There is something about fall in Northern Virginia that makes a trip to a pumpkin patch feel almost mandatory. Cooler weather arrives, leaves begin changing color, and local farms fill their calendars with hayrides, corn mazes, farm animals, apple cider, giant slides, fall festivals, and rows of pumpkins ready for front porches and Halloween carving. Whether you want a huge all day festival or a quieter place to pick a pumpkin, there are plenty of options within an easy drive of Fairfax County. If spending weekends exploring these communities has you thinking about a future move, browse Northern Virginia homes for sale or explore Team DDA's Northern Virginia area guides to learn more about the neighborhoods surrounding your favorite fall destinations.

The 2026 pumpkin season begins in September at many of the region's major farms and generally continues through Halloween, with a few attractions extending into early November. Visit Fairfax highlights six pumpkin destinations within Fairfax County alone, while regional family guides add destinations in Loudoun County, Prince William County, Maryland, and the Shenandoah Valley.

Quick Facts About Pumpkin Patches Near Northern Virginia

1. Cox Farms Fall Festival in Centreville runs from September 19 through November 8 and is one of the largest fall attractions in Northern Virginia.
2. Reston Farm Market Fall Fest runs on weekends from September 26 through October 31 and includes a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, train rides, and inflatable attractions.
3. Burke Nursery's Fall Festival and Pumpkin Playground returns during October with pumpkins, seasonal treats, flowers, and family activities.
4. Nalls Produce Pumpkin Hill in the Springfield and Franconia area opens in late September and offers a free fall display for families.
5. Krop's Crops near Great Falls returns for 2026 after a fire in 2025 and is offering hayrides, pumpkins, apples, cider, animals, and other fall activities.
6. Great Country Farms in Bluemont runs its fall pumpkin season from September 19 through October 31 and is known for a large play area, hayrides, pumpkins, and apple cider donuts.
7. Wegmeyer Farms in Hamilton runs from September 19 through October 31 and requires reservations for pumpkin picking.
8. Most major pumpkin farms are busiest on October weekends, so advance tickets or reservations are recommended where available.

Cox Farms Fall Festival in Centreville

September 19 through November 8

If there is one Northern Virginia fall destination almost everyone seems to know, it is Cox Farms in Centreville.

The annual Fall Festival is much more than a place to pick up a pumpkin. Visitors can spend hours exploring giant slides, farm animals, play areas, seasonal displays, the Cornundrum adventure, and the farm's famous hayride.

Visit Fairfax describes Cox Farms as one of the largest pumpkin destinations in Northern Virginia and notes that the Fall Festival Market carries pumpkins in several sizes, including small, medium, large, jumbo, mini, and traditional patch pumpkins.

The 2026 festival runs Thursday through Monday from September 19 through November 8. During September and October, regular hours run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The farm closes earlier during November.

Families visiting the festival receive access to a large collection of attractions, and regional guides note that a patch pumpkin is included with festival admission.

Older kids and adults looking for something scarier can return after dark for Fields of Fear, Cox Farms' nighttime Halloween attraction.

Because Cox Farms is one of the area's most popular fall destinations, tickets for busy October weekends can sell out. Regional guides recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time.

Reston Farm Market Fall Fest

September 26 through October 31

Hidden among Reston's more urban neighborhoods is Reston Farm Garden Market, a longtime local garden center and farm market that transforms into a family fall destination on weekends.

The 2026 Fall Fest runs Saturdays and Sundays from September 26 through October 31.

Activities include a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, train rides, a pumpkin themed moon bounce, inflatable slides, and seasonal treats. Visit Fairfax describes the farm as a small oasis within Reston's largely developed landscape.

This can be a good choice for families who want a traditional fall outing without committing to the scale of a massive festival.

The location also makes it convenient for families in Reston, Herndon, Vienna, Great Falls, and nearby areas.

While you are in the area, you can also explore Reston Town Center for restaurants, shopping, and other seasonal activities.

Burke Nursery Fall Festival and Pumpkin Playground

October

For families in Burke, Springfield, Fairfax Station, and surrounding communities, Burke Nursery and Garden Centreoffers one of the most convenient fall destinations in Fairfax County.

The garden center's seasonal Fall Festival features pumpkins, Halloween displays, seasonal foods, flowers, and family activities.

Visit Fairfax says families can shop for apples, local honey, cider, mums, pansies, bulbs, and pumpkins while children enjoy the seasonal Pumpkin Playground and fall photo opportunities.

