Pumpkinferno
A spooky start to Halloween!
Join us for Discovery Harbour’s Signature Event in October.
About the event:
Pumpkinferno sails into Discovery Harbour for a hauntingly good time!
Experience the phenomenon of Pumpkinferno’s magical outdoor exhibits of artificial hand-carved pumpkins!
2024 Dates and times
October 2 to November 2
Walk-Thru (Thursday – Sunday)
- October 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27 and 31 to November 2
- The walk-through experience runs 6 pm – 10pm
- $15.00/pp, tax incl. (free admission programs available)
- Group rates available for Community Groups & Clubs
Accessibility Nights (Drive-Thru)
- Wednesday nights (October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30)
- These dates are reserved for guests or groups with limited mobility or sensory processing issues who can ride in the comfort of their own vehicles to view Pumpkinferno displays.
- 30-minute tours start at 7 pm, 7:30 pm, 8 pm and 8:30 pm
- $13.00/pp, tax incl. (free admission programs available)
- Reservations and prepayment required
Community Group Organizers (Thursday – Sunday)
- Contact us for group rates and reservations at: reservationshhp@ontario.ca
Escape Room (Thursday – Sunday)
- October 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27 and 31 to November 2
- “Bosun’s Brig: Escape Room”. Bring your team of 4-6 players and escape the brig!
- Advance ticket purchase is required/limited spaces each night
- Escape Room Times
- 4:30pm – 5:30pm
- 6:00pm – 7:00pm
- 7:30pm – 8:30pm
- 9:00pm – 10:00pm
- $39.00/pp (tax and Pumpkinferno admission is included – sorry, free admission programs do not qualify for this experience)
All the details!
- Discovery Harbour is transformed with more than 5,000 artificial “fun-kins”, lights, music and activities!
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday bring the whole family & experience the walk-thru Pumpkinferno magic.
- Service animals only at this special event
- Backpacks may be searched at the gate
- Food donations are being accepted for the local food banks – thank you for your generosity!
- The event takes place mostly outdoors and will run rain or shine. Please dress accordingly.
The following can be experienced on Thursday through Sunday evenings:
- Roving buskers will delight and entertain visitors with fire, magic and more!
- Explore Grimm Reaper’s Grove if you dare!
- Wander Scarecrow Alley
- The Macabre Mansion will mystify you with our special effects experience!
- Marvel at the haunted ship display in the H.M.S. Tecumseth Centre!
Food options
- The Bubbling Cauldron Café will be open with glowing cotton candy, hot chocolate, spooky snacks and more
- Serving up pizza by the slice (Pizza Delight)
- Foodiez food truck (amazing poutine, chicken tenders and more!)
- Hola Ice Cream (traditional ice cream truck)
Extra fun
Add extra fun to your Pumpkinferno evening with these experiences:
- The Coffin Ride returns! An immersive experience like no other!
- This is a 1-person experience
- $5.00 per person (includes tax)
- Not suggested for those with fear of confinement
- Not suggested for kids under the age of 13
- Wristrained! Five minute, mini-escape room. Five go in…will all escape…intact?
- This is a 5-person, 5 minute experience
- $5.00 per person (includes tax)
- There will be a jump-scare (that’s all we can say!)
- Mature theme
- Not suggested for kids under the age of 13
SHUTTLE BUS INFO
Parking is available right at Discovery Harbour on a first-come, first-served basis on all nights. On busier nights, Discovery Harbour provides a FREE shuttle bus from 500 Church Street, Penetanguishene (Waypoint Centre for Health Care, parking lots A and B). The shuttle bus will run from 5:30pm – 10:30pm (or when all visitors are off the site) every 15-20 minutes. The shuttle is free to park, free to ride!
