Apply to compete at the Gainesville Garden during FallFest on Oct. 3, 2026.
Teams of amateur carvers will have three hours during FallFest’s Pumpkin-Carving Contest to design and carve pumpkins at individual stations in front of event guests. Teams may contain up to two carvers.
All selected competitors will receive two (2) guest tickets to FallFest. The contest winner will receive one (1) Garden Golden Ticket, which grants access to a year of exciting special events at the Garden, including Glows ’26, JuneFest, Spring Exhibit, Music Series, FallFest, and one (1) Atlanta Garden event.
Applications open: Aug. 24
Application deadline: Sept. 25
Event date: Oct. 3, 2026, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (winners announced 2:30 p.m.)
Guidelines:
- Open to pumpkin-carving enthusiasts 18 and older
- Teams of up to two carvers
- Minimum of 6 carvers required for the contest to run
- Carvers must be on-site 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2026
- Choose one (1) or two (2) medium-sized pumpkins, provided by the Garden
- Carvers must bring their own tools and supplies
- Carving must be suitable for viewing by children — no controversial, commercial, political or religious subjects
- All carved pumpkins become the property of the Atlanta Botanical Garden
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUG. 24