The Arboretum at Penn State's annual Pumpkin Festival is held in the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens, at the corner of Bigler Road and Park Avenue on the University Park campus of Penn State University.

Events begin on Sunday with a pumpkin giveaway for pumpkin-carving contest entrants. A judging panel of campus and community leaders will award ribbons for the best three jack-o'-lanterns in each age category, the best-in-show, the best pop culture theme, the best Penn State theme, and the best Arboretum theme.

On the following Friday and Saturday, the public is usually welcome to explore hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns displayed on the event lawn. Activities include hands-on family crafts, live music, face painting, a magician and strolling musicians.