The iconic Heidelberg Giant Pumpkin Festival, a beloved event in Heidelberg, Western Cape, returns from March 27 – 29, 2025, with an ambitious goal: to break the world record for the heaviest pumpkin. But while the festival will certainly make history with its colossal pumpkins, the true highlight of the weekend remains its unwavering commitment to charity and community support.
Held just 275 km from Cape Town, the Heidelberg Giant Pumpkin Festival has grown from a fun, quirky competition into one of the region’s most anticipated annual events. Since the first giant pumpkin competition in 2008 (with a winning pumpkin of 47kg), the competition has evolved into a festival that focuses on raising funds for vital local projects, especially schools and community initiatives. This year, there’s an added thrill – organisers are hoping to see the scale tipped on the world record for the heaviest pumpkin.
“We’ve broken the South African record four times, and last year we reached a new height with a pumpkin weighing in at 967.5 kg—setting a Southern Hemisphere record,” says festival organiser, Altus Joubert. “This year, we’re pushing even further, with some pumpkins weighing more than 1 ton already, and still growing. We are aiming for a pumpkin that could break the world record of 1247kg. It’s a massive goal, but with the support of our incredible growers, sponsors, and the community, we’re excited for what’s to come.”
The Heidelberg Giant Pumpkin Festival isn’t just about record-breaking pumpkins, though. Its true essence lies in the festival’s focus on giving back to the community and promoting the beautiful town of Heidelberg. Proceeds from the festival fund various local initiatives, with a special focus on supporting schools, providing meals through local feeding schemes, and offering tickets to those who otherwise could not attend.
“While we are thrilled to push for the world record, our main priority is always the community. The Heidelberg Giant Festival is run as a registered Non-Profit Company and the festival provides vital funding that helps so many important projects throughout the year,” explains Joubert. “We make sure that local growers, children, and families benefit from the funds we raise, and we’re proud to make a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.”
This year’s festival promises to be the most exciting yet, with a packed schedule of competitions, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Highlights include a thrilling 4×4 competition, a golf tournament, live performances from top South African artists like Byron Minnie, Amoré, Die Heuwel Fantasties, and Sunset Sweatshop, and, of course, the ever-popular giant pumpkin weigh-in. The grand prize for the heaviest pumpkin is a R17,500 cash reward, and if a grower breaks the South African record, they’ll walk away with an extra R30,000 cash prize.
But the generosity doesn’t stop at the weigh-in. After the festival, the top three winning pumpkins are not only used to harvest seeds for future competitions but are also shared with local communities. The ‘meat’ of these massive pumpkins is donated to a local feeding scheme, helping provide meals to those in need. Additionally, the seeds are distributed to local growers, and a celebratory braai is held to kickstart the next growing season.
“It’s a community effort all around,” says Joubert.“Every pumpkin grown, every donation made, and every ticket purchased directly supports the local community. It’s a truly special event that goes beyond the spectacle of giant pumpkins—it’s about making a real difference.”
The festival’s giant pumpkins are also a sight to behold. After the weigh-in, the pumpkins are often displayed around the town, giving visitors a chance to marvel at these world-class crops. For many, seeing a pumpkin weighing hundreds of kilograms is a jaw-dropping experience, and this year, festival-goers can expect even bigger and more impressive pumpkins to marvel at.
Join us in Heidelberg for this historic celebration of community, competition, and charity. To learn more about the festival and how you can be a part of this world-record-breaking event, visit www.pumpkinfestival.co.za.
The Giant Pumpkin Festival isn’t just about giant pumpkins—it’s about giant hearts, too. Help us grow the legacy of this incredible event, support the local community, and witness history in the making as we aim to break the world record!
Book your tickets via: www.pumpkinfestival.co.za
Entry fees: Friday – Adult – R200 & Children under 12 & Pensioners – R100
Saturday – Adult – R80 & Children under 12 & Pensioners – R50
Weekend pass – Adult – R250 & Children under 12 & Pensioners – R130
Our Beneficiaries include:
- Huis Zenobia du Toit – Local Old Age Home
- Heidelberg Rugby klub
- Heidelberg Rolbal klub
- Heidelberg Gholfklub
- JF Neumann Memorial Church
- Susanna se Sopkombuis
- Raymond se Sopkombuis
- AGS Oos Kerk
- Reach Out Ministries
- Klein Diamantjies
- Slangrivier skool
- Vondeling skool
A huge thank you to our Sponsors – SYNGENTA, SAB, Freshmark, Hessequa Munisipaliteit, Heidelberg SPAR, Starke Ayres, Sakata, Buffalo Tanks, Riversdal Toyota, Seminus, SSK, Southcape Petroleum, Enza Zaden, Hazera, FNB, Saficon, Sakata Seeds, Master Cargo, JLE Rekenmeesters, Baleka Freight, Yukon, Nedbank, Rhino Agrivantage, Enza Zaden, Stanmar Motors, CapeDry, Woolworths, Deli-Co, Fairview Boerdery, Intelligro, Nexus, Bon Avontuur Staalwerke, Hoeks Toyota, Infanta 4X4, JDI Implemente, Natko Robertson, Rola Ford Riversdal.
For more information and to book your tickets, go to https://www.pumpkinfestival.co.za/ or contact Anita on 082 661 4214.
Follow the Pumpkin Festival online:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thegiantpumpkinfestival
Instagram: @giant_pumpkin_festival
