The Great Pumpkin-Carving Contest will take place at the Atlanta Botanical Garden on October 22, 2026. This live event invites teams of amateur carvers to participate in a three-hour pumpkin carving competition during the Garden’s annual Great Pumpkin-Carving Festival.
Teams may consist of up to two carvers, who will work at their individual stations in front of event guests. All selected competitors will receive one (1) Garden Golden Ticket, granting access to a year of exciting special events at the Garden, as well as two (2) guest tickets to the Great Pumpkin-Carving Festival. The contest winner will receive additional prizes.
Applications open: August 17, 2026
Application deadline: October 1, 2026
Event date: October 22, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (winners announced at 8:30 p.m.)
Guidelines:
- Open to pumpkin-carving enthusiasts aged 18 and older
- Teams of up to two carvers
- Carvers must be present on-site from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 22, 2026
- Each team may choose one (1) or two (2) medium-sized pumpkins, provided by the Garden
- Carvers are responsible for bringing their own tools and supplies
- Carving designs must be suitable for family viewing — no controversial, commercial, political, or religious subjects are permitted
- All carved pumpkins will become the property of the Atlanta Botanical Garden
