Welcome to The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival 2021
Please check here frequently as we post and update more 2021 Festival information, Schedules and Events.
Skeletons will begin invading Highwood the weekend of October 1 to get the community geared up for kick off of The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest October 8th through 10th. While the Festival footprint may look different from past years with no street closures through Downtown Highwood to alleviate crowding, the familiar feel of The Great Highwood Pumpkin Fest will remain with a few twists.
Defen95 will be on-site at The Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival to offer FREE COVID-19 testing to all attendees, volunteers and vendors!
Click HERE to pre-register and beat the lines. Located at City Hall Park.
Pets Welcome!
Community Appreciation Night Thursday October 7
5:00-9:00 pm | Three All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations located at Everts Park, City Hall Park and at 424 Sheridan Road (across from Buffo’s), Live Music and Full Bar at City Hall Park |
5:00-9:00 pm | Unlimited Carnival Ride Special- ONLY $25 per person |
7:00-9:30 pm | Live Music at DJ and Local Musicians Showcase @ City Hall Park Stage |
Friday October 8
4:00 pm | Festival Opens – Food and Artisan Craft Vendors, All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations, Hay Rides, Mechanical Bull and more! |
4:00–11:00 pm | Live Music at Bernardi Securities Main Stage @ Everts Park |
4:00–6:00 pm | Trick or Treating Throughout Festival Grounds Sponsored by ‘Z’ Frank Apachi Day Camp Stop by their booth to pick up a bag to for collecting treats |
5:00–10:00 pm | Carnival Rides & Games |
5:30–9:30 pm | Prime Time Carnival Unlimited Ride Special- ONLY $30 per person |
7-930 pm | Live Music at DJ and Local Musicians Showcase @ City Hall Park Stage |
7:45 pm | HPHS Charity Drive Announcement on Main Stage at Everts Park and Ceremonial Wall Lighting |
11:00 pm | Festival Close |
Saturday October 9
9:00 am | Scare Run 5K from Totem Pole Park at the corner of Waukegan and Walker Avenues |
11:00 am | Festival Opens – Food and Artisan Craft Vendors, All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations, Hay Rides, Mechanical Bull and more! |
11:00 am–11:00 pm | Live Music at Bernardi Securities Main Stage @ Everts Park |
1:00 - 10:00 pm | Carnival Rides & Games |
1:00 – 10:30 pm | Live Music at DJ and Local Musicians Showcase @ City Hall Park Stage |
1:00 – 5:00 pm | Unlimited Carnival Ride Special - ONLY $25 per person |
5:30 –9:30 pm | Prime Time Carnival Unlimited Ride Special- ONLY $30 per person |
8:00 pm | HPHS Charity Drive Announcement on Main Stage at Everts Park and Ceremonial Wall Lighting |
11:00 pm | Festival Close |
Sunday October 10
11:00 am | Festival Opens – Food and Artisan Craft Vendors, All-You-Can Carve Pumpkin Stations, Hay Rides, Mechanical Bull and more! |
11:00 am–9:00 pm | Live Music at Bernardi Securities Main Stage @ Everts Park |
12:00 pm | Pet Costume Contest at City Hall Park Stage - Sign Up Here Sponsored by VCA Cairo Animal Hospital |
1:00 pm | Kids Costume Contest at City Hall Park Stage - Sign Up Here |
1:00 - 9:00 pm | Carnival Rides & Games |
1:00 – 5:00 pm | Unlimited Carnival Ride Special - ONLY $25 per person |
2:00 pm | Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest at City Hall Park Stage Sponsored by The Bent Fork Bakery - Sign Up Here |
3:00 – 9:00 pm | Live Music at DJ and Local Musicians Showcase @ City Hall Park Stage |
7:00 pm | HPHS Charity Drive Announcement on Main Stage at Everts Park and Ceremonial Wall Lighting |
9:00 pm | Festival Close |