OCTOBER 2025

If you are a frequent visitor of this website and my Instagram, you already know I am a big fan of pumpkins and seasonal activities. You might remember my pictures from Gertrudenhof. During spring I visited the amazing tulip gardens of Castle Groot-Bijgaarden/Grand-Bigard near Brussels. In fall they switch themes and turn it into a pumpkin park. Of course I had to see this with my own eyes and it certainly did not disappoint. The park looks beautiful with the autumn colors and it is even more magical with all the pumpkin displays. In this blogpost I will give you all my recommendations for the perfect day out. 

Practical information

The pumpkin festival is usually held between the end of September and beginning of November. You can book your tickets for the pumpkin park via the website. Especially if you visit during holidays or weekends I recommend to book your tickets in advance. We visited on October 17, a Friday with okay weather and tickets were not sold out, but on pretty days they can definitely sell out. Please check the website for opening hours and availability. Tickets cost € 15 for adults, kids under 6 are free and there are some other discount options. Parking is free and usually there are sufficient parking spots near the castle. In the park you will find a restaurant selling simple, pumpkin dishes, such as soup, pumpkin fries and pumpkin muffins. If you are visiting on a pretty day, the outside terrace is particularly atmospheric. There also are tables in a greenhouse, for rainy days. The park features a little playground, which is great for entertaining kids. 

Pumpkimania

The pumpkin park yearly switches themes and in 2025 the theme is “Romans”. You will find gladiators, Julius Caesar, Roman gods and Roman pillars all throughout the park. The organization seems to work closely with the pumpkin park in Ludwigsburg, Germany and they seem to exchange themes. I also loved the giant pumpkins that were on display, I had no idea a pumpkin can weigh 750 kilograms. We spent about 3 hours exploring the castle grounds and taking pictures of the pumpkin displays. A lovely way to spend a pretty autumn day!

Halloween activities

Pumpkimania has extra long opening hours for Halloween. In the last week of October you can enjoy a Halloween display with a creepy décor. You can buy separate tickets for this event, or visit in the afternoon and stay in the evening with your regular ticket.