Live pumpkin vines, more family activities and extra covered space are coming to Cork Christmas Tree Farm this October.
After a wonderful first season, Ovens Pumpkin Patch is returning to Cork Christmas Tree Farm for its second year – and 2026 will bring some of the biggest changes we have made across the farm. Families will be able to walk among live pumpkin vines, choose pumpkins growing in the field, enjoy more free games and activities, and make use of additional covered marquee space if the October weather turns wet.
The event will open on 17, 18, 24 and 25 October 2026, with timed arrivals available between 10am and 3pm. Places in each slot are limited, so we recommend that families book pumpkin patch tickets in Cork in advance. Tickets can also be purchased on arrival where availability remains.
What is new at Ovens Pumpkin Patch for 2026?
Our first year showed us exactly what local families value: a relaxed outdoor experience, plenty for children to do and the chance to enjoy Halloween without turning the day into something overly frightening. We have used that feedback to create more room, add more activities and make the farm easier to enjoy in changeable weather.
The biggest development is the introduction of live pumpkin vines. Visitors can explore the growing area and select a pumpkin from the field, bringing the experience closer to real pumpkin picking. By mid-to-late October, pumpkin plants naturally look different from their lush summer growth. Leaves and vines begin to fade as the fruit ripens, so families should expect an authentic autumn crop rather than bright green summer foliage.
We have also cleared more space for games and family activities and increased the amount of covered marquee space. The pumpkin patch remains an outdoor event on a working farm, but the additional shelter gives visitors somewhere to step out of the rain, enjoy the atmosphere and continue parts of the experience when the weather is less cooperative.
A real autumn day out near Cork City
Ovens Pumpkin Patch is based at Cork Christmas Tree Farm in Curraghbeg, Ovens, approximately 15 minutes from Cork City. The working-farm setting is part of what makes the visit special. Instead of moving through an indoor attraction, families spend time outdoors among fields, trees, farm machinery and wide views across the Lee Valley.
A typical visit lasts about one hour. That is enough time to explore the pumpkin area, take part in the games, follow the trail and stop for seasonal photographs without making the outing exhausting for younger children. Timed arrivals help spread visitors across the day and keep the farm comfortable during busy October weekends.
Activities included with admission
Pumpkin picking is at the heart of the event, but it is only one part of the visit. Admission includes access to a varied programme of simple, family-friendly activities around the farm:
- Explore the live pumpkin vines and choose a pumpkin to bring home.
- Try pumpkin bowling and ring toss.
- Make your way through the Spot the Skeleton Maze and count the hidden skeletons.
- Place your pumpkin on the farm-style scales and find out how much it weighs.
- Follow the Spooky Forest Trail and nature walk.
- Meet our friendly Shropshire sheep.
- See farm machinery and experience the setting of a working Cork farm.
- Use the seasonal photo areas and rustic farm backdrops.
- Enjoy additional free games and activities throughout the site.
The Halloween atmosphere is playful rather than intense, making the event suitable for families with younger children as well as older brothers and sisters. There is no pumpkin carving onsite, so pumpkins can be taken home for decorating, cooking or carving under adult supervision.
2026 dates, times and ticket prices
| Detail | 2026 information |
| 2026 dates | Saturday 17, Sunday 18, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October |
| Entry times | Timed slots from 10am to 3pm; the farm closes at 4pm |
| With pumpkin | €15 + booking fee per adult or child aged 2+; includes one small or medium pumpkin |
| Admission only | €10 + booking fee per adult or child aged 2+ |
| Under 2s | Free; add an under-2 ticket when booking |
| Location | Cork Christmas Tree Farm, Curraghbeg, Ovens, Co. Cork, P31 VR99 |
Everyone aged two or older, including accompanying adults, needs a ticket. Families can choose admission with a small or medium pumpkin included or an admission-only ticket. Extra pumpkins can be added while booking and are cheaper when pre-booked online, although pumpkins can also be purchased at the farm.
Food and drinks are sold separately by onsite vendors. Planned options include coffee, tea, hot chocolate, popcorn, candy floss and seasonal sweet treats, giving families the chance to warm up or enjoy a treat during their visit.
What to wear and bring
This is a real working farm, and October conditions in Cork can change quickly. Wellies or sturdy waterproof footwear are the best choice, along with a raincoat and warm layers. The event continues in ordinary wet weather, so dressing for the forecast will make the visit far more comfortable. Portable toilet facilities are available onsite.
There is no need to bring a torch for the advertised daytime slots, and families who include a pumpkin with their ticket will not need to bring special equipment to collect it. If you plan to buy several additional pumpkins, leave enough room in the car to take them home.
Booking information and weather policy
Tickets are attached to the selected date and time and are non-refundable, non-changeable and non-transferable, so please check the booking details carefully before paying. Each time slot has limited capacity, and popular times may sell out as Halloween approaches.
The event goes ahead in wet weather. If a Red Weather Warning means the farm must close, ticket holders will be contacted and moved to a new date. Updates will be shared through the Ovens Pumpkin Patch website and social channels whenever conditions require a change.
Why Year Two will feel different
Year One introduced Cork families to a new seasonal experience at the farm. Year Two builds on that foundation with a more authentic crop area, more room for activities and better wet-weather cover. The character of the event remains the same: local, welcoming and centred on giving families time outdoors together during October.
The farm changes naturally with the seasons. October brings pumpkins, autumn colours and the Halloween atmosphere; later in the year, families can return for our Cork Christmas tree farm season. Both experiences are rooted in the same place and the same idea – helping families mark the season with a genuine visit to the countryside close to Cork City.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ovens Pumpkin Patch open in 2026?
The farm is open on Saturday 17, Sunday 18, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026. Timed arrivals run from 10am to 3pm, and the farm closes at 4pm.
Does every visitor need a ticket?
Everyone aged two and over, including adults, needs a ticket. Children under two enter free, but an under-two ticket should be added to the booking.
Is a pumpkin included?
The €15 ticket includes admission and one small or medium pumpkin. The €10 ticket covers admission only. Extra pumpkins can be pre-booked or purchased onsite.
Can we carve our pumpkin at the farm?
No. Pumpkin carving is not permitted onsite. Visitors can take their pumpkins home to decorate or carve safely.
What happens if it rains?
The event continues in wet weather, and extra covered marquee space has been added for 2026. If a Red Weather Warning forces closure, ticket holders will be contacted and rebooked for another date.
Book your October visit
Choose the ticket option that suits your family, select an available time and add any extra pumpkins before checkout. Book tickets for Ovens Pumpkin Patch and join us for Year Two at Cork Christmas Tree Farm.
