Pumpkimania turns Belgian castle grounds into autumn attraction
The annual Pumpkimania festival has filled Groot-Bijgaarden Castle in Dilbeek with pumpkin sculptures, family activities and Halloween programming.
GROOT-BIJGAARDEN, Belgium — Groot-Bijgaarden Castle near Brussels has become the setting for an autumn festival built around thousands of pumpkins, with organisers expecting about 50,000 visitors before the event ends on 1 November.
The annual Pumpkimania festival is being held in Dilbeek, about 10 kilometres from central Brussels. This year’s theme is “The Magic of the Forest”, with pumpkin displays arranged across the castle grounds.
Forest-themed displays
The exhibits include large pumpkin-covered sculptures depicting foxes, owls and deer. The pumpkins used for the displays were sourced from Belgium, Germany and Portugal, following what was described as a difficult growing season after a hot summer.
A 772-kilogram pumpkin has also been grown for the castle’s traditional weigh-off, which is scheduled for 26 September. Visitors can watch giant pumpkins being converted into makeshift kayaks for rides across the castle lake.
Family and Halloween activities
Families can join pumpkin-carving workshops at weekends, while younger children can enter free of charge. Admission for adults is €16, while children aged 5 to 14 pay €9.
The Halloween programme begins on 24 October. From then, the castle will open daily until 7pm. The festivities are due to conclude with a giant pumpkin-smashing event before the festival closes on 1 November.
No Comment! Be the first one.