Great Pumpkin Beer Festival @ The Seattle Center

Sept 30 – Oct 1 • 4 – 10 pm 

A brewer once told me brewers have a rough time justifying pumpkin beers on their tap list. Though well-loved, people stop drinking them after October 31st. Pumpkin fiends, consider this your call to action: The Vera Project kicks off this seasonal window with their 18th annual, all-out tasting of over 80 libations—including pumpkin beers, fresh hop brews, and ciders—and 100% of event proceeds benefit their very important programming. 

Fearless, pumpkin-crazed event partner Elysian Brewing spearheads the celebration with 20ish of their themed selections alongside other Washington-based breweries, TBA. Several KEXP DJs will set an appropriately wicked mood with continuous sessions. Wear orange or attempt to win the costume contest and you’ll fit right in. 

A massive, several-hundred-pound pumpkin will be gutted, filled with pumpkin beer, and turned into a firkin for all to enjoy during both sessions. These behemoths are sourced straight from competing growers from around the region at The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off on Saturday, September 24th.

Buy your tickets early, as the event usually sells out. Single-day general admission tickets are upwards of $30 and include six drink tickets and a sniffer glass. Additional tickets are available for $2 each. Limited 2-day passes are available for $50. For non-drinking DDs, festival-only admission is $5. Leave the kiddos with a babysitter; this event is strictly 21+.