October evokes images of pumpkins, spooky costumes and warm apple pie. If you want to try something different this year, consider an international autumn festival just outside Zürich. The Juckerhof Farm in Seegräben invites families to enjoy harvest-themed activities set among its 5,900-tree apple orchard, offering apple picking, a hay-bale castle to climb and a chance to feed goats in the Geisslipark.
The highlight of October at Juckerhof is the annual pumpkin exhibition. More than 100,000 pumpkins are arranged into large-scale sculptures depicting everything from fairytale characters to famous musicians. This year’s theme celebrates the underwater world, with displays inspired by fish and aquatic life—an apt choice given the farm’s location on the shores of Lake Pfäffiker. After exploring the exhibits, visitors can relax in the farm restaurant, which serves dishes made with freshly harvested ingredients from the surrounding fields.
Beyond the pumpkin art, Juckerhof offers seasonal programs suited to families and visitors of all ages. Interactive workshops let guests learn about traditional harvest methods and seasonal cooking, while guided tours explain how the farm manages its orchards and fields. The property’s open layout encourages leisurely strolls, with plenty of photo opportunities among the pumpkins and autumn foliage.
For families, the Geisslipark and play areas provide hands-on experiences: children can feed and observe friendly farm animals, race along natural play trails and explore the imaginative structures made of hay. The apple orchard remains open for visitors who prefer to pick their own fruit, choosing from a wide variety of apples depending on the season’s harvest.
Dining at the onsite restaurant completes the visit. Menus change with the harvest, emphasizing vegetables, apples and other ingredients grown on the farm. Seasonal specialties and simple, field-to-table preparations make the restaurant a satisfying stop after a morning of activities. Many visitors enjoy sampling pumpkin-based dishes and apple desserts that highlight the flavors of October.
Practical details help families plan a comfortable visit: wear sturdy shoes for walking across grassy fields and bring layers for changing autumn weather. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends, and arriving early gives you the best opportunity to see the pumpkin sculptures before peak visitor times. The farm frequently schedules special events and workshops during October, so checking the farm’s event calendar before you go can help you time your visit for the activities you most want to experience.
Whether you come for the apple picking, the hands-on animal encounters, or the spectacular pumpkin exhibition, Juckerhof Farm in Seegräben offers a festive and authentic harvest experience that captures the spirit of October in a uniquely Swiss setting.