Get Your Pumpkins Ready for the Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race
Oct 13, 2025 10:03PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
Winners of the 2024 Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race Festival
In any other town, the phrase "Get your pumpkins race-ready" would be meaningless... But in Manhattan Beach, you know what that means: It's time to gear up for the Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race. This is the week to finish your decorations, get your axles in place, and book a slot for racing.
What is the Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race?
The Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race is part of a day-long Halloween festival in Downtown Manhattan Beach, held this year on Sunday, October 19. The Pumpkin Race is a free, family-friendly event where you and your family make your own pumpkin racer and compete in races for the "fastest pumpkin" title.
(Pumpkins ready to roll - Photo via Manhattan Beach Department of Parks and Rec.)
The official races begin at 2:00 p.m., where competitors let their pumpkins fly down the hill (no pushing allowed !) at Manhattan Beach Blvd. from Ocean Ave. to the Manhattan Beach Pier. (Note that the streets will have already been closed off for the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, which takes place that morning.)
The races occur in heats, and all races are single elimination. Initial races run from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., and quarterfinals (you must have qualified to participate in the quarterfinals) begin at 5:00 p.m. A pumpkin racer wins when its wheels cross the finish line. (See some wacky pumpkin crashes here.)
The winners of the heats continue facing off until there is a final winner, who receives a giant trophy.
How Do I Make A Pumpkin Racer?
All it takes to make a pumpkin racer is two axles and four wheels. That said, not everyone has those supplies readily at hand. If you're in need of wheels and axles, you can purchase a "pumpkin race kit" with all the necessary equipment.
Pumpkin race kits are currently for sale around town for $35 (the price goes up to $40 if you purchase a race kit at the event). You can purchase the kits at:
- Manhattan Beach City Hall, Parks and Rec Department (1400 Highland Ave.)
- Bella Beach Kids - 225 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
- MBI Vintage - 208 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
- {pages} a bookstore - 904 Manhattan Avenue
- Shade Hotel - 1221 N. Valley Drive
- Tabula Rasa Essentials - 919 Manhattan Avenue
- Waterleaf Interiors - 1210 Morningside - Metlox Plaza
- Farmers Market (Tuesdays 11-3 PM only)
- Becker's Bakery & Deli - 1025 Manhattan Avenue
- Drift Beach Club - 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Suite B-108 - Metlox Plaza
- Culture Brewing Co - 327 Manhattan Beach Blvd
On the day of the event, a special Pit Row Booth will offer assistance, decorations, and accessories if you are purchasing official
kits.
If you're making your own pumpkin racer, note that each pumpkin must have two independent axles through the body of the pumpkin and the wheels must be attached to the axles. The maximum wheel diameter allowed in the competition is 12 inches. You may not attach your pumpkin onto a prefabricated chassis of any kind (skateboard, stroller, Tonka Truck, etc.) and you may not build a protective cage around your pumpkin.
Pumpkin racers come in all different shapes, sizes and speeds. Some are elaborately decorated and ready to race. Others appear as if they can't make it down the race track at all. There are always a few scrappy pumpkins that somehow manage to come up with a victory over a seemingly superior opponent.For more detailed rules, see the Pumpkin Race page.
What's A Turbo Pass?
If you've participated in the pumpkin races before, you know that there are hundreds of competitors and there are long lines to race. While it is free to race a pumpkin, you may also sign up for a "Turbo Pass," which gives you timed access to the Pumpkin Race Turbo Pass line. Check in before your
allotted time slot to grab your pass, then race your pumpkin during your
designated Turbo Pass time. Turbo Passes are $7 per pass and good for two pumpkin entries. They are for sale here while supplies last.
(Photo via Manhattan Beach Department of Parks and Rec)How Did the Pumpkin Race Begin?
The pumpkin race was created in Manhattan Beach on Halloween Eve in 1990 by Karl Rogers,
Michael Aaker and John Holliday. They invented the Pumpkin Racer design
and developed the Pumpkin Race format for guests attending Karl's
birthday party in East Manhattan Beach. The race became an annual tradition and was eventually made into an official city event at the Manhattan Beach Pier. In 2007, the World Famous Pumpkin Race was awarded the National
Recreation and Park Association's Special Event of the Year award
and the California Park and Recreation Society's Award of
Distinction. The race has been featured on numerous television and travel features.
Thousands attend the pumpkin races every year, so make sure to arrive early to plan for parking and building a pumpkin racer.