The farm market begins its fall season in September, while the Pumpkin Playground traditionally operates during October. Current regional guides recommend checking the official site for the final 2026 playground schedule before visiting.

This is a particularly convenient option for families who want a shorter outing rather than spending an entire day at a large festival.

Nalls Produce Pumpkin Hill in Springfield

Opening September 26

Not every pumpkin outing needs an admission ticket.

Nalls Produce in the Springfield and Franconia area creates its popular Pumpkin Hill every fall.

The attraction has been a local tradition for more than 30 years and is free to visit. Children can climb over the pumpkin fort, explore hay areas and tunnels, and see a large seasonal display while families shop for pumpkins and fall produce.

For parents with younger children, this can be one of the easiest fall outings in Fairfax County because there is no major festival schedule to navigate.

The downside of being free and convenient is that Pumpkin Hill can become busy during peak October weekends. Visit Fairfax recommends being prepared for larger crowds during the most popular pumpkin picking period.

DePaul's Urban Farm in Vienna

For pumpkins without a large festival atmosphere, head to DePaul's Urban Farm on Chain Bridge Road.

The farm market is known for carrying a broad variety of pumpkins and gourds, including traditional orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, yellow varieties, miniature gourds, and textured varieties such as Knucklehead pumpkins.

One of the biggest photo attractions is the seasonal pumpkin house, which has become a recognizable fall stop for Northern Virginia families.

This is a strong option if your main goal is choosing pumpkins for decorating rather than spending several hours at a ticketed festival.

Krop's Crops Fall Fun Near Great Falls

October 3 through October 31

After a damaging fire in 2025, Krop's Crops is back for the 2026 fall season.

The family owned market near Great Falls offers hayrides to the pumpkin patch on October weekends, along with Winchester apples, fresh pressed apple cider, fall squash, gourds, seasonal decorations, farm animals, and a corn play area.

Weekend hayrides are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the market operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the October festival period.

Krop's Crops also offers private campfire party reservations during the fall season, giving groups another option for a more relaxed autumn gathering.

The farm's location makes it particularly convenient for families coming from Great Falls, Reston, Herndon, McLean, and Vienna.

Great Country Farms in Bluemont

September 19 through October 31

If you are willing to drive west into Loudoun County, Great Country Farms is one of the area's most popular all day fall destinations.

The Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival includes access to a large play area with slides, jumping pillows, a corn maze, outdoor activities, and the farm's pumpkin eating dinosaur known as P. Rex.

Visitors can take a hayride out to the fields to select pumpkins right off the vine, and the farm's apple cider donuts are frequently mentioned among the highlights. Mommy Poppins specifically calls out Great Country Farms as one of the region's top pumpkin destinations and praises the cider donuts.

The 2026 fall season runs daily from September 19 through October 31, generally from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Great Country Farms is located in Bluemont, which makes the trip especially appealing if you want to combine pumpkin picking with a scenic drive through western Loudoun County.

The surrounding area is also home to wineries, breweries, farm markets, and some of Northern Virginia's best fall foliage.

Wegmeyer Farms in Hamilton

September 19 through October 31

Families looking for a more traditional pick your own pumpkin experience should consider Wegmeyer Farms in Hamilton.

Unlike attractions where pumpkins are arranged in a market area, Wegmeyer Farms focuses on pumpkins grown directly in its fields.

Mommy Poppins highlights the farm for its wide variety of pumpkins, making this a particularly good stop for families who want unusual shapes, sizes, and colors for fall decorating.

The 2026 season runs from September 19 through October 31 on Thursdays through Sundays, plus the October holiday. Reservations are required.

Because the experience is centered on selecting pumpkins in the field, comfortable shoes are especially important here.

Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in Leesburg

September 26 through November 1

Another Loudoun County option is Temple Hall Farm Regional Park near Leesburg.

The farm combines pumpkin season with traditional fall activities in a large agricultural setting.

The 2026 season runs from September 26 through November 1, with current regional information listing daily hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and final ticket sales at 4 p.m.

Temple Hall is worth considering for families already planning a day around Leesburg, western Loudoun County, wineries, or nearby fall foliage.

Yankey Farms in Bristow

September 26 through October 31

Prince William County families can head to Yankey Farms in Bristow for a lower key pumpkin experience.

