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🎃 Where To Drop Off Pumpkins After Halloween

Pumpkin drop-offs and pumpkin smash events in North Carolina and California counties, with dates, rules and the source for each.

⚡ Quick Answer

Raleigh's Yard Waste Center takes pumpkins and gourds from October 17 through December 12, 2026, during regular hours. Last fall, Henderson County ran a pumpkin dumpster at its convenience center from November 1 to December 6, New Hanover County ran two collection rounds, and San Luis Obispo and Carpinteria held pumpkin smash events on November 1. Most 2026 dates are not announced, so check before you go. Pull out candles and decorations first.

Published October 28, 2026. Each program comes from the city, county or operator page that runs it, read October 28, 2026. Not yet confirmed with the operators.

Wake County, NC: Seasonal pumpkins and gourds drop-off, Raleigh Yard Waste Center

  • 🏛️Run by City of Raleigh
  • 🗓️Oct. 17 through Dec. 12, during regular business hours. Closed Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
  • 💲Pumpkin fee not stated (page says excess yard waste drop-off is for a fee, amount on separate page)
  • 📍Raleigh Yard Waste Center, 900 N. New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 (Mon to Fri 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
  • 🧹Only the drop-off window and hours are given; no other pumpkin requirements listed
  • ⚠️Announced for 2026.
  • 📄Source: City of Raleigh page, read October 28, 2026.

Santa Barbara County, CA: Pumpkin Smash (third annual), Carpinteria

  • 🏛️Run by City of Carpinteria
  • 🗓️Saturday, Nov. 1 (page dated Oct. 22, 2025)
  • 💲Cost not stated
  • 📍Community Garden, 4855 5th St., Carpinteria (9 a.m. to noon)
  • 🧹Remove candles and decorations from pumpkin
  • 🧹RSVP requested
  • 🧹Bring a container to take compost home
  • ⚠️Older program. Newer dates were not found.
  • 📄Source: City of Carpinteria page, read October 28, 2026.

San Luis Obispo County, CA: Pumpkin Smash

  • 🏛️Run by City of San Luis Obispo
  • 🗓️Saturday, November 1, 2025
  • 💲Free
  • 📍French Park, 1040 Fuller Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
  • 🧹Bring unpainted pumpkins
  • 🧹Remove candles and decorations
  • ⚠️Older program. Newer dates were not found.
  • 📄Source: City of San Luis Obispo page, read October 28, 2026.

Henderson County, NC: Convenience Center Pumpkin Composting (Pumpkin Drop-off November 1-December 6)

  • 🏛️Run by Henderson County Solid Waste
  • 🗓️November 1 to December 6
  • 💲Cost not stated
  • 📍Henderson County Convenience Center (pumpkin dumpster), 265 Convenience Center Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28791 (Mon to Sat, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm)
  • 🧹Henderson County residents only
  • 🧹No household trash or recycling in the pumpkin dumpster; organic material only
  • 🧹Remove paint, candles and other decorative items from pumpkins
  • ⚠️Older program. Newer dates were not found.
  • 📄Source: Henderson County Solid Waste page, read October 28, 2026.

New Hanover County, NC: 2025 Pumpkin Collection Event (7th annual)

  • 🏛️Run by NC Composting Council, Coastal Composting Chapter, with local partners (page hosted by N.C. Cooperative Extension, New Hanover County Center)
  • 🗓️Round 1: November 1-10; Round 2: December 1-8 (2025)
  • 💲Free at Wilmington Compost Company; landfill fee waived for pumpkins; others not stated
  • 📍N.C. Cooperative Extension, New Hanover County Center and Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
  • 📍NHC Landfill, 510 US Hwy 421 N (Regular business hours; tell weigh house staff to have fee waived)
  • 📍NHC Hazwagon, Mon: Ogden Park near baseball field; Wed: Wrightsville Beach Town Hall; Fri: Carolina Beach Chappell Park; first Sat: Kure Beach Town Hall (10 am to 2 pm)
  • 📍Wilmington Compost Company (Pender County), 7336 State Hwy 210, Rocky Point (8 AM to 5 PM, Mon to Fri; free)
  • 📍UNCW Wagoner Dining Hall, UNCW campus (no street address given) (Regular business hours; lobby bin)
  • 🧹Collected only during the two rounds
  • 🧹Follow each site's instructions
  • ⚠️Older program. Newer dates were not found.
  • 📄Source: NC Composting Council, Coastal Composting Chapter, with local partners page, read October 28, 2026.
🎃No program near you? Ask your hauler whether a plain pumpkin, with candles and decorations removed, can go in your yard waste or food scrap cart.

❓ Common Questions

Where can I take pumpkins after Halloween?

In Raleigh, the city's Yard Waste Center at 900 N. New Hope Road takes pumpkins and gourds from October 17 through December 12, 2026. Elsewhere, the programs we found are from last year, so confirm this year's dates with your county or city.

Do I need to remove the candle and decorations?

Yes. Henderson County, San Luis Obispo and Carpinteria all ask people to remove candles and decorations. Henderson also asks people to remove any paint.

Can painted pumpkins be composted?

The programs we found ask for unpainted pumpkins, or for paint to be removed. Ask your county what to do with painted ones.

Is it free?

New Hanover County waived the landfill fee for pumpkins last year, and San Luis Obispo's event was free. Raleigh's page lists the dates but not a pumpkin fee.

Is this verified?

Each program comes from the running organization's own page, read October 28, 2026. We have not confirmed them by phone.