Oktoberfest isn’t the one factor to get pleasure from throughout autumn in Germany. The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Competition is an annual occasion that takes place within the metropolis of Ludwigsburg, Germany. It is likely one of the largest pumpkin festivals on the planet and attracts 1000’s of holiday makers every year. The competition is thought for its large pumpkins, pumpkin sculptures, and all kinds of pumpkin-inspired meals and drinks.
On this weblog submit, we are going to discover the historical past of Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition, the world’s largest pumpkin, the artwork of pumpkin sculptures, different actions to get pleasure from on the competition, pumpkin-inspired meals and drinks, what to buy on the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Competition, family-friendly enjoyable, ideas for navigating the competition grounds, and what to anticipate in future festivals.

This web site comprises affiliate hyperlinks to merchandise. We might obtain a fee for purchases made via these hyperlinks. Help my weblog right here
TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES
The Final Information to Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition: From Big Pumpkins to Pumpkin Beer
Ludwigsburg stands unmatched within the realm of pumpkins! Between August and December, the Palace grounds develop into dwelling to the globe’s grandest pumpkin show, a major characteristic of the Baroque in Bloom Palace Gardens (Blühendes Barock), an expansive backyard exhibit that embraces a novel theme yearly. There are about 450,000 pumpkins and 600 completely different sorts of pumpkins at this pumpkin competition alone. It’s one of many world’s largest pumpkin competition!
From aromatic edible varieties to ornamental ones, the occasion showcases intricately-carved pumpkin artworks and gives mouthwatering pumpkin-infused delicacies, akin to savory soups, waffles, and the native delicacy, Maultaschen, harking back to ravioli.
The Historical past of Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition: The way it All Started
Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition (Kürbisausstellung Ludwigsburg) started in 1999 as a small occasion organized by a gaggle of native farmers positioned within the German metropolis of Ludwigsburg. It began as a technique to showcase their large pumpkins, pumpkin shows, and have fun the harvest season. Over time, the competition in southwest Germany has grown in measurement and recognition, attracting guests from all around the world. At this time, it is likely one of the most anticipated occasions within the area and has develop into an necessary a part of Ludwigsburg’s cultural heritage. It’s held yearly at Schloss Ludwigsburg on the Ludwigsburg palace gardens.
When is the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Competition?
The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin competition takes place usually between the tip of August generally early September to December. This yr it’s from August 25 – December 3, 2023.
The competition operates each day from 9 am to eight:30 pm – these hours work finest throughout summer time. Nevertheless, in the course of the fall when the solar units quicker, it’s price noting that the venue isn’t illuminated after nightfall, so visiting post-sunset won’t be excellent, and laborious to see the sculptures.
Meals and souvenirs can be found for buy from 10:30 am to five:30 pm day by day.
The place Is The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Competition

