By Alejandra Flores and Samantha Acuña · October 15, 2025
Colectivo Artik, part of Cósmica Eventos, the group that produces Pumpkin Dash, has established its festival as one of the most innovative in the country. Inspired by the magic of autumn and the spirit of the harvest, this space offers more than fun: it is a bridge between tradition, culture and tourism in Monterrey.
With immersive areas, live shows and its iconic pumpkin patch, Pumpkin Dash creates an ecosystem designed for the whole family. But its vision goes beyond entertainment. For Eder Martínez, Director of Colectivo Artik, the festival is a strategic bet: “We wanted to bring to Mexico a tradition that already existed elsewhere, but with our own approach. It’s not just Halloween; it’s a celebration of the Monterrey harvest, of everything our land produces year after year.”
From a small dream to a massive phenomenon
The project began in a space of just 1,000 m² and today, five years later, covers more than 10,000 m², making it the largest autumn festival in Mexico. That growth marked a turning point: from an emerging festival to a massive event that has captured the attention of families and visitors from across the region.
Its experience design is no accident. Every detail is fine-tuned by listening to the public: “We look at where the longest lines are and what visitors enjoy most. Our landmark, Sr. Calabazo, was born from those surveys and today it is a symbol of the festival,” explains Eder Martínez.
Collaborative creativity
The biggest creative challenge: starting with a blank canvas. The solution: bringing minds together. The artistic and conceptual direction is complemented by the operations and renders of Néstor (Galileo Marketing), the digital strategy of Tania Rendón and the work of more than 200 local artists coordinated by Colectivo Artik. In Eder Martínez’s words:
“Everyone is an artist, even the visitors, because they also build their own experience within the festival.”
Pumpkin Dash generates around 500 direct and indirect jobs, while also supporting local suppliers and creatives. Several local brands and businesses have joined its ecosystem, betting on win-win collaborations. Each year, part of the ticket sales goes to local associations and foundations, reaffirming its commitment to the community.
The festival also serves as a platform to showcase local talent: from sculptors and blacksmiths to painters, musicians and designers, they all come together in collaborative pieces that turn the space into an artistic and cultural mosaic.
What sets Pumpkin Dash apart from other seasonal festivals is its focus on the harvest and on strengthening local pride. All the pumpkins sold are grown a year in advance in the north of the region, a detail that connects attendees with the land and with the agricultural identity of northern Mexico.
Add to this its prime location and its value proposition: a space where families, local businesses and culture come together to offer an immersive experience.
Among the most treasured memories are the children’s reactions during the light shows: the inevitable “wow” that sums up the essence of the festival. That sense of wonder is what Colectivo Artik seeks to renew every year, exceeding the public’s expectations. Pumpkin Dash’s impact already reaches beyond the city, as this year it will expand to Torreón. For Martínez, the advice for those looking to innovate in tourism and culture is clear: “Trust in what you do. There will always be someone else crazy enough to join you on the journey.”
A harvest of experiences
Pumpkin Dash is not just a festival: it is a living celebration of the season, a space where tradition and creativity intertwine. Its growth makes it a benchmark for how tourism can reinvent itself with original proposals that strengthen culture and create value for the community.
This autumn, Pumpkin Dash invites you to experience the colors, flavors and emotions of the harvest in our destination, Monterrey, consolidating the region as a vibrant destination full of opportunities for the cultural and tourism industry.