Regional 2026 guides highlight Yankey Farms because there is no general gate admission just to shop for pumpkins. Visitors pay for the pumpkins they select, while additional farm activities require a separate wristband.

This can be a useful option for families who want a real farm experience without paying for a full festival package.

The pumpkin season runs from September 26 through October 31.

Wayside Farm in Berryville

For families willing to head farther west, Wayside Farm in Berryville offers another large fall experience.

The attraction includes pumpkin picking, a corn maze, playground areas, slides, hayrides, games, and seasonal farm activities.

For 2026, Mommy Poppins reports that the corn maze celebrates America's 250th birthday, giving the attraction a special theme this year.

Wayside is farther from Fairfax County than many of the other farms on this list, but it can work well as part of a fall day trip into the Shenandoah Valley.

Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon

Families with young children who care more about animals than a huge pumpkin festival should not overlook Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

The working farm is open throughout the year and does not charge general admission.

Children can see farm animals and explore the property at a relaxed pace, while special seasonal programs take place throughout the fall.

The Ember List highlights Frying Pan Farm Park as one of the area's easier options for toddlers because families can see the animals without purchasing a major festival ticket. Its Farm Harvest celebration is scheduled for October 16 through October 18 in 2026.

It is also close to Reston and Herndon, making it easy to combine with lunch or another fall activity nearby.

Pumpkin Patches Worth the Drive Into Maryland

Northern Virginia has plenty of choices, but several popular Maryland farms are close enough to make the list for families around the Washington region.

Butler's Orchard in Germantown

Butler's Orchard hosts one of the region's most extensive Pumpkin Festivals.

The 2026 event runs from September 19 through November 1 and includes hayrides, a corn maze, jumping attractions, farm animals, giant slides, pedal tractors, and seasonal entertainment.

Reservations are strongly recommended for busy weekends because the farm can reach capacity.

Gaver Farm in Mount Airy

Gaver Farm is another large fall festival destination with dozens of activities, including animals, slides, playground areas, a corn maze, and pumpkin picking.

Mommy Poppins notes that the festival includes roughly 60 attractions, making this one of the bigger choices for families looking to fill an entire day.

The 2026 fall season runs from September 4 through November 1.

Summers Farm in Middletown

Summers Farm is especially well known for its large corn maze.

The 2026 festival runs from September 26 through November 1. Attractions include pumpkin picking, wagon rides, slides, mini golf, a pumpkin train, play areas, and an interactive corn maze.

This year's corn maze honors Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, with proceeds connected to pediatric cancer research.

Which Northern Virginia Pumpkin Patch Is Best for Your Family?

There is no single best pumpkin patch because each offers a different experience.

Best for a Full Day of Activities

Cox Farms is difficult to beat if the goal is to spend most of the day at one destination. Slides, hayrides, animals, play areas, seasonal food, and pumpkins make it one of the region's largest options.

Best for a Smaller Fairfax County Outing

Reston Farm Garden Market offers a more compact experience with pumpkins, animals, train rides, and inflatable attractions.

Best Free Pumpkin Display

Nalls Produce stands out because Pumpkin Hill is free to explore.

Best for Traditional Pumpkin Picking

Wegmeyer Farms is a strong choice for visitors who care most about walking into the field and selecting pumpkins directly from the farm.

Best for a Loudoun County Fall Day Trip

Great Country Farms combines pumpkin picking with a large play area, farm activities, hayrides, and the scenery of western Loudoun County.

Best for Toddlers

Regional family guides point toward Burke Nursery, Frying Pan Farm Park, and the younger children's areas at Cox Farms and Great Country Farms as strong choices for toddlers.

Tips for Visiting a Pumpkin Patch in Northern Virginia

Buy Tickets Before You Leave Home

Some of the largest farms now rely heavily on advance ticketing.

Cox Farms uses date specific online tickets, and busy dates can sell out. Butler's Orchard strongly encourages reservations and can stop accepting walk ins when the farm reaches capacity.

Check the official farm website before leaving home.

Visit Earlier in the Season for Smaller Crowds

October weekends tend to be the busiest time of the year.

If your schedule allows it, a late September trip or weekday visit can offer easier parking, shorter lines, and more room for children to explore.

Wear Shoes That Can Get Dirty

Pumpkin fields are farms.

Even when the weather is dry, you may encounter dirt, uneven terrain, hay, grass, and farm mud.

Closed toe shoes are usually the safest choice.

Bring Layers

Northern Virginia fall weather can change quickly.