The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Competition is held on the grounds of the Ludwigsburg Palace (often known as the “Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg”) in Ludwigsburg, Germany. This occasion, which is famend for being one of many largest pumpkin festivals on the planet, takes place throughout the Baroque in Bloom Palace Gardens (Blühendes Barock), the attractive baroque gardens surrounding the palace. The town of Ludwigsburg is located within the Baden-Württemberg area of southern Germany.
Handle: Schlossstraße 30, 71634 Ludwigsburg
The place to Park: Parkhaus im Marstall
It may be an ideal day journey relying on the place you reside or are visiting from.
- From Stuttgart about half-hour
- From Heidelberg about an hour
- From Munich about 2.5 hours
- From Ramstein about 2 hours
- From Grafenwohr about 3 hours
Price for the Pumpkin Competition
Once you arrive, you may be anticipated to pay for a ticket to see the Pumpkin Competition alone. It doesn’t embrace tickets to the palace and solely supplies you entry to the grounds. The price of tickets is about €10.00 per grownup and €4.80 for youngsters ages 4-15. They settle for playing cards and money as nicely. You might be able to get a gaggle ticket for households or a household ticket, so remember to ask for the worth of that relying on the scale of your loved ones.
It’s also possible to go to the Ludwigsburg fortress at an additional value if you wish to discover past simply the fortress grounds and the pumpkin competition.
It’s endorsed to buy your tickets on the location because the tickets prematurely are extra of a problem than it’s price since they take a number of days to reach. For the reason that grounds are pretty giant, you shouldn’t have to fret about not with the ability to entry or attain capability no matter how busy it’s.
The World’s Largest Pumpkin: A Should-See Attraction on the Competition
One of many primary highlights of Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition is the world’s largest pumpkin exhibition. This large pumpkin weighs a number of hundred kilograms and is grown particularly for the competition. It’s rigorously transported to the competition grounds and displayed for guests to marvel at. Enjoyable information in regards to the large pumpkin embrace its spectacular measurement, the quantity of water it requires to develop, and the methods utilized by farmers to make sure its optimum development. Yearly’s theme are completely different so the exhibitions and pumpkin artwork will all be completely different from final yr and also you’ll see among the greatest pumpkins in Europe.
The Artwork of Pumpkin Carving: Suggestions and Methods from the Consultants
One other widespread attraction at Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition is the pumpkin carving competitors. Contributors from all around the world showcase their abilities and creativity by carving intricate designs into pumpkins. Previous winners of the competitors have shared their ideas and methods for reaching spectacular pumpkin carvings. Photographs of their creations function inspiration for guests who wish to strive their hand at pumpkin carving.
Past the Pumpkin Patch: Different Actions to Get pleasure from on the Competition
Whereas the large pumpkins and pumpkin carving competitors are the primary sights within the city of Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition gives many different actions for guests to get pleasure from. You should definitely examine the official web site for dates of upcoming occasions:
- September 23-24: Germany’s Largest Pumpkin Soup – greatest bowl of pumpkin soup
- October 9: Pumpkin Weighing – Discover out the heaviest pumpkin on the planet
- October 15: Pumpkin Carving Competitors
- October 21-22: Pumpkin Carving for the Public
- October 28-31: Jack o Lanterns or Pumpkin Lighting
- November 26: The “Slaughter” Competition the place pumpkins are smashed open. Though that is usually the final day of the competition.
From Candy to Savory: The Greatest Pumpkin-Impressed Meals to Strive
One of many highlights of Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition is the wide range of pumpkin-inspired meals obtainable. There are a few meals distributors the place you may get some native dishes. From candy treats like pumpkin waffles to savory dishes like pumpkin soup and pumpkin ravioli, there’s something for everybody to get pleasure from. Guests may also pattern distinctive creations like pumpkin ice cream and pumpkin-flavored sausages. You could be desirous to strive some pumpkin pie, however sadly, that wasn’t one thing I used to be in a position to see there.
Listing of Pumpkin Meals to Strive
- Pumpkin Cream Soup
- Pumpkin Fries
- Pumpkin Pasta
- Pumpkin Risotto
- Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Waffles
- Pumpkin Wine/Pumpkin Prosecco
- Pumpkin Ice Cream
- Pumpkin Bratwurts
- Pumpkin Veggie Rice
Pumpkin Beer, Wine, and Cocktails: A Information to the Competition’s Boozy Choices
For these trying to take pleasure in some alcoholic drinks, Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition has lots to supply. There are pumpkin beers, pumpkin-infused wines, and pumpkin liquor obtainable for guests to get pleasure from. These drinks are made utilizing contemporary pumpkins and different seasonal components, creating distinctive flavors which might be excellent for autumn.
I extremely advocate grabbing a bottle of the pumpkin liquor as a memento, it’s fairly scrumptious and inexpensive in worth. I wasn’t a giant fan of pumpkin wine, however it’s obtainable as nicely if that’s one thing you want to get pleasure from.
The Pumpkin Market: What Pumpkin Merchandise to Purchase
Guests who wish to take dwelling some pumpkins or pumpkin merchandise can go to the pumpkin market at Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition. Right here, they will discover all kinds of pumpkins, starting from small ornamental ones to giant carving pumpkins. There are additionally different pumpkin-related merchandise on the market, akin to pumpkin seeds, pumpkin spice mixes, and pumpkin-scented candles. It’s also possible to buy pumpkin liquid, pumpkin wine, and some different knick-knacks and enjoyable objects to take a look at.
Household-Pleasant Enjoyable: Actions and Leisure for Youngsters on the Competition

Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition is a family-friendly occasion with loads of actions and leisure choices for youngsters. There are interactive actions, occasions, and extra to maintain children entertained.
On the grounds, you even have entry to the storybook park. On the park, you’ll be able to undergo the storybooks and fairy tales historically in Germany and past. After all, many of those are in Germany, however it’s nonetheless a enjoyable and thrilling factor to do. You may see Tapunzel’s tower the place her hair comes down from the window of the fortress.
Within the park, you may as well pay to experience on a small practice which we had a blast doing! It’s a brilliant enjoyable expertise.
Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition is definitely accessible by public transportation, with common practice and bus providers to town. For these driving, there are designated parking areas close to the competition grounds. As soon as on the competition, guests can use a map to navigate the varied sights and meals stalls. It’s endorsed to reach early to keep away from crowds and benefit from the competition expertise. If you would like extra particular particulars, hold studying.
Driving in Germany
This would be the best, most direct and quickest path to the pumpkin competition in Ludwidgsburg. You may simply discover parking heaps or parking garages throughout the space simply by typing in your GPS “Parkhaus” close by. You may simply lease a automotive in Germany as nicely in case you are visiting whereas on trip to make this a easy and simple technique to journey round Germany.
Handle: Schlossstraße 30, 71634 Ludwigsburg
The place to Park: Parkhaus im Marstall
Practice/Public Transportation
Germany has first rate public transportation networks. Your place to begin determines the ticket and route required to achieve Ludwigsburg. Think about these choices:
- Baden-Württemberg-Ticket: €24 for the first traveler, with €5 for every extra companion (as much as a complete of 5 passengers). This ticket is legitimate from 9 am to three am the following day and covers all regional trains, in addition to S and U-Bahns.
- Quer-durchs-Land-Ticket: €42 for the preliminary passenger and an added €6.50 for every subsequent traveler (capping at 5 passengers in complete)
To navigate the English model of the DB Web site:
- Choose ‘Presents’ on the high, then Regional Presents.
- From the left panel, select Regional day tickets.
For essentially the most simple instructions, use Google Maps and enter the tackle.
Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Competition Total Ideas
Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition is a must-visit occasion for pumpkin lovers and anybody searching for a fun-filled day trip. With its large pumpkins, pumpkin carving competitions, scrumptious meals and drinks, and family-friendly actions, there’s something for everybody to get pleasure from. Whether or not you’re a fan of pumpkin meals and drinks or just wish to marvel on the world’s largest pumpkin, Ludwigsburg’s Pumpkin Competition is an expertise to not be missed. So mark your calendars and begin planning your go to to this unimaginable celebration of all issues pumpkin.
Appreciated this submit in regards to the pumpkin competition in Ludwigsburg? Pin it!
