With autumn officially started and Halloween well on its way, Belgium’s Château de Grand-Bigard is putting pumpkins centre stage. This year’s special theme: Romans.
While Belgium’s Château de Grand-Bigard might be best known for its annual flower fest, Floralia, the castle doesn’t sit still during Autumn either. Between 19 September and 2 November 2025, the grounds surrounding the beautiful hotspot are being transformed into an autumnal celebration during Pumpkimania.
As the name might suggest, the event is all about pumpkins of all different kinds and sizes. Yet don’t expect to just walk into a normal pumpkin market. Thanks to the Swiss Jucker Farm and its affiliated artists, pumpkins of all sorts are transformed into true pieces of art. Impressive wooden and wired sculptures are decorated with thousands of colourful pumpkins, which represent the shell of the art objects.
@visitbelgium 🎃✨ Pumpkimania is back ! 🇫🇷 Pumpkimania revient au splendide château de Grand-Bigard jusqu’au 2 novembre ! Créez vos propres sculptures, savourez les délices de l’automne, admirez les œuvres sur le thème des Romains et repartez avec vos citrouilles. Un événement familial incontournable à ne manquer sous aucun prétexte ! 🍂✨ ⏰ Mardi au dimanche, 10:00 – 18:00 💰15€ dès 15 ans • 8€ de 6 à 14 ans ♿️ Accès PMR limité (accompagnant recommandé) 🚘 Parking gratuit à proximité 📍Château de Grand-Bigard 🇳🇱 Pumpkimania keert terug naar het prachtige kasteel van Groot-Bijgaarden tot 2 november! Maak je eigen sculpturen, proef de herfstlekkernijen, bewonder de Romeinse pompoencreaties en neem je pompoenen mee naar huis. Een evenement voor het hele gezin dat je absoluut niet mag missen! 🍂✨ ⏰ Dinsdag t/m zondag, 10:00 – 18:00 💰 €15 vanaf 15 jaar • €8 van 6 tot 14 jaar ♿️ Beperkte toegang voor PBM (begeleiding aanbevolen) 🚘 Gratis parking in de buurt 📍 Kasteel van Groot-Bijgaarden 🇬🇧 Pumpkimania is back at the beautiful Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden until November 2! Create your own sculptures, taste autumn treats, admire the Roman pumpkin creations, and take your pumpkins home. A family-friendly event you absolutely don’t want to miss! 🍂 ⏰ Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 💰 €15 from 15 years old • €8 from 6 to 14 years old ♿️ Limited access for PRM (companion recommended) 🚘 Free parking nearby 📍 Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden #pumpkimania #grootbijgaardencastle #Autumn #Pumpkins #familyevent ♬ son original – Visit Belgium
This year, the exhibition focuses on one theme in particular: the Romans. Pumpkin sculptures of gladiators, Julius Caesar, the grand Roman Columns, and many more surprising creations will be visible to the public throughout the castle’s park.
Events and local preparations
During Pumpkimania, a selection of additional events will cater to the interests of almost anyone. For example, every Saturday and Sunday, visitors will be able to paddle in a real giant pumpkin on the castle pond, and a special carving stand allows anyone visiting over the weekend to carve their own pumpkin. And from 25 October until 2 November 2025, an almost 1-kilometre-long special Halloween trail full of moving puppets, light, and sound effects in spooky scenery will add a little extra for those who are looking for a spooky activity.
Last but not least, on 2 November, all remaining pumpkins will be cut open in front of the visitors to collect their seeds – the ideal moment to learn more about how to grow them yourself or to buy a packet of seeds for next year.
For those who might get hungry from looking at all those appetising pumpkins, there is a special Pumpkimania Kitchen, centred around – of course – pumpkins. Chefs will prepare a large selection of autumnal dishes, from fresh pumpkin soup with a spicy twist and pumpkin fries with a hint of sweet Marroni chestnut to a Pumpkin Panini and a Pumpkin Falafel. All pumpkins used in the preparations come from Pumpkimania’s own shop and are thus both farmers and local.
Château de Grand-Bigard welcomes visitors from Thursday to Sunday, between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, and will be open every day from 27 October to 2 November 2025. Admission is set at €15 for a standard ticket, with discounts available, making this autumnal celebration of Pumpkimania an experience both enchanting and accessible.
