Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg Castle- the world’s largest

28.11.2022.

Spice up your autumn destinations with pretty places like this one. Pumpkin festival in Ludwigsburg is an awesome choice lasting 3 months. It’s one of the largest pumpkin festivals in the world. From 26.08. till 04.12- this year- you cannot miss it.

It’s more than a Pumpkin festival to see in Ludwigsburg. Such a pretty town is easily reachable from Stuttgart, only 12 km away. As it takes place in the Bloom Palace Gardens (Blühendes Barock), you can also visit the adjacent castle. Märchengarten or Fairy-tale garden happens at the same place. It’s filled with stunning decorations, specially suitable for children. Ludwigsburg Castle is magnifiscient to visit, but you need to have an extra ticket (not for the Pumpkin festival). It certainly deserves the place in your bucket list when looking to European castles.

See also: Amazing castles in Germany

What to expect at the Pumpkin Festival

Every year the festival comes with the different theme. „Underground“ characterises 2022 with amazing artworks.

Pumpkin sculptures enchant everyone with totally incredible creations. Autumn shows its magic with the lovely queen of the season- pumpkin. With the colourful leaves pumpkin add the stunning charm of fall. Squash from the oven is my favourite but everything pumpkin just delights me.

At Ludwigsburg you can see about 450 000 pumpkins in every possible style. I wonder what they do with pumpkins afterwards? The gigantic sculptures shine like stars, some of the exhibits look like this:

You can also see carved pumpkins that bring so much fun, even some of them look like parrots. Pumpkins in baskets come in various edition, you can see cute Indian mix or Spaghetti pumpkins.

Pumpkin festival is open daily from 7,30 till 20,30. At night everything becomes illuminated, the trees shine with colours. The fascinating show starts at dusk, officially know as the Magic Lights.

How it all started

The official website alludes to 1997 as the first year of the festival. It was happening back then at the Jukerhof in Seegräben. The Blühendes Barock in Ludwigsburg became home to the festival 3 years later.

As Ludwigsburg is the venue of Sand sculptures festival, I could see some from the summer time. At spring Ludwigsburg castle hosts the Spring festival.

About Blühendes Barock (Barock Gardens of the castle)

Unmisable touch of elegance and fragnaces, Barock Gardens delight your visit to Ludwigsburg and Stuttgart. Being one of the Germany’s oldest gardens, the history of Blooming Barock starts in 1704. Eberhard Ludwig put the seeds to this fascinating oasis around Ludwigsburg castle.

From the North to the South

From the Italian style on the North, its brilliance dominates with French and Dutch style.

Duke Friedrich II in 1797 gave the valuable touch to the gardens with structural elements and canal system.

Blooming Barock lost the power after Friedrich II but regained its public significance in 1828.

The South Garden shines with the alluring atmosphere of sculptures, fountains and flowers. Roses take the throne between the separate sections for the lord and the lady.

The Valley of Birdsong stretches picturesquely to the lovely Emichsburg castle. The Eastern part takes us to historical treasures of Japan and Sardinia. Properly here the Fairy village takes place. You an also enjoy the relaxing time near the lake with the waterfall or sit in the park caffe.

The Fairy-Tale Garden

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit it. After asking the stuff for directions, I wasn’t clear with the answer. But the answer, Rapunzel castle is the starting point. The delightful sculptures and activities will capture all your senses. It includes more than 40 scenes depicting Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and others. Take a boat a boat ride and let your kids be overwhelmed with beauty. It’s specially beautiful during the spring time.

The fabulous Ludwigsburg Castle

This splendid Baroque palace is one of the largest in Germany. I felt like in the real castle here as the guided tour included opening & closing all the doors immediately. Unfortunately, the photos are not allowed. The theatre left the strongest impressions on me with its beauty, occassionally 20 shows a year still take a place. It’s definitely the castle I would dream of, specially with its stunning gardens.

The ticket for Pumpkin festival doesn’t include ticket to the castle, only a small discount. Once a ducal residence from 18th century became the ambience of different styles. Intertwining between baroque, roccoco and classicism castle speak the various historic stories. Later the castle became the summer house of the first King of Württemberg.

Favorite Castle

Lying inside the Blooming Barock Gardens, Favorite Castle shines from the distance. You’ll not even have time to check it out as the Gardens are very huge.

Its history dates back to the early 1700s, when it was a summer residence of Duke Eberhard Ludwig. The luxurious testimony of past gives allure to the fabulous chandeliers, mirrors and clocks.

Neoclassical style later took the shape thanks to the King Frederick I. Schloss Favorite was also once a hunting lodge and today the large park follows the property.

Fashion Museum

The Rococo elegance at its highest comes at this lovely museum, right at the Ludwigsburg castle. The notable designers include Paul Poiret, Christian Dior and Coco Chanel. The panorama of fancy dresses and acessoires take the glance at the details.

Ceramics Museum

Ludwigsburg Castle scatters the gracious artwork at this stunning museum. European porcelain art prevails among the delicate products of faience. The fascinating decorations bring to the surface incredible manufacturers of 18-19. century.

Pretty town of Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg itself is a typical german town that bursts with soft colours and charm. The main square is the most obvious example. The whole town breaths the spirit of autumn during the Pumpkin festival. The decorations fill the streets along the lovely buildings.

It’s located only 12 km from the central Stuttgart, which makes it easily reachable. You only have to take the S-bahn from Hauptbahnhof and will arrive within 15 minutes.

Ludwigsburg still holds the power of dukes from 18th century. Its founder was the Duke Eberhard Louis of Württemberg. The town on Neckar river (just like Stuttgart) is not a typical touristic destination.

The symetrical Marktplatz is a pleasant square to enjoy the relaxing stroll while admiring the architecture. The most notable ones are the Church of Holy Trinity and Protestant Church.

The large organic shop delighted my visit of Ludwigsburg.

The cultural side of Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg Museum is a fantastic source to discover the place. It’s a birthtown of the famous German poet and doctor Justinius Kerner. Take the opportunity to visit his house. Friedrich Theodor Vischer is another poet and philosopher that calls Ludwigsburg his home. Definitely also check out the house of David Friedrich Strauss, a German theologist and writer.

After this comprehensive, you’ll have a feeling to call Ludwigsburg your home.

Monrepos Castle

If you think one day is enough in Ludwigsburg, you’re wrong. Monrepos Castle stands on its own, in the picturesque ambiance of the lake. Rococo dominates here through the tranquil oasis of history.

In the 1750s it started as a summer residence of the Duke Charles Eugene. Though it’s a private house today, you can visit the restaurant, summer concerts or enjoy the lake. It’s specially enchanting in the autumn magic.

Ludwigsburg during Christmas time

You cannot miss a proper time to visit Ludwigsburg. Pumpkin festival is the highlight but Christmas time is another fairy-tale.

The market square shines with magic with thousands of lights and lovely decorations. Handicrafts, concerts and local delicacies are the reasons to choose Ludwigsburg for Advent.

All in all

This lovely little town near Stuttgart is a gem full of shine. Pumpkin festival might be a reason to visit but take an adventage of Ludwigsburg- discover its magic. Over and over again.

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