You’re Gourd-ially Invited to Duluth’s Gourd Days Posted on October 1, 2025October 1, 2025 by Lucie If you’ve been waiting all year for sweater weather, apple cider, and any excuse to be outside before winter hits. Well, friends, I’ve got the perfect weekend plan for you. The very first Gourd Days is happening in Canal Park this weekend! It’ll be just over the Minnesota Slip Bridge (aka: The Little Blue Bridge) by the DECC, October 3, 4, and 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. And trust me, you’re not going to want to miss this gourd-geous celebration. A Fall Festival Worth Squashing Plans For Okay, you’ve got the backdrop of Lake Superior and a festival packed with local vendors in charming wooden cabins, delicious food, autumnal sips (both NA and A), boat hay rides and family-friendly fun. This is basically the Duluth fall experience in one weekend. And get this—admission is totally free! Shop Till You’re Pumpkin-Out With over 35 local makers and vendors, you’ll find unique treasures you won’t see anywhere else. More than a dozen vendors will be set up in cozy Duluth Winter Village cabins. Items will range from handcrafted jewelry to custom screen-printed apparel from Frozen Mosquito Apparel, and even permanent jewelry. Local favorites like Wonderfully Made, Sjofns Musings, Blackhoof Valley, Naturally Knotty, Naturalight Candles, Opie’s Place, Altered Abode, Munger Trail Knits, Casper & Fox, Siiviis, Wild Kidd Design, Cold Rain & Snow, Moon Market, North & Shore, and Duluth Studio Market will be among the incredible talent our North Shore community has to offer. Eats that’ll make you say “Gourd Almighty!” Here’s the deal: we’ve got food vendors and food trucks serving up a whole variety of eats. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about having a lotta options. Beverages for All! Fun drinks like dirty sodas, seasonal coffee beverages and hot cocoa will be available. (Hot cocoa by the lake in October? Yes, please!) And for the 21+ crowd? Catering by Bellisio’s will be mixing up specialty fall-themed cocktails featuring Vikre Distillery spirits, plus local beer and cider. *Activities That Are Absolutely Im-peck-able* This isn’t just a festival—it’s an experience! Here’s what you can look forward to: Hay rides on the Bay with Vista Fleet (because is there anything more Duluthy than a Lake-based hay ride? No joke, this is genius.) A pumpkin house filled with fall flowers and pumpkins from Duluth Flower Farm (how cute does that sound?) Bounce Houses shaped as a Pumpkin and Toddler Farm Town (the kids are going to lose their minds) Live animals from Adventure Acres Custom henna designs from Merche Mariposa Plenty of Instagram-worthy photo ops with pumpkins galore (your fall aesthetic awaits!) Bring Your Fur-iends! Leashed dogs are welcome, so your four-legged family members can join in the gourd times too! This is the perfect excuse to break out your favorite flannel and take the pup on an adventure. *Why You Should Attend* Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year in our community, says Mallory Moore of Duluth Loves Local, creator of Gourd Days. The festival showcases our incredible local businesses during this special season. Rebekah Rush of Wonderfully Made, a Gourd Days partner, is passionate about supporting the artisan community on the North Shore, and is all about highlighting that exceptional talent. It’s a chance to discover remarkable creations from both established and emerging makers, whether you’re a Duluth resident or just visiting. And honestly? The crew has really outdone themselves. With comfortable seating areas to relax and soak in those lake views, this is the perfect way to spend an October weekend before we all hibernate for winter. Alright, Let’s Get to the Important Stuff When: October 3, 4, and 5 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day Where: DECC at 350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN Cost: FREE admission! Parking: Available onsite for $10 So here’s my plan I’m walking through the Pumpkin House, which will be filled with sunflowers and literally encased in pumpkins from the Duluth Flower Farm. This will help me fulfill my yearly promise to get my gourd on early and decorate. Then I’m browsing the cabins for some unique holiday gift (another thing I want to get a jump on) and definitely hopping on that Vista Fleet hay ride. I don’t want to miss to visiting the animals, either. Then it’s onto food trucks and beverages — or maybe that’s where I’ll start?
