Your Guide to the Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival Near Atlanta

The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival is one of metro Atlanta’s most popular fall traditions, blending pumpkins, light displays, and family-friendly entertainment with the backdrop of Stone Mountain Park, just east of the city. If you live in Atlanta—or you’re visiting in the fall—this is one of the biggest seasonal events to know about.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to what the festival is, what to expect, when to go, and how to make the most of your visit.

What Is the Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival?

The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival is a seasonal event held at Stone Mountain Park, typically running from late September through October. During the day, the park offers classic fall activities and family attractions. At night, it transforms into an illuminated experience commonly branded as a “Pumpkin Festival: Play by Day, Glow by Night” with glowing pumpkins, themed lights, and special shows.

Location:

• Stone Mountain Park
  1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd
  Stone Mountain, GA 30083
  (About 20–30 minutes east of downtown Atlanta, depending on traffic.)

The festival is designed to be family-friendly, but it’s also popular with couples, friend groups, and anyone looking for a fall outing near Atlanta without driving far into north Georgia.

Dates, Hours, and Seasonal Timing

Exact dates and times can vary by year, but you can generally expect:

• Season: Late September – end of October (sometimes into early November)
• Days of operation: Often weekends, with additional days added closer to Halloween or during school breaks
• Daytime hours: Start late morning or early afternoon
• Nighttime “Glow” experience: Begins around dusk and runs into the evening

🕒 Atlanta planning tip:
If you’re driving from intown neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Grant Park, factor in rush hour traffic on I-20, I-285, and Memorial Drive. Weekday evenings can be especially congested; weekends often move more smoothly but can be busy near the park entrance.

Admission, Parking, and What It Really Costs

Stone Mountain’s pricing structure can feel confusing if you’ve never been. Here are the basics most Atlanta visitors care about:

Parking

• Daily parking fee: Stone Mountain Park usually charges a per-vehicle parking fee at the gate.
• This fee is separate from any Pumpkin Festival ticket or attractions pass.
• A yearly parking pass is typically available if you visit Stone Mountain often.

Festival and Attractions Access

You’ll generally see options such as:

• Daily attractions pass (covers many of the park’s attractions plus festival activities)
• Night-only or glow-specific access may be offered in some years
• Kids under a certain age may receive discounted or free admission, depending on current policies

🎟️ Before you go:
Check the current Stone Mountain Park ticket options and Pumpkin Festival details on their official information channels or by calling the park’s main number to confirm what your ticket actually includes. Pricing, bundles, and special offers can change year to year.

What to Expect: Play by Day, Glow by Night

The festival is usually split into two main experiences: daytime fall fun and an immersive nighttime glow.

H2: Daytime Fall Activities

During the day, you can expect a mix of:

• Pumpkin-themed decor and displays around the park
• Fall games and kids’ activities, often including:
  • Mini mazes or obstacle courses
  • Carnival-style games
  • Character meet-and-greets or roaming performers
• Access to many of Stone Mountain’s regular attractions (depending on your ticket), such as:
  • Scenic Railroad
  • 4D theater experiences (when offered)
  • Playgrounds and activity areas

Daytime tends to be best for:

• Families with young children
• Visitors who prefer lower stimulation and less intense lighting or sound
• Those who want to enjoy fall weather, walk the grounds, and explore more calmly

H2: Glow by Night

After sunset, the park transitions into a multi-sensory light and pumpkin experience. While specifics can change each year, common elements include:

• Themed, glowing pumpkin trails and walk-through zones
• Projection and light shows on buildings, trees, and structures
• Music synced to lights, often with fall or family-friendly themes
• Nighttime versions of some attractions or show experiences

Nighttime is best for:

• Visitors who enjoy immersive, visual experiences
• Older kids, teens, and adults who want more energy and spectacle
• Atlanta locals looking for a unique date night or group outing in autumn

Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival at a Glance

Getting to the Pumpkin Festival from Atlanta

Driving from Intown Atlanta

Most Atlantans reach the festival by car. From common intown areas:

• From Downtown / Midtown:
  • Take I-20 East to I-285 North or go via Memorial Drive or East Ponce de Leon depending on traffic.
• From Decatur / East Atlanta:
  • Memorial Drive, Rockbridge Road, or US-78 are common routes.

Expect heavier traffic:

• Near I-285 and US-78 interchanges
• Around festival opening times on weekends
• On Saturday evenings during peak October weekends

Transit and Rideshare

Public transit access is limited:

• The MARTA rail system does not go directly into Stone Mountain Park.
• Some visitors pair MARTA with rideshare (for example, taking MARTA to Avondale or Kensington and catching a rideshare the rest of the way), but you’ll need to factor in wait times and surge pricing at night after the festival.

Rideshare pickup areas can get crowded after the glow shows end, so plan extra time if you need to get back to Atlanta the same night.

What to Wear and Bring (Atlanta-Focused Tips)

Fall weather around Atlanta can be unpredictable—hot in the afternoon and cool after dark.

