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Please note the following information is from 2023 although the dates are correct for 2024.
Please return 3-4 weeks prior to the event when we post information for the 2024 event.

Unforgettably Delicious Food

Pumpkin Spice Never Tasted This Good

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.

food friends enjoying festival fare
Pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, 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.

Nachos from Main Street Scholars

Nachos from Main Street Scholars

New this year are crunchy nachos with warm cheese sauce, pumpkin salsa, sliced jalapenos and pepitas by Main Street Scholars.
Ravioli from Community United Methodist Church

Ravioli from Community United Methodist Church

Enjoy hearty pumpkin or butternut squash ravioli from Community United Methodist Church.
Pancake Breakfast from HMB High School Boys Basketball

Pancake Breakfast from HMB High School Boys Basketball

Dedicated early birds can beat the traffic and start the day off right with a hearty stack of Half Moon Bay’s famous pumpkin pancakes (or buttermilk pancakes) served with a smile by the exceptional student/athletes on the HMB High School Varsity Boys Basketball Team. Top it off with sausage, fresh orange juice, tea or coffee, and you have the makings of a winning breakfast. They start serving at 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the City Hall lot at Main and Kelly. Get tickets in advance to avoid the line.
Grilled Sausages & Pumpkin Pie from HMB Beautification Committee

Grilled Sausages & Pumpkin Pie 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

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 Milkshakes from HMB High School Water Polo

Pumpkin Milkshakes 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 Rolls from 4-H Club

Pumpkin Rolls from 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 Bread & Muffins from AAUW

Pumpkin Bread & Muffins from AAUW

American Association of University Women (AAUW) will be serving its delicious, all-natural pumpkin bread, by the slice or loaf, using the revered “Grandma” recipe, and their heavenly, sweet pumpkin muffins and coffee.
Pumpkin Cheesecake from San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers

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.
Pumpkin Cookies & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds from Coastside Land Trust

Pumpkin Cookies & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds 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 and Cheese from Mariner’s Church Coastside

Mac and 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.
Brussels Sprouts, Artichokes & Green Beans from Knights of Columbus

Brussels Sprouts, Artichokes & Green Beans from Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus take pride in crusading for the much maligned Brussels sprout and more beloved artichoke, two of the most prolific Coastside crops. Cooked in a zesty marinara sauce, the sprouts have a flavorful taste that make converts out of everyone who tries them. After removing the leaves and prickly hairs, the artichokes are steamed leaving just the delicate hearts which are then sauteed in an aromatic blend of garlic, olive oil and herbs. Plus there are the gourmet-good green beans!
Clam Chowder in Bread Bowls from HMB Rotary Club

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.
Garlic Fries from the Boy Scouts

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.
Kettle Corn from HMB High School Girls Basketball

Kettle Corn from HMB High School Girls Basketball

Enjoy tasty kettle corn from the Half Moon Bay High School Lady Cougar Basketball team.
Scrumptious Crepes from Coast Pride

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.
Gourmet Sausages & Hot Dogs from Cabrillo Unified School District-SIPA

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.
Corn Dogs from HMB Girls Softball

Corn Dogs from HMB Girls Softball

Savor a killer corn dog from the Half Moon Bay Girls Softball Club.
Tamales from Cougar Boosters

Tamales from Cougar Boosters

Hungry for some Mex? Try the Cougar Boosters super delicious chicken, beef and pork tamales with a bold mole sauce.
Root Beer Floats from HMB Volunteer Fire Department

Root Beer Floats from HMB Volunteer Fire Department

Cool off with a root beer float from by the Half Moon Bay Volunteer Fire Department.

Hot Beef Sandwiches from IDES Society

Hunch into the popular hot beef sandwiches on a soft roll by the IDES Society.
Grilled Burgers & Corn on the Cob from The Lions Club

Grilled Burgers & Corn on the Cob 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.

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.
Pumpkin Pie Cotton Candy from HMB High School Music Boosters

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.

Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival
Celebrating the Great & Almighty Gourd
October 19-20, 2024 – 9am to 5pm
Main Street, Half Moon Bay, CA