What if your next family outing could start with pumpkins in the afternoon and end beneath a sky filled with lights?
The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival 2026 is bringing its signature fall fun to Stone Mountain Park from September 19 through November 1, 2026, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. From storybook characters and family attractions to glowing nighttime displays and the Pumpkin Drone & Light Show, this is the kind of fall experience that can turn an ordinary weekend into a family memory.
And if you're searching for things to do near Atlanta this fall, keep reading. Here's what you need to know before you grab the kids and head to Stone Mountain.
The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival combines classic fall fun with the park's attractions and nighttime entertainment, giving families plenty to experience during one visit.
According to Stone Mountain Park's official Pumpkin Festival page, the 2026 experience includes fairy-tale-inspired outdoor exhibits, live entertainment, family attractions, lighted walk-through experiences, the Pumpkin Parade, and the Pumpkin Drone & Light Show.
In other words, this isn't simply a place to take a few pumpkin photos and head home.
You can spend the afternoon exploring the park, watching entertainment, meeting storybook characters, and enjoying attractions. Then, as the sun goes down, the entire atmosphere changes.
That's when the glow begins.
The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival runs from September 19 through November 1, 2026, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The official Stone Mountain Park event information states that the Pumpkin Festival opens at 2 p.m. on festival days, while some attractions open earlier.
That means you don't have to wait until Halloween to get into the fall spirit.
You have several weekends throughout September and October to plan your visit, making it easier to find a date that works for your family.
Pro tip: Before you go, check the Stone Mountain Park events calendar because attraction and entertainment schedules can vary by date.
Families can enjoy a mix of daytime attractions, entertainment, storybook experiences, seasonal displays, and nighttime activities.
According to Stone Mountain Park, the festival includes:
The best part?
You don't have to choose between a daytime festival and a nighttime experience. You can enjoy both.
Imagine arriving while the sun is still up, exploring the park with your family, grabbing something to eat, and then watching the landscape transform into a glowing fall wonderland.
That's a pretty memorable Saturday.
At night, Stone Mountain Park transforms into a glowing fall experience with illuminated displays and themed areas.
Stone Mountain Park describes the experience as "Play by Day and Glow by Night." The park's official festival information highlights more than 40 scenes across 10 themed areas. (Stone Mountain Park)
Expect oversized pumpkins, glowing displays, special effects, and colorful nighttime scenes.
Some of the experiences draw inspiration from familiar storybook worlds, including The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. Other themed areas include the Enchanted Forest and Dino Glow Experience.
And here's something parents will appreciate: the nighttime experience isn't simply about being spooky.
It's designed to be family-friendly, so younger children can enjoy the lights and characters without the intensity of a traditional haunted attraction.
Yes, and it's one of the experiences worth staying late for.
The Pumpkin Drone & Light Show combines choreographed drones, lighting, video, special effects, and fireworks.
According to Stone Mountain Park's official ticket information, the show is included with the applicable Pumpkin Festival & Attractions Ticket or Mountain Membership.
The festival also features the Pumpkin Tree Lighting and Nightly Parade, adding even more to the evening experience.
So, should you leave after the daytime attractions?
Probably not if the nighttime entertainment is on your family's must-see list.
Weather can affect outdoor productions, particularly drone performances, so check the official Stone Mountain Park schedule and updates before your visit.
The current official ticket information lists the Pumpkin Festival & Attractions Ticket at $39.99 for adults and $36.99 for children.
Children age 2 and under do not require a ticket.
According to Stone Mountain Park, tickets are date-specific and provide access to the applicable festival attractions, events, and Drone & Light Shows for the selected date. Parking, taxes, and service fees may be additional.
Because prices and availability can change, check the official ticket page before purchasing.
Here's where the experience gets even better.
Your visit isn't limited to the Pumpkin Festival itself. Depending on the date and operating schedule, the attractions ticket can include experiences such as:
The official Stone Mountain Park ticket page provides the current attraction information, while the event calendar shows schedules for individual dates.
With that many options, here's the question I'd ask before visiting:
Which experiences will your family be most excited about?
Choose those first, then fill the rest of your day around them.
For the complete experience, consider arriving in the afternoon and staying into the evening.
Why?
Because you're essentially getting two experiences in one.
During the day, you can enjoy attractions, entertainment, characters, and seasonal activities. Once the sun sets, the lights come on and the park takes on an entirely different personality.
If you're bringing younger children, think about nap schedules and bedtime. If your kids can handle a later evening, staying for the nighttime activities could be the highlight of the trip.
Before heading out, check the official Stone Mountain Park calendar for the specific date you're considering.
The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival takes place at Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia, at 1000 Robert E. Lee Drive.
Discover Atlanta lists the event as a family and kids festival, while Stone Mountain Park promotes the destination as a year-round place for attractions, recreation, festivals, and special events.
For families living in or around metro Atlanta, that makes it an easy option to add to a fall weekend itinerary.
You're definitely not limited to pumpkin carving this fall.
Metro Atlanta has plenty of seasonal festivals, fairs, harvest events, and family activities. Mommy Poppins' Atlanta fall festival guide highlights Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival among the area's fall activities.
Discover Atlanta also maintains a calendar of family-friendly events throughout the Atlanta area.
But what makes Stone Mountain especially interesting is the combination of outdoor recreation, attractions, seasonal events, and entertainment in one destination.
And if you're considering where to live around Atlanta, that's worth paying attention to.
Because choosing a home isn't just about bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage.
It's also about how you spend your Saturdays.
What parks are nearby? What can your kids do after school? Where can you take visiting family? What community events happen throughout the year?
Those lifestyle details can make a neighborhood feel like home.
For anyone researching Stone Mountain, GA, events like the Pumpkin Festival offer a small glimpse into the area's lifestyle.
Stone Mountain Park hosts seasonal events throughout the year, giving residents and visitors opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and participate in community-oriented activities.
If you're thinking about moving to the area, don't just tour houses.
Explore the community.
Visit the parks. Try the restaurants. Attend local events. Drive through the neighborhoods at different times of day.
You may discover that the right community has just as much to do with your lifestyle as the house itself.
Maybe you're coming to Stone Mountain for the pumpkins. Maybe you'll leave wondering if this could be home.
If you're exploring Stone Mountain neighborhoods, homes for sale, local amenities, parks, schools, and family-friendly activities, I'm here to help you get to know the area beyond the listing photos.
Reach out today and let's explore what living in Stone Mountain could look like for you and your family.
The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival 2026 is scheduled for September 19 through November 1, 2026, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The festival opens at 2 p.m. on festival days. (Stone Mountain Park)
The current listed price for the Pumpkin Festival & Attractions Ticket is $39.99 for adults and $36.99 for children. Children age 2 and under do not require a ticket. Check the official Stone Mountain Park ticket page for current pricing before purchasing.
Yes. The festival features family-friendly attractions, storybook characters, entertainment, seasonal displays, and nighttime experiences. Discover Atlanta also categorizes the event under Family & Kids.
Yes. The Pumpkin Drone & Light Show is part of the festival experience and is included with the applicable attractions ticket. The park also features the Pumpkin Tree Lighting and Nightly Parade.
Atlanta has numerous fall festivals, pumpkin events, harvest celebrations, and family activities. Mommy Poppins and Discover Atlanta are useful resources for finding additional seasonal events.
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