene has something for everyone!

Check out our Dining page for more information or give us a call at 613-938-4748 for recommendations and ideas.

Additional Events

Looking for other fun things to do in the area? Make sure to check out our Events page for info on upcoming events in Cornwall and SDG Counties.

Visit Cornwall!

Do you have other questions? Cornwall Tourism can help. Email us at info@cornwalltourism.com to request a copy of our Visitor Guide or contact us at (613) 938-4748. You can also stop by the Cornwall Tourism office at the Cornwall Civic Complex (100 Water Street). The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm – we would be happy to answer your questions and provide you with recommendations and information to make your visit to Cornwall even more memorable!

You can also reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

Article by Kevin Lajoie
www.CornwallTourism.com