Harvest Pumpkin Festival 2026

Celebrating 26 years of fall fun

In 2026, Armstrong’s Harvest Pumpkin Festival marks its 26th edition, continuing a long-standing tradition that brings residents and visitors together through creativity, culture, and community celebration.

Held from October 2 to 12, 2026, the festival transforms downtown Armstrong into a vibrant autumn gathering place. Over ten days, the festival offers inclusive, family-friendly programming, including free workshops, live music, interactive activities, and a signature Family Day event, ensuring broad access for all ages and abilities.

Workshop registration is now open. Use the registration button above to reserve a workshop spot. Additional partner activities will be added as details are confirmed.

2026 festival schedule

Friday, October 2

• Harvest Pumpkin Festival begins.
• Scarecrows on the Street Trail begins.
• Silverwinds Flute Ensemble — 7:00 PM at Zion United Church. The Harvest Dinner is sold out, but everyone is welcome to attend the free concert at 7:00 PM.

Saturday, October 3

• KG Woodcraft — Woodcarving Demonstrations with Kamron Garbe, approximately 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Location TBA.
• Live Music with Stef — 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Location TBA.

Sunday, October 4

• Jennifer Blake Block Printing Workshop — 1:00 to 3:00 PM at Armstrong Odd Fellows Hall. Free; registration required. Bring a plain, pre-washed T-shirt or squares of cotton material.

Monday, October 5

• Fall Sourdough Pancake and Waffle Workshop with Okanagan Cliffs Sourdoughs — 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Armstrong Odd Fellows Hall. Free; registration required.

Tuesday, October 6

• Free Introduction to Line Dancing — 10:00 AM at Zion United Church. Free drop-in activity; no pre-registration required.
• Hands-On Blacksmithing with Michael Lobsiger of Iron and Hammer Forge — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Armstrong Odd Fellows Hall. Free; pre-registration required.
• Livin’ On Strings at Village Dairy — 3:00 PM. Free.
• Fall Watercolour Workshop with Lisa — 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the PV Blvd Coffee “B” Room. Supplies are available for up to 15 participants. Free; pre-registration required.

Wednesday, October 7

• Fall Origami for Kids with Nanae at Armstrong Odd Fellows Hall. Doors open at 4:00 PM, with instruction from approximately 4:30 to 6:00 PM. For ages 5 to 10; maximum 15 children. Free; pre-registration required.

Thursday, October 8

• Vernon Lapidary Rock Club — 2:00 to 6:00 PM. Drop-in demonstrations; all ages welcome. On Pleasant Valley Road inside the Rancho Vignola Building.
• Blu & Kelly at PV Blvd Coffee — 3:00 to 4:00 PM. Free.
• Hometown Famous at Farmstrong Cider — 4:00 to 7:30 PM.

Friday, October 9

• Harvest Beeswax Candle Holder Workshop with Bookish Collective — 2:00 to 4:00 PM at PV BLVD Coffee – B Room. Free; pre-registration required. Register online.
• Fall Canning Workshops with Maia at Armstrong Odd Fellows Hall — 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Each session is limited to 25 participants. Free; pre-registration required.
• Reading is Magic with Fizzban Wizard at Okanagan Regional Library — Armstrong Branch. Time TBA. Free.

Saturday, October 10 — Family Day

Armstrong Spallumcheen Fairgrounds | 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM | Free

View the Harvest Pumpkin Festival Family Day event listing.

Free activities include:

• Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In: entries from 9:00 to 11:00 AM; winner announced at 11:00 AM.
• Great Pumpkin Launch: trials begin at 12:00 PM; competition begins at 1:00 PM.
• Okanagan Science Centre: mini catapult activity.
• Moo-Bile Dairy Classroom — 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM: milking demonstrations, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and more.
• KG Woodcraft: woodcarving demonstrations with Kamron Garbe.
• Iron and Hammer Forge: blacksmithing demonstrations with Michael Lobsiger.
• DragonFly Make and Take with Marilyn Bridge — 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM: one dragonfly per person in the Horticulture Building.
• Pumpkin Gnome Make and Take with Susan — 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Horticulture Building.
• Armstrong Preschool Kids Fall Art Make and Take — 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM: Horticulture Building.
• Girl Guides: kids activity.
• Wetlands education and activity table.
• Square dancing with Will Cullen — 10:00 AM: behind the Horticulture Building, moving inside if it rains.
• Live entertainment with Stef.
• Blu & Kelly Hopkins — 3:00 to 4:00 PM.
• Vendors, artisans, and additional activities.

Sunday, October 11

Festival programming is coming soon / TBA.

Monday, October 12 — Final Day

• Final day of the Harvest Pumpkin Festival and Scarecrows on the Street Trail.
• Final-day programming is coming soon / TBA.

Great Pumpkin Launch

Saturday, October 10, 2026
Armstrong Spallumcheen Fairgrounds
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 2

Build a catapult, slingshot or trebuchet and send pumpkins flying toward the target. There are no restrictions on the design of your entry other than it must be people-powered.

Adult Category

• Entry fee: $25
• Pumpkins provided — approximately 5 lbs.
• Prizes: $250 Closest to the Target; $250 Greatest Distance; $50 gift certificate for Best Costumes

Youth Category – 18 & Under

Adult supervision required. Families, homeschoolers, youth groups, and Physics and Tech-Ed students are welcome!

• Entry fee: FREE
• Pumpkins provided — approximately 1 lb.
• Prizes: $150 Closest to the Target; $150 Greatest Distance; $100 Chamber Bucks for Best Costumes

Event Schedule

Trials begin at 12:00 PM, with each team receiving five pumpkins for trials.

Competition launches begin at 1:00 PM, with each team receiving another five pumpkins for the contest.

All teams must be registered in advance.

The 2026 registration form will be added here when it is ready.

BONUS: Every registered team will be entered to win a $50 Co-op Gas Card!

Questions? Contact the Chamber at (250) 546-8155 or [email protected].

View the standalone Great Pumpkin Launch event listing.

Scarecrows in the Street

A signature feature of the festival is Scarecrows in the Street, a refreshed evolution of the long-running scarecrow program. Local businesses, community organizations, schools, and families are invited to design and display imaginative scarecrows throughout the downtown core.

These installations animate public spaces, encourage walkability, support local businesses, and foster civic pride by turning streets into shared spaces of creativity and connection. Visit the Scarecrows on the Street 2026 page for entry details, voting information, and the map when it is available.

2026 participating locations

• Armstrong Veterinary Clinic
• Lordco Auto Parts
• CIBC
• Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
• Armstrong Preschool
• Quilting For You
• Shepherd’s Outdoor Living Centre
• Royal LePage Downtown Realty
• Grandma’s Hall
• Valley First Credit Union
• Rossworn Henderson LLP

The 2026 Scarecrows on the Street map is being prepared and will be added when it is ready. The online voting page and QR code are also in development, and voting details will be posted once they are available.

Rooted in community

Building on more than two decades of success, the Harvest Pumpkin Festival strengthens social connections, supports local artists and volunteers, and reinforces Armstrong’s identity as a welcoming, community-driven destination.

Whether attending for the first time or returning year after year, participants are invited to experience a festival rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and fall spirit.

Fun for the whole family. Rooted in community. Full of fall spirit.