The pumpkin festival in Skælskør, Denmark, is attracting more visitors than ever before, according to its organisers. The annual celebration, held in the harbour town on the island of Zealand, is now in its sixth year and is expected to welcome around 8,000 visitors during this week’s festivities.
The event, which describes itself as Denmark’s largest pumpkin festival, runs from 12 to 17 October. Festival organiser Mette Kimer told Danish public broadcaster DR that attendance has grown steadily since the first edition in 2021.
The figure of 8,000 visitors is an estimate rather than an official count, as admission to the main festival area is free.
From a small local event to a growing autumn festival
What began as a modest community celebration has gradually become a popular autumn attraction in western Zealand.
In 2022, the festival attracted approximately 5,000 visitors, twice as many as in its inaugural year, according to Destination Sjælland, the regional tourism organisation.
This year’s programme offers a wide range of pumpkin-themed activities, including bowling with pumpkins, throwing games, puzzle rooms, creative workshops and experiments in a pumpkin laboratory.
The celebrations extend beyond the harbour square, with activities taking place at several locations around Skælskør. The official festival programme also includes horse-drawn carriage rides, food experiences and ceramic workshops. Some activities require paid tickets.
Among the visitors is the Vinholdt Andersen family from nearby Boeslunde, who have attended several days of the festival. They have taken part in games, decorated pumpkins and even brought the festival spirit home by preparing pumpkin soup.
A pumpkin festival without Halloween scares
Despite taking place in October, the Skælskør festival deliberately avoids the frightening atmosphere traditionally associated with Halloween.
Instead, organisers emphasise the autumn harvest, seasonal food and activities for families.
Kimer explained to DR that the decision to avoid frightening attractions is intentional.
“We deliberately leave that out. Here, it’s a harvest atmosphere,” she said.
Visitors can carve and decorate pumpkins, enjoy seasonal dishes and take part in unusual activities, including experiments designed to create miniature volcanic eruptions inside pumpkins.
The festival is organised in cooperation with local businesses and Thorsbjerggaard, a major Danish pumpkin producer based near Skælskør.
With attendance continuing to rise, the event has grown well beyond its original ambition of providing a small local celebration, while retaining its emphasis on the harvest rather than Halloween.