Clothing tips:

• Layers: Light shirt for the day, plus a hoodie or light jacket for the evening
• Comfortable shoes: Expect a lot of walking, including paved paths and some uneven ground
• Rain-friendly gear: Weather can shift quickly in October, so a small poncho or umbrella is helpful

What to bring:

• Small bag or backpack (check current bag policies)
• Reusable water bottle (within park guidelines)
• Portable phone charger (photos and videos can drain batteries)
• Snacks, if allowed, or a plan to buy food on-site

🍂 Local note: Atlanta evenings near Stone Mountain can feel cooler than in the city core, especially on breezy nights. If you’re coming from warmer in-town streets, don’t underestimate how chilly it can feel once you’re standing outside after dark for a couple of hours.

Food, Drinks, and Fall Treats

You’ll find concession stands, snack spots, and quick-service food options throughout Stone Mountain Park during the festival. Common offerings include:

• Burgers, chicken tenders, and fries
• Pizza or sandwiches
• Funnel cakes, kettle corn, and other fair-style treats
• Soft drinks, hot chocolate, and other seasonal drinks

Many Atlanta-area families plan to:

• Eat a late lunch in the city (Decatur, East Atlanta, or Tucker have many options nearby), then enjoy snacks and dessert at the park, or
• Grab early dinner at the park to avoid leaving and re-entering once they’ve parked.

Food options can vary year to year, and lines may be longer during peak evenings near Halloween.

Is the Festival Good for Kids?

The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival is generally designed with kids and families in mind, from toddlers to pre-teens, but many activities are enjoyable for all ages.

Younger Kids (Toddler – Elementary)

Pros:

• Bright colors, pumpkins, and characters feel friendly, not scary
• Lots of visual stimulation and open areas to walk and explore
• Daytime is usually gentler and less overwhelming

Things to consider:

• Strollers are common and helpful, but some paths can get crowded at peak times.
• Noise and light levels at night can be intense for some children; daytime might be a better fit if you’re unsure.

Older Kids and Teens

Pros:

• Nighttime glow and light shows are usually more exciting for older kids
• Good backdrop for photos and social media content
• Often more entertaining than a basic pumpkin patch due to the tech and production value

Family groups from all over Atlanta—Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Decatur, South Fulton, and beyond—often use this as a one-stop fall outing instead of doing multiple separate pumpkin farms, haunted houses, and light shows.

Accessibility and Comfort Considerations

Stone Mountain Park is a large space with paved roads, paths, and attraction areas, but experiences can vary:

• Walking: Expect to be on your feet for much of your visit; seating is available in certain areas but may be limited during shows.
• Mobility devices: Many visitors use strollers or wheelchairs on the paved surfaces; check current park guidance for rentals or accessible routes.
• Lighting and sound: The nighttime event uses bright lights, projections, and music. If anyone in your group is sensitive to flashing lights or loud environments, you may want to:
  • Focus on daytime activities, or
  • Stay in areas slightly away from central shows where stimulation is lower.

For the most accurate, up-to-date accessibility details, contact the park directly through its main information channels before your visit.

Planning Your Visit from an Atlanta Perspective

To get the most out of the Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival as an Atlanta resident or visitor, consider these planning strategies.

When to Go

• Early in the season (late September / early October):
  • Typically less crowded
  • Warmer evenings, more comfortable for younger kids
• Mid-to-late October weekends:
  • Peak fall vibe with more people and energy
  • Heavier traffic and longer lines

If you’re flexible, many locals prefer:

• Sunday evenings instead of Saturdays
• Arriving a bit before opening or closer to the start of the glow period to beat some rushes

How Long to Stay

For most Atlanta visitors:

• Daytime only: 3–4 hours is usually enough
• Glow by Night only: 2–3 hours can work well
• Both day and night: Plan for 5–7 hours including food, wandering, and shows

Families with small kids often arrive mid-afternoon, enjoy some daytime activities, eat early, then stay for the first part of the glow before heading back toward Atlanta.

Comparing It to Other Atlanta-Area Fall Options

If you’re choosing between fall activities, here’s how the Pumpkin Festival typically fits into the Atlanta area scene:

• More production value than a simple pumpkin patch or small local farm festival
• Closer to intown Atlanta than many north Georgia mountain destinations
• Offers both traditional fall feel (pumpkins, decor) and modern, tech-driven displays (lights, projections)

Many Atlanta residents visit:

• A rural pumpkin patch or corn maze once per season (for hayrides, picking pumpkins off the vine), and
• The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival for a more polished, theme-park-style fall experience within a short drive.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Visitors

• The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival is a major fall event near Atlanta, blending classic seasonal fun with a large-scale glow and light experience at night.
• It’s held at Stone Mountain Park, about 20–30 minutes east of downtown Atlanta, with paid parking and separate admission for attractions and festival access.
• Daytime is best for younger kids and mellow fall activities; nighttime offers immersive glowing pumpkins, music, and light shows.
• Plan around Atlanta traffic, fall weather swings, and potential crowds—especially on October weekends.
• For many local families, couples, and friend groups, it’s a once-per-season fall tradition that’s easier to reach than mountain destinations and more elaborate than a simple pumpkin patch.

If you’re in or around Atlanta in the fall and want a convenient, high-energy seasonal outing, the Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival is one of the closest and most recognizable options to put on your list.