Pumpkins with a Touch of Home

As an American living in Germany, I’ve been missing the cozy autumn traditions from back home in Washington state. I’ve been feeling quite homesick lately, so I decided to visit the World’s Largest Pumpkin Exhibition at Blühendes Barock in Ludwigsburg, running from August 23–November 2, 2025. This exhibition, or pumpkin patch, turned out to be exactly what I needed.

I didn’t have high expectations but was pleasantly surprised. This year’s theme featured pumpkin figures from the film world, and walking through the gardens felt like stepping into a whimsical movie scene. We saw everything from Mickey Mouse to Yoda statues all made from pumpkins.

The festival smelled like fall with roasted seeds, pastries, and pumpkin spice in the air. I tried the Kürbis Käsespätzle, similar to mac and cheese with pumpkin sauce, and it was worth every minute of the line we waited in.

The grounds were busy but full of energy, with contests, sculptures, and even a Pumpkin Regatta where people race in hollowed-out pumpkins (unfortunately we missed the race). By the end, my feet were tired but my heart was full. It finally felt like autumn had arrived in Germany.