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Great Annapolis Pumpkins
You are invited to explore Annapolis and find the giant pumpkins.
Take your picture with real pumpkins that are over 1000 pounds each and post pictures or videos to your favorite social media pages for chances to win prizes from local businesses.
Tag #GreatAnnapolisPumpkins and @VisitAnnapolis as you show off your photos and videos on social media.
These pumpkins will appear just after the first weekend in October and are all within an easy stroll of one another.
The pumpkins will be turned into Jack-o'-Lanterns on the Friday before Halloween. Be sure to revisit Annapolis to see the area's largest Jack-o-Lanterns.
Locations: Great Annapolis Pumpkins 2025:
Annapolis Visitors Center
St. Anne's Episcopal Church
St John's College
Maryland Avenue
Market Space
Museum of Historic Annapolis
Annapolis Waterfront Hotel
Main Street at Francis Street
Please do not climb on or etch into pumpkins. They are real and easily damaged, which may cause them to rot or crack, and they have to be removed before carving.
The Great Annapolis Pumpkins return in October 2025 with massive, giant pumpkin displays
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – The Downtown Annapolis Partnership is bringing back the Great Annapolis Pumpkins presented by Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and Visit Maryland. The giant pumpkins have become a local tradition for the public to visit in downtown Annapolis, with many people making multiple visits to take fall-themed pictures before they are carved. They return to watch them being carved and again to see the final works of art.
The pumpkins, ranging in size from 600 to 1500 pounds, are purchased every year from farmers at a regional giant pumpkin weigh-off event. Many of the pumpkins purchased for Annapolis are grown by farmers in the mid-Atlantic region and are over 1,000 pounds each. These pumpkins require special care and attention for months to obtain their massive weights. “Many visitors who see these giant pumpkins in Annapolis are surprised to find out they are real, as they have never seen a pumpkin in person this large before,” said Erik Evans, Executive Director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership. “We love seeing everyone strolling the town to find them all and lining up for pictures. They are some of the most photographed things in Annapolis that you will find on social media.”
The pumpkins are scheduled to be delivered on Monday, October 6, 2025. Those who visit downtown Annapolis early that morning can see the forklifts driving the pumpkins around to be placed along Main Street, Market Space, Maryland Ave, West Street, and Compromise Street. The Visitors Center, located at 26 West Street, will provide directions to each Great Annapolis Pumpkin location. You can visit the websites of Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County or the Downtown Annapolis Partnership for locations after the pumpkins have been placed.
To add to the fall and Halloween spirit, visitors are encouraged to explore the many local Annapolis ghost tours, festivals, concerts, and performing arts events. While strolling downtown Annapolis to check out the pumpkins, you will find outdoor dining and the many shops and boutiques that are filled with fall fashions and gifts.
Major Annapolis Fall 2025 Events include:
Oct 2-5 Annapolis Powerboat Show
Oct 9-12 Annapolis Sailboat Show
Oct 11 Day of the Dead Festival
Oct 18 Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival
Oct 19 Maryland Ave Fall Festival
Oct 24 Great Annapolis Pumpkin Carving
Oct 25-Nov 1 Scarecrow Stroll
Oct 24 Pumpkin Walk at Harwood Hammond House
Oct 31 - Nov 1 USNA All Saints Day Concert
Additional fall attractions surround Annapolis, making the area a great fall destination when you include visits to local wineries, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, fall cruises, the performing arts, happy hours, and farmers' markets.
“These giant pumpkins make Halloween in Annapolis extra special,” said Evans, “and we are excited to again have our presenting sponsors, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and Visit Maryland, on board to help make this possible. "The Great Annapolis Pumpkins puts a festive twist on fall in our historic downtown — with a dash of spooky style,” said Kristen Pironis, CEO of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. “It’s a ‘gourd’ time for visitors and locals alike, offering a larger-than-life way to celebrate the season. By showcasing local talent and community spirit, we’re helping make Annapolis a truly unforgettable autumn destination."
People line up to watch the professional artists carve the giant pumpkins into works of art.” Each of the local and regional artists has their own unique style in carving their assigned pumpkin. The pumpkins are scheduled to be carved before Halloween, which is another great time to visit and will be on display through November 2nd. Returning this year will be Anne Arundel County renowned food artist, Nancy Baker, as one of the pumpkin carvers. She has been featured on the Food Channel’s “Halloween Wars” and “Road to Halloween Wars” television series. She has appeared all over the country turning food into works of art. Nancy’s food carvings have also been done for Disney Marvel, Bush Gardens, Sea World, Hello Fresh and the National Zoo. She is also a local high school teacher in Edgewater, Maryland.
“Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County presents the Great Annapolis Pumpkins, which is a free fun outdoor experience to get out and enjoy the fall season in the Annapolis area,” said Evans. “The giant pumpkins are a great starting point for friends and family to begin enjoying a full month of fall activities in the area.”
This year’s sponsors include Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Maryland Tourism, Downtown Annapolis Partnership, the City of Annapolis, Historic Annapolis, St John's College, the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, Maryland Avenue and State Circle Association, Inner West Street Association and St Anne's Church.