A morning visit may begin chilly and become warm by midday, particularly in September and early October.

Confirm What Admission Includes

Not every ticket includes a pumpkin.

For example, regional guides report that Cox Farms includes a patch pumpkin with admission, while several other farms price pumpkins separately.

Checking before you go makes it easier to budget for the day.

Check Pumpkin Picking Rules

Some attractions allow visitors to cut pumpkins directly from the vine.

Others provide pre picked pumpkins in a market area.

If actually walking through a field is important to your family, verify the farm's setup before visiting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia

When do pumpkin patches open in Northern Virginia in 2026?

Several farms begin opening in September. Cox Farms, Great Country Farms, and Wegmeyer Farms begin their main 2026 seasons on September 19, while Reston Farm Market, Temple Hall Farm, and Yankey Farms begin later in September.

How late are pumpkin patches open?

Most continue through Halloween or the first weekend of November. Cox Farms runs through November 8, making it one of the later major fall festivals in the region.

What is the biggest pumpkin patch in Northern Virginia?

Cox Farms is one of the largest and most elaborate fall attractions in Northern Virginia, with a major Fall Festival that includes hayrides, giant slides, animals, play areas, seasonal attractions, and pumpkins.

Are there free pumpkin patches near Fairfax County?

Nalls Produce Pumpkin Hill in the Springfield and Franconia area offers a free seasonal display. Frying Pan Farm Park is also free to visit year round, although special events may require tickets.

Do you need reservations for pumpkin patches?

Some farms do. Wegmeyer Farms requires reservations, while Cox Farms uses date specific online ticketing. Advance reservations are also recommended at Butler's Orchard.

Where can I pick pumpkins directly from the field?

Wegmeyer Farms, Great Country Farms, Wayside Farm, Yankey Farms, and several other regional farms offer more traditional field picking experiences. Always check current crop conditions before visiting.

What pumpkin patch is closest to Reston?

Reston Farm Garden Market is directly in Reston. Krop's Crops near Great Falls and Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon are also convenient for Reston area families.

What pumpkin patch is closest to Burke?

Burke Nursery and Garden Centre offers its own seasonal Fall Festival and Pumpkin Playground directly in Burke.

What should I wear to a pumpkin patch?

Wear comfortable clothes, closed toe shoes, and layers. Mommy Poppins recommends clothing that can handle dirt and unpredictable fall weather.

Can you pick apples at the same time?

Some farms offer apples as well as pumpkins, but 2026 crop conditions vary. The Ember List reports that a spring freeze affected apple production at several regional farms this year. Great Country Farms and Larriland Farm continue to advertise apple picking, but visitors should confirm availability before making the trip.

The Bottom Line on the Best Pumpkin Patches in Northern Virginia

One of the best things about fall in Northern Virginia is that you can choose exactly what kind of pumpkin patch experience you want.

For a full festival day, head to Cox Farms.

For a smaller neighborhood outing, try Reston Farm Market or Burke Nursery.

For a free seasonal stop, visit Nalls Produce Pumpkin Hill.

For classic field picking, consider Wegmeyer Farms.

For a Loudoun County day trip, Great Country Farms combines pumpkins with farm activities and beautiful western Virginia scenery.

And if your family is willing to drive a little farther, farms throughout Prince William County, Maryland, and the Shenandoah Valley add even more options.

Pumpkin patches are also a great excuse to explore communities throughout Northern Virginia at one of the prettiest times of the year. A morning at a farm can easily turn into lunch in Reston, an afternoon in Leesburg, a scenic drive through Loudoun County, or dinner in Centreville.

If you are exploring Northern Virginia and considering a move, browse Northern Virginia homes for sale, explore Team DDA's area guides, get a free home valuation, or connect with Team DDA to learn more about the communities you are visiting.

Debbie Dogrul Associates, known as Team DDA, is the number one eXp Realty team in Virginia and one of Northern Virginia's most trusted real estate teams. With more than 35 full time Realtors, Team DDA serves buyers and sellers throughout Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County, Arlington, Alexandria, and communities including Fairfax, Burke, Vienna, Reston, McLean, Tysons, Springfield, Centreville, Herndon, Great Falls, Leesburg, Ashburn, Gainesville, and Haymarket.

From neighborhood guidance and home searches to pricing strategy, professional marketing, negotiation, and closing support, Team DDA helps Northern Virginia clients move with confidence.

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