Pumpkin Carving Contest
Saturday
October 24, 2026
It’s neighbor versus neighbor in this friendly but fierce competition! Our fun, free and festive pumpkin decorating contest has grown into a community favorite, and 2026 was its 12th year. Eighty-three entries graced the park lawn this year, and competition was extra fierce.
A BIG thank you to our judges!! We don’t know how you decided the winners given all the incredible competition.
- Miesha Smith – Deputy Borough President, Manhattan
- Tricia Shimamura – NYC Parks Commissioner
- Alberto Roldan – Manhattan Borough Commissioner NYC Parks
- Sal Ajami – Physical Education Teacher PS 234
- Rachael Elderfield – LoLa TriBeCa
View our Instagram event post (@washingtonmarketpark)
Thank you to our event sponsors for 2026: Tribeca Music and NoBiggie!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 WINNERS!
OVERALL WINNER
“Eat Your Vegtables”
MASTER BLADE
“Hansel & Gretel”
FUNNIEST
Winner: “Minecraft”
Runner Up: “Mumpkin March”
SCARIEST
Winner: “Mahoraga”
Runner Up: “Stranger Things”
CUTEST
Winner: “Schmoopie The Apple Lover”
Runner Up: “Five Boolow”
MOST REALISTIC
Winner: “Gourd Tokugawa”
Runner Up: “FIFA World Cup”
MOST CREATIVE
Winner: “Pumpkin Pie”
Runner Up: “All the Eternal Love I Have For The Pigeon.”
Contest Rules
Bring your own pumpkin to enter, or just stop by with your family to enjoy the festive display! This is community event – free and open to everyone.
- 3-5pm – Bring your already-carved or decorated pumpkin into the park! Volunteers will check you in, and you will arrange your pumpkin in the designated area.
- 5-5:30pm –Our contest judges will assess the field of entries in five categories: most creative, funniest, scariest, cutest and most realistic, and master blade with trophies as prizes for the winners and runners-up.
- 5:30pm – All winners will be announced in the park and on our instagram page!
- After awards are distributed, you are welcome to take your pumpkin home OR carry it to our garden pumpkin patch where it can spend Halloween week! Afterwards, the remaining pumpkins will be composted.
