Tulleys Farm near Crawley welcomed a record number of dogs on Thursday, October 15, as hundreds of paws joined the pumpkins for the attraction’s annual Pooches, Paws & Pumpkins celebration
Now in its third year, the event has become a firm favourite with local families and dog owners, bringing together pumpkin picking, canine costume competitions and a range of activities dedicated to four-legged visitors.
The highlight of the day was the popular Canine Costume Competition, with two contests taking place at 12pm and 3pm.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes arrived in an array of creative costumes, with owners going to impressive lengths to dress their pets for the occasion.
Among the winners were Lexi, Beanie and Minnie, who claimed first place alongside their owner, Emmi Carter, after impressing the judges with their outfits.
Visitors were also able to enjoy free dog photoshoots, meet representatives from the Dogs Trust and take part in activities throughout the day.
There were plenty of treats for the dogs too, with Butternut Box joining the celebrations and offering samples to some very enthusiastic four-legged taste testers.
The event attracted a record number of canine visitors, continuing a trend of growing popularity since Pooches, Paws & Pumpkins was first introduced three years ago.
A growing tradition for Sussex dog owners
While many pumpkin patches restrict access for animals, dogs are welcome every day at Tulleys Pumpkin Festival, allowing visitors to bring their four-legged companions along for the experience.
The dedicated dog day has become an increasingly popular date in the festival calendar, with families returning each October to take part in the competitions and enjoy the seasonal atmosphere.
For many visitors, the event has become an annual tradition, combining a day out in the Sussex countryside with the opportunity to celebrate their pets.
30 years of Halloween at Tulleys
The canine celebrations took place during a milestone year for Tulleys Farm, which is marking 30 years of Halloween entertainment in 2026. The fourth-generation family farm has grown from traditional pumpkin picking into one of Britain’s best-known seasonal visitor attractions.
Today, Tulleys Pumpkin Festival is recognised as Europe’s Largest Pumpkin Festival, featuring more than 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds, over 100 varieties and more than 100 acres of farmland.
Visitors can explore colourful pumpkin displays, enjoy live music and street theatre, sample seasonal food and drink, and discover more than 30 dedicated photo opportunities.
Among this year’s biggest additions is The Pumpkin Valley, the largest single expansion in the festival’s history.
The newly landscaped area features winding pathways, peaceful ponds, streams, giant pumpkin sculptures and colourful seasonal displays, offering visitors an entirely new part of the farm to explore.
The festival has also introduced a Vintage Carousel for 2026, alongside its established Pumpkin Village and 33-metre Observation Wheel.
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival runs until October 31, with dogs welcome throughout the remaining season.
Further information and tickets are available at PumpkinFarm.co.uk.
