Pumpkinferno: The Unmissable Pumpkin Lantern Festival in Ontario

About this Pumpkin Lantern Festival

The pumpkins at this pumpkin lantern festival aren't real pumpkins. However, the lanterns are shaped from molds of real pumpkins and look incredibly realistic.

Real pumpkins are perishable and could rot or wouldn't survive any inclement weather conditions.

It also might not be possible to harvest several thousand pumpkins, carve them, and set them up for the end of September. With that said, the pumpkin lanterns are carved like real pumpkins and if I didn't know otherwise, I wouldn't have known they were artificial.

Many of the pumpkins are fused together into interesting and awesome characters, animals, and objects. They are designed by a talented young group of local artists from Eastern Ontario.

They started this project in 2012 and add more creations and exhibits every year. While there are many Halloween events in Ontario, there's nothing quite like Pumpkinferno.

The Exhibits at Pumpkinferno

The 1km pumpkin trail loops around Upper Canada Village, and it will take you about 45 minutes to check out every display (unless you're a travel blogger taking photos and video - I spent about 1 hour and 15 minutes in total).

There are dozens of exhibits with all different themes, showcasing animals, history, art, Halloween, and more.

While you can feel the fall spirit throughout, many displays at this pumpkin lantern festival don't relate directly to Halloween at all.

It's all about fun for the whole family, highlighting the creativity of the artists. These are a few of the displays I discovered at Pumpkinferno when I visited.

The exhibits at Pumpkinferno change from year to year. This means that you'll likely see entirely different displays from the ones I've shared here.

It's new and fresh every year, so you can visit time after time for a whole new experience.

War of 1812

The War of 1812 exhibit showcases a soldier made out of pumpkins to commemorate the victory of the Anglo-Canadian army.

There's actually a battlefield memorial and monument just west of Upper Canada Village, illustrating and remembering this important battle that halted the invasion of Canada.

It's only fitting that this pumpkin lantern festival pays tribute to a significant moment in history that happened so close by.

Upper Canada Village People

It's the friendly faces you see on a daily basis at Upper Canada Village, in pumpkin form! These are some 19th century characters you meet on a trip during the day here, including the teacher, cheese maker, and spinner.

Legends from our Lands

The Pumpkinferno artists worked alongside Akwesasne artist, Victoria Ransom, to showcase a number of ancient legends. Some of these include: "Three Sisters", "Flying Head", "Celestial Tree" and "Atotarho".

Fur Trade

Another historical display at the pumpkin lantern festival, this demonstrate the role of the fur trade in the formation of Canada.

There were social, economic, and colonial relationships between the Indigenous people and the Europeans, as illustrated in this scene.

Patriotic Pasttimes

It's Canada's iconic sports presented in carved pumpkins! These pumpkin exhibits highlight lacrosse, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and of course, hockey!

I really loved how the hockey players were literally positioned across the pond, not frozen at all yet. The lights reflected in the water in brilliant shades of red and blue from the team jerseys.

Mesozoic Monsters

This one is a favourite among the kiddos in the crowd, both young and old! There aren't only shapes of dinosaurs at this pumpkin lantern festival.

You can also hear the roars and sounds of the dinosaurs, too. Pumpkinferno is a feast for the senses, including both sight and sound. Which dinosaur is your favourite?

The Great White North

If the exhibit with the hockey player pumpkins didn't sum up Canada, the Great White North exhibit surely does.

After all, Canada is the Great White North and known for its snowy winter season and land that reaches the arctic circle.

There are snowflakes carved into the pumpkins suspended from the trees above roaming polar bears and an igloo home. A pumpkin inukshuk and dog sledding huskies complete the scene.

Psychedelic Sixties

I think this was my favourite exhibit of them all. The Psychedelic Sixties at Pumpkinferno is a dazzling display of lights, sounds, and well, pumpkins!

Are you a hippie or a flower child? You'll need to check out this groovy exhibit with a Volkswagen van, peace signs, hippies, and rock stars.

There's even a huge screen with trippy and bright imagery. The pumpkin lanterns light up in time to the music, whether you hear White Rabbit or Light My Fire blaring from the speakers.

Expression Progression

Are you here for the traditionally carved pumpkins? You're in luck!

Expression Progression showcases a vast variety of pumpkin faces in every mood imaginable.

The sheer creativity is astounding. You could spend a lengthy amount of time at this exhibit alone, admiring each and every pumpkin head.

Creatures of the Current

Pumpkins under the sea? I never thought I'd see the day. Let's take a dive beneath the surface of the ocean to discover underwater sea creatures.

I'm in awe of the artists' creativity in imagining and creating salt water marine life from pumpkins. There's even a giant whale appearing from behind a building.

Coins of the World

My fellow world travellers, how many coins do you recognize? This exhibit pays tribute to the worldwide guests that visit Upper Canada Village each year.

Timber Trail

Timber Trail illustrates native deciduous and coniferous Canadian trees, all formed with carved pumpkins. I marveled at the intricate details carved into each tree leaf on the pumpkins.

Night at the Gallery

I never dreamed I'd ever see the Mona Lisa recreated out of pumpkins.

The Night at the Gallery display has famous works of art made out of pumpkins. It's like nothing I've ever seen before!

Day of the Dead

This pumpkin exhibit pays tribute to the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos).

Though the date of the holiday is close to Halloween, the two holidays vary greatly in purpose. You'll see imagery and themes from Day of the Dead celebrations here at Pumpkinferno, including sugar skulls and skeletons.

Spend the Night

If you're driving from a distance, you may want to spend the night in the region. In the town of Morrisburg, choose from the

• McIntosh Country Inn (Morrisburg)
• Sparks by Hilton (Brockville)
• Holiday Inn Express (Brockville)
• Comfort Inn (Brockville)

For a truly unforgettable evening, be sure to check out Pumpkinferno, the ultimate pumpkin lantern festival. Let me know if you decide to visit as I'd love to hear what you think!