Pumpkin Point returns to Governors Island, NYC, Oct. 24–25

Governors Island is bringing back Pumpkin Point, its annual pumpkin patch and fall festival, on Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25. The event runs 10am to 5pm both days on the lawn at Nolan Park, and the island's own listing presents it as free.

The centerpiece is the patch itself, where visitors choose their own pumpkins while supplies last. The island asks guests to take one pumpkin per person per household and to bring their own tote or reusable bag to carry it. Trick-or-treating and pumpkin painting also run all day on both days, again as supplies last. Resident arts organizations lead workshops, Brooklyn Book Bodega sets up a reading nook, and NYC Bird Alliance, Billion Oyster Project and Earth Matter NY (which offers composting information) are all on site.

Several guided programs are on the schedule. The Ghost Tour runs 12:45 to 1:45pm on both days with no registration. A Fall Foliage Walking Tour with Governors Island Nature (11:45am to 12:45pm) and a Highlights Tour (10:45 to 11:45am) require registration. On Saturday only, Robenson Mathurin teaches a THRILLER! dance class at noon, and NYC Bird Alliance leads a bird tour from 2:15pm.

Music is curated by Porch Stomp, a long-time island event partner, with traditional and contemporary folk. Old Grimes plays at 2:30pm and Timmy Buttons with Pier 1-4-5 at 3:30pm both days. Hopalong Andrew performs daily at 1:30pm.

Food vendors include Brigs Sweet Shop, Deploy Coffee, Fan Fan Doughnuts, Fauzia's Heavenly Delights, La Newyorkina, Little Eva's, Kimchi Taco, Pizzeria Fantastica, Six Coasts by Smorgasburg and Taco Vista.

Pumpkin Point goes ahead rain or shine. Organizers expect a large crowd and suggest arriving at least 20 minutes before your scheduled ferry departure. Nolan Park is a 3-minute walk from Soissons Landing and 7 minutes from Yankee Pier. The ferry departs from 10 South Street, Slip 7, in Manhattan.