SHUTTLE DATES
- Saturday, Oct 5
- Saturday, Oct 12
- Sunday, Oct 13
- Thursday, Oct 17
- Saturday, Oct 19
- Friday, Oct 25
- Saturday, Oct 26
- Sunday, Oct 27
LIVE PERFORMER SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct 3: Lucy Loop (demon on stilts, roving)
Friday, Oct 4: Lucy Loop (fire & glow show, timed)
Saturday, Oct 5: Lucy Loop (fire & glow show, timed)
Sunday, Oct 6: Lucy Loop (demon on stilts, roving)
Thursday, Oct 10 : Zoe Stardust (strolling glow & bubble show, roving)
Friday, Oct 11: Spencer Scurr (magic and fire, timed)
Saturday, Oct 12: Spencer Scurr (magic and fire, timed)
Sunday, Oct 13: Giant Brian the Stilt Scarecrow (scarecrow on stilts, roving)
Thursday, Oct 17: Bella Magic (strolling pumpkin gaia, roving)
Friday, Oct 18: Bex in Motion (fire hula hoop show, timed)
Saturday, Oct 19: Fire Guy (fire show, bilingual, timed)
Sunday, Oct 20: Scarlette Black (costumed character, roving)
Thursday, Oct 24: Zoe Stardust (strolling glow/bubble show, roving)
Friday, Oct 25: Bex in Motion (fire hula hoop, timed)
Saturday, Oct 26: Bex in Motion (fire hula hoop, timed)
Sunday, Oct 27: Fire Guy (fire show, bilingual, timed)
Thursday, Oct 31: Zoe Stardust (strolling glow/bubbles show, timed)
Friday, Nov 1: Scarlette Black (fire dancer, timed)
Saturday, Nov 2: Scarlette Black (fire dancer, timed)
Thanks to our sponsors!
Image gallery
Please click each image below to see a larger version.
Free admission programs
Please present ID (if applicable) upon arrival:
- Indigenous Peoples
- Discovery Harbour/Sainte-Marie Season Pass Holders
- Canadian Armed Forces Members
- Kids 5 & under
- Please note our Free Admission program for Teachers does not apply for this event.
- Free admission programs are not eligible for the Escape Room
Looking to book a group?
Contact us via email for more information: reservationsHHP@Ontario.ca
RVs and Buses
Please note, that due to limited available parking space, we are not able to accommodate RV and bus parking at Discovery Harbour during special events (Pumpkinferno). Please reach out to us directly to discuss alternate parking options if you are planning on attending this special event in 2024.
Food Trucks
Calling all food trucks operators 
Discovery Harbour is looking for expressions of interest for our Pumpkinferno event running October 2 to November 2. The event is open to the public from 5-10pm on Saturdays and 6-10pm Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
Please reach out via email to Nathalie.canto@Ontario.ca for an application and to find out how you can secure your spot in this award-winning event welcoming thousands of visitors to Penetanguishene!
Expressions of interest will be received until Monday, September 23 at 4:00pm.
While we love our furry friends, we are not able to accommodate pets at this special event (service dogs are welcomed of course). Thank you for your understanding.
- Please arrive 15-20 minutes early to allow time to complete payment at admissions.
- Free parking is available on site.
- Check our social media accounts for up-to-date information about FREE shuttle bus details
- Flashlights are permitted.
- Taking photos is encouraged.
- Smoking or vaping (including marijuana) is not permitted on Discovery Harbour property.
- Spooky snacks will be available for purchase at the Bubbling Cauldron Café (Garrison Hall).
- Please note this event takes place mostly outdoors and visitors should plan to dress accordingly for weather & terrain.
Q-What is Pumpkinferno?
A-Join us for a spooky Halloween event held at Discovery Harbour in the month of October. Favourite features include dozens of carved ‘faux Fun-kin’ displays, the Macabre Mansion and Grim Reaper’s Grove and more!
Q-Is this event appropriate for kids?
A-The ‘fun-kin’ displays at Pumpkinferno are appropriate for all ages. This year we are also featuring on-site family-friendly roving buskers each night!
Q-Are dogs allowed on site?
A-Only service dogs are allowed on site during Pumpkinferno.
Q-Do you have food & retail services on site?
A- Snacks and drinks will be available at the Bubbling Cauldron Café (located at the North End of the event, near the Haunted House). All forms of payments are accepted (except Amex).
A variety of Halloween goodies, trinkets and more are available for purchase at the Bubbling Cauldron Café.
93 Jury Drive, Penetanguishene, L9M 1G1
Parking info
Please park in the parking lot provided and make your way on foot through the black entrance gates to the boardwalk area and The Charthouse (Admissions building).
Need more info?
Please contact us at hhp@ontario.ca or (705) 549-8064 if you have any questions.
Discovery Harbour traces its roots back to the original British naval and military base in Penetanguishene, built to safeguard access to Upper Canada after the War of 1812.
“His Majesty’s Naval Establishment on Lake Huron”, (as it was first called) kept ships prepared to supply British posts to the northwest. By 1820, it was home to over 70 people, including sailors, officers, shipwrights, and soldiers. Five large ships, 15 smaller vessels, and numerous workshops and dwellings were built.
In 1828, a British garrison on Drummond Island was relocated to Penetanguishene. By 1834, Canada was defended exclusively by these forces. An impressive stone Officers’ Quarters was built in 1845. The military occupied the site until 1856.
Discovery Harbour is operated by Huronia Historical Parks, and is an Attraction of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
