There’s no better place to celebrate (and eat) the autumn harvest than at Half Moon Bay’s Art & Pumpkin Festival. This year marks the 52nd anniversary of this world-famous event and its rich agricultural heritage, nestled between the sea and the fertile fields with swaths of brilliant orange pumpkins on the San Mateo County Coastside.
Pumpkin pie with whipped cream, pumpkin milkshakes, pumpkin ravioli and pumpkin ale are just a few of the harvest-inspired treats you'll find at this year's festival.
At this year’s festival, October 19-20, more than 20 nonprofit groups will feed the hungry hordes, serving up delectable homestyle dishes, many with tributes to the local harvests of artichokes, pumpkins and Brussels sprouts that showcase the region’s bounty while raising critical funds for their worthwhile causes.
True to its title as World Pumpkin Capital, Half Moon Bay gives the beloved gourd a starring role in its festival fare. Not to be outshone by the preponderance of pumpkin treats, several prominent coastside crops will also be featured, but there’s more than just coastal food. Dig in!
The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along historic Main Street. Admission is free. See the Event Map for food and drink locations.
Pancake Breakfast from HMB High School Boys Basketball
Clam Chowder in Bread Bowls from HMB Rotary Club
Hot Beef Sandwiches from IDES Society
Garlic Fries from the Boy Scouts
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds & Pumpkin Cookies from Coastside Land Trust
Mac & Cheese from Mariner's Church Coastside
Corn Dogs from HMB Girls Softball
Grilled Corn & Burgers from The Lions Club
Brussels Sprouts, Artichokes & Green Beans from Knights of Columbus
Gourmet Sausages & Hot Dogs from Cabrillo Unified School District-SIPA
Tamales from Cougar Boosters
Kettle Corn from HMB High School Girls Basketball
Sausage Sandwiches from CADHC
Nachos from Main Street Scholars
Ravioli from Community United Methodist Church
Pumpkin Milkshake from HMB High School Water Polo
Pumpkin Pie & Grilled Sausages from HMB Beautification Committee
Pumpkin Ice Cream from the Episcopal Church
Pumpkin Rolls from the 4-H Club
Pumpkin Spice Churros by Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation
Pumpkin Cheesecake from San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers
Scrumptious Crepes from Coast Pride
Root Beer Floats from HMB Volunteer Fire Department
Pumpkin Pie Cotton Candy from HMB High School Music Boosters
Pancake Breakfast from HMB High School Boys Basketball
Beat the traffic and start the day off right with a stack of pumpkin or buttermilk pancakes served with a smile by the HMB High School Varsity Boys Basketball Team. Includes sausage, fresh orange juice, tea or coffee. PRE-ORDER YOUR PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Clam Chowder in Bread Bowls from HMB Rotary Club
Honoring the area’s rich maritime history, Half Moon Bay Rotary Club will be selling chunky clam chowder in crunchy sourdough bread bowls … always a big crowd-pleaser.
Hot Beef Sandwiches from IDES Society
Hunch into the popular hot beef sandwiches on a soft roll by the IDES Society.
Garlic Fries from the Boy Scouts
Don’t miss the to-die-for garlic fries drizzled with olive oil, minced garlic and parsley by the Boy Scouts.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds & Pumpkin Cookies from Coastside Land Trust
Enjoy the monster 8" pumpkin cookies and tasty roasted pumpkin seeds baked by the good folks from Coastside Land Trust.
Mac & Cheese from Mariner's Church Coastside
For more creative, pumpkin-infused comfort food, enjoy Mariner’s Church Coastside version of macaroni and cheese—flavored with pumpkin spices and topped with pumpkin seeds.
Corn Dogs from HMB Girls Softball
Savor a killer corn dog from the Half Moon Bay Girls Softball Club.
Grilled Corn & Burgers from The Lions Club
The Lions Club will be firing up the grill all weekend for their tasty hamburgers, cheeseburgers, veggie burgers and fresh, sweet buttery corn-on-the-cob.
Brussels Sprouts, Artichokes & Green Beans from Knights of Columbus
Cooking Brussels sprouts in a zesty marinara sauce brings out the flavorful taste that makes converts out of those who try them. Steamed artichoke hearts are sauteed in an aromatic blend of garlic, olive oil and herbs. Plus there are the gourmet-good green beans!
Gourmet Sausages & Hot Dogs from Cabrillo Unified School District-SIPA
For something hearty, grab one of the grilled gourmet sausages or hot dogs from CUSD-SIPA.
Tamales from Cougar Boosters
Hungry for some Mex? Try the Cougar Boosters super delicious chicken, beef and pork tamales with a bold mole sauce.
Kettle Corn from HMB High School Girls Basketball
Enjoy tasty kettle corn from the Half Moon Bay High School Lady Cougar Basketball team.
Sausage Sandwiches from CADHC
The gourmands from the Coastside Adult Day Health Center (CADHC) dress their Italian and Polish sausage sandwiches up with a zesty marinara sauce, taking “savory” sausages to a whole new level.
Nachos from Main Street Scholars
Crunchy nachos with warm cheese sauce, pumpkin salsa, sliced jalapenos and pepitas by Main Street Scholars.
Ravioli from Community United Methodist Church
Enjoy hearty pumpkin or butternut squash ravioli from Community United Methodist Church.
Pumpkin Milkshake from HMB High School Water Polo
Go for a refreshing blended pumpkin milkshake smoothie topped with whipped cream and cinnamon by the High School Water Polo team.
Pumpkin Pie & Grilled Sausages from HMB Beautification Committee
Enjoy mouthwatering Portuguese linguisa, jumbo hot dogs and Italian sausages grilled by the Beautification Committee. They will also be dishing up slices of the tastiest pumpkin pie on the planet layered with a healthy dose of whipped cream.
Pumpkin Ice Cream from the Episcopal Church
Enjoy your pie a la mode with a scoop of wickedly rich pumpkin ice cream from the Episcopal Church booth.
Pumpkin Rolls from the 4-H Club
The local 4-H Club is renown for their melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin rolls. The tangy crème cheese-filled confections are such a big hit, the young people also sell the recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Churros by Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation
Treat yourself to a delicious Pumpkin Spice Churro at this year's Pumpkin Festival and make a difference in the community! Each purchase helps support the Friends of Half Moon Bay Parks and Recreation, ensuring our local parks and programs continue to thrive. Enjoy a churro, support a park, and celebrate the season!
Pumpkin Cheesecake from San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers
Fill up on some sinfully rich pumpkin cheesecake whipped up by the San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers.
Scrumptious Crepes from Coast Pride
The Coast Pride Crew has perfected their recipe for Chocolate-Hazelnut Crepes heated in butter, drizzled with Pumpkin/Chocolate syrup and topped off with a dollop of whipped cream.
Root Beer Floats from HMB Volunteer Fire Department
Cool off with a root beer float from by the Half Moon Bay Volunteer Fire Department.
Pumpkin Pie Cotton Candy from HMB High School Music Boosters
For something sweet and sassy, sink your teeth into the headliner Pumpkin Pie flavored cotton candy. Other flavors include Vanilla, Grape and blue rasoberry cotton candy.
