Looking for a way to get in the Halloween spirit close to home? The Stone Mountain Park Pumpkin Festival is the perfect event!
Stone Mountain Park offers more than just their summertime Laser Show. In the fall, the park transforms into all things pumpkin! The Play by Day, Glow by Night Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park is a family-friendly weekend event that is sure to thrill family members and friends of all ages.
This year’s festival will be held on weekends from September 17 – October 30, 2022.
Attending the annual Pumpkin Festival is the perfect way to enjoy all the park attractions and special fall entertainment!
PUMPKIN FEST BASICS
The Stone Mountain Play By Day, Glow By Night is a ticketed experience. You must either have an Attractions Pass or a Mountain Membership to access the event and the attractions, in addition to the Daily Parking Pass.
The festival hours are from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Sundays.
The General Attractions Pass for this seasonal event is $39.95 for adults and $34.95 for children 3-11. Mountain Membership is the name of Stone Mountain Park’s annual pass, and it’s $59.95 for adults and $49.94 for kids.
Parking is $20 per day, or an annual parking pass is $40. We have more information on parking below.
PLAY BY DAY
The “Play By Day” part of the experience is for enjoying the park!
Play by day as you enjoy family-friendly park attractions and special fall entertainment featuring plenty of your favorite classic storybook characters! Use your Attractions Pass or Mountain Membership to ride the scenic train, play adventure golf, and more. There’s plenty of family fun to be had.
Once dusk arrives, get ready for lots of glowing, pumpkin-y fun!
DO YOU HAVE THE GUTS FOR A PIE EATING CONTEST?
What says “festival” more than a good ole pie eating contest?!?
Both adults and children are invited to challenge their peers (and stomachs) in Peter Peter’s Pie Eating Contest to see who can consume the most delicious pies before the time runs out. Maybe you’ll even set a Pumpkin Festival record!
RIDE THE SCENIC RAILROAD
Taking a ride on the scenic railroad at Stone Mountain Park is an absolute must-do activity. The train ride will take you on a 5-mile trip around the bottom of Stone Mountain. The ride lasts about 25 minutes.
This 1940s train is a great way to take in the beauty of the park, and will get you excited for the nighttime festivities.
EXPLORE THE PARK
When you first arrive at the festival, there is plenty to do before it gets dark. Take your kids to visit the Dinotorium, a 4-level indoor play space filled with fun. Speaking of dinosaurs, Dinosaur Explore is an all-new experience. This interactive, prehistoric creature experience features more than 20 life-size dinosaurs, moving and roaring.
Take a ride on the Summit Skyride, the high-speed Swiss cable car that provides a stunning view of the carving on the side of Stone Mountain. The cable car transports you 825 feet above the ground to the top of Stone Mountain.
GLOW BY NIGHT
When dusk falls, the park is really going to come alive with pumpkin-y goodness! You’ll love the festive fall decor, and picture-worthy spots throughout. There are amazing trees, leaves, carved pumpkin displays, and more. You’ll get in the Halloween spirit right away.
At the “Glow by Night” portion of the day, you’ll take an outdoor journey through classic storybook tales that come to life in 10 new themed areas with over 40 newly imagined scenes, thousands of glowing lights, massive carved pumpkins, bubbles, fog and plenty of not-so-spooky, glowing adventures after sunset. The kids will LOVE this.
The glowing decor is simply amazing. You’ll see plenty of jack-o-lanterns light up the park after the sun goes down.
PUMPKIN FEST PARADE
The themed holiday parades here are spectacular and cannot be missed!
The NEW nighttime Pumpkin Festival parade is a glowing party for your whole family! Join your favorite fairy tale characters at the high-energy parade that wraps up with a fireworks finale you won’t want to miss.
NEW Glow-In-The-Dark Experiences
The best part of the “Glow by Night” is…the glowing! In 2022, Stone Mountain Park’s Pumpkin Festival will feature five new and returning glow-in-the-dark experiences.
From pirate & buried treasure at Treasure Island, to the Queen of Hearts Maze, to glowing Dinosaurs, you’ll find more glow than ever before. You’ll see the T-Rex, Triceratops, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and more in a whole new light.
You and your crew can wander through a glowing wonderland of towering trees and oversized flowers in the Enchanted Forest too.
EXPLORE THE THEMED AREAS
In addition to all the glowing experiences, you’ll also find 10 themed areas featuring scenes from some of your favorite storybook, nursery rhyme, fairy tale, and literary characters.
The kids will love these fun scenes, and seeing their favorite stories in a new way.
LASER SHOW
You can’t visit Stone Mountain Park without seeing a Laser Show!
Gather on the lawn for a special Laser Show celebrating all things pumpkin! This 15-minute show brings the Halloween spirit to life, playing your favorite Halloween songs, choreographed to laser lights and fireworks.
DINE ON MORE THAN PUMPKIN TREATS
Stone Mountain offers several different dining options — so there’s something for everyone!
If you’re in the mood for barbecue, stop by Base Camp BBQ. They feature Williamson Brothers B.B.Q. sauce, and it’s delicious. They also offer yummy salads and sides. The smell will pull you in from the sidewalk!
If you’re headed to the Scenic Railroad, the Marketplace is a great dining option. It’s set up as a grab-and-go restaurant, so it’s easy and has a lot of kid-friendly options. It’s right next to the railroad, making it super easy.
Hydrate is a great place to stop for an Arctic Blast or another tasty treat.
TIPS FOR ARRIVAL AND PARKING AT THE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Daily Parking is $20, with the option to add on Preferred Parking for an additional $10. This will allow you to park at the front of the Crossroads Parking lot.
If you think you may become a frequent visitor, there are also Annual Parking passes available for $40.
Follow the clear signage to the Crossroads Parking Lot. Stone Mountain does allow you to bring in your own food and beverages (no alcohol in the park).
One of the best things about Stone Mountain’s Pumpkin Festival is that you don’t have to pay an extra fee to attend, it’s included in your daily Adventure Pass ticket!
If you buy your tickets online in advance, you can also pay for parking online as well.
STAY AT STONE MOUNTAIN PARK
If you’re looking for a multi-day adventure, Stone Mountain Park offers several different lodging options.
You might want to consider a stay at the Inn at Stone Mountain Park, a 92-room historic replica of a Southern antebellum home.
There’s also the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort. This is a AAA 4-Diamond resort that features two pools, two championship golf courses, a day spa and many other family activities.
For those who want to experience more of the outdoors, there’s an abundance of different camping options available. You can choose from renting a yurt, RV, or Safari Tent — or you can reserve a spot for your own tent or camper!
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO STONE MOUNTAIN PARK
- YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
- FALL FESTIVALS: 50+ Best Fall Festivals In Georgia That You’ll Love
- HIGHLAND GAMES: An Insider’s Guide To The Best Scottish Heritage Festival
- YELLOW DAISY FESTIVAL: Your Complete Guide To The Stone Mountain Yellow Daisy Festival
- STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS: Your Complete Guide To All The Holiday Fun
WHERE TO STAY NEAR STONE MOUNTAIN
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She relishes the discovery of obscure, offbeat and unwonted places, and she will chat up any willing stranger to uncover a new secret locale. If she’s not exploring in the RV, she’s either hiking the trails or checking out the whiskey scene at their current location.
Lesli lives and travels with her two kiddos -Cooper and Elliot- and her soul mate, husband and business partner, Dan. They call Colorado home, at least for the moment.
