Hunsader’s pumpkin festival has three weekends. Here’s how I’d pick one.

Three chances to make it feel like fall

October in Florida does not always supply sweater weather, but it can still supply a proper pumpkin day. Hunsader Farms has set its 2026 Pumpkin Festival for October 10–11, 17–18 and 24–25, with festival hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

The farm is at 5500 County Road 675 in Bradenton. This is a nearby outing from Parrish, with a full day available if your family wants it. I would choose a weekend around the things the kids actually want to see, then leave room for wandering. Trying to collect every attraction can turn a farm visit into homework.

The headline attractions vary by weekend, which gives those six dates a little more personality than six identical calendar squares.[1]

Choose the show, then choose the day

The American Motor Drome Wall of Death and FMX motocross shows are listed for October 17–18 and 24–25. BMX appears on the first two weekends, October 10–11 and 17–18. That makes the middle weekend the overlap for families interested in all three.

One Night Rodeo is listed for all six festival days, noon–2 p.m. Hunsader says the entertainment on its festival-show page is included with admission. That is different from saying every ride, game or purchase on the property is included.

For costumes, the final Sunday has its own draw. October 25 includes children’s costume contests beginning at 1 p.m., with times divided by age, a dog costume contest at 2:30 p.m. and trick-or-treating for children in costume from 3–5 p.m.

My choice would come down to one question: are we going for the shows or for the Halloween afternoon? Pick the middle weekend for the broadest overlap of those action shows; pick October 25 if costumes and trick-or-treating are the main event.[3][2]

The admission bill before the extras

The posted gate prices are $15 for ages 10 and older, $5 for ages 5–9 and free for children younger than 5. Parking adds $5. Two adults, a 7-year-old and a child under 5 arriving in one car would therefore start at $40, before food and extra activities.

The gate is cash only, although some vendors accept cards. The corn maze and children’s train are each listed at $2 per person; the big train is $3. Other vendors set their own prices.

I would separate the admission money from a little spending cash for the extras. That makes it easier to say yes to the thing everyone really wants without discovering that the entire day’s budget went through the gate.[2]

Make the day yours

There is no prize for staying from opening until closing. A morning built around a show and lunch can be enough; the last Sunday’s trick-or-treating makes more sense as an afternoon visit. Those are two very different days, even at the same farm.

Use the festival’s 9 a.m. opening when planning this outing. The farm’s ordinary business hours are a separate schedule. The linked festival pages have the entertainment lineup and the full list of attractions together.[1]