If you have not yet made plans for the weekend, the Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow is an easy one to slot in. It is running through Sunday at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave. in Westerville, and it is the kind of event that is hard to describe without sounding a bit like a postcard: hundreds of illuminated pumpkins spread across the park, a mini fall fair atmosphere, and a family-friendly vibe that makes it a staple of autumn around Columbus.
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The 2026 edition is being billed as bigger and better than ever, and the additions back up the claim. Beyond the glowing pumpkins, there are special pumpkin exhibits, a set of not-so-scary features for younger visitors, and the biggest gourd on display for anyone who likes to compare sizes. The activities are built to keep you moving around the grounds: axe-throwing, mazes, and LED mini golf are all part of the mix, and a rotating selection of food trucks keeps things interesting, with plenty of pumpkin-themed offerings if you are leaning into the season. It is the sort of setup where you can wander at your own pace rather than being funneled through a single path.
Timing is the one thing to get right before you head out. The event runs from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm, so it is strictly an after-dark affair. That is part of the appeal, of course — the pumpkins do not do much for you in the daylight — but it means you are planning for an evening rather than a full day. If you are bringing kids, that window gives you plenty of time to take in the exhibits and the activities without feeling rushed, and the later closing time means you can let the little ones run off some energy before heading home.
For context on how this compares to other fall outings in the area, it is worth knowing what else is going on. Pumpkins Aglow over at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is another big one, with its own set of dates running through the end of October and into early November, and a different price point to consider. And if you are looking for something free and one-night-only, the Pumpkin Hike at Alley Park in Lancaster is a popular choice later in the month. Each of these has its own character, but the Westerville Glow is the one that leans most into the fairground feel, with the activities and the food trucks making it as much about the evening as it is about the pumpkins.
Whether you are going for the pumpkins themselves or just for a low-key autumn evening with the family, the Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow is a reliable pick. It is a seasonal tradition for a reason, and with the 2026 edition running through Sunday, there is still time to catch it before the season turns.
Published Date
17 October 2026
