Questions About Admission/Tickets
How much is admission?
Admission to the festival is FREE.
What are Activity Wristbands? What can I use Activity Wristbands for at the festival?
Activity Wristbands can be used for unlimited access to games and most activities. The Rope Bridge is an exception. Your Wristband will entitle you to one trip across the Rose Bridge. We do not sell individual tickets for games and activities. Kids ages 2 and under do not need an Activity Wristband to play games.
Wristbands are not used by food trucks or other outside vendors, and they can not be used for concessions at the concession tent. Pumpkins are sold for credit only at the Pumpkin Tent.
Unless you purchase a Weekend Pass Wristband, Wristbands are sold for the day you plan to attend the festival, either Saturday or Sunday, and can not be transferred from one day to the other once purchased. Weekend Pass Wristbands can be used both days for unlimited play!
How many people can use an Activity Wristband?
Wristbands are single user and only applicable to the wearer. They are not to be take off and traded or shared..
Can I purchase Pumpkin Passes prior to the festival? Where and how do I pick up pre-purchased Pumpkin Passes?
We will be opening up pre-sales for Activity Wristbands, Wagon Ride Tickets, and a selection of pumpkins prior to the event.
NOTE: Pre-sale Wristbands and Wagon Ride Tickets can be picked up at our north and south parking lot ticket tents. Pre-sale pumpkins may be picked up at the Pumpkin Tent. Pre-purchased items are non-refundable and non-transferrable and must be picked up by the original purchaser with a photo ID and an email confirmation of their purchase.
Where and how can I purchase Activity Wristbands and Wagon Ride Tickets at the festival?
Activity Wristbands and Wagon Ride Tickets will be sold at the north and south ends of the park at Ticket Tents located in our north and south parking lots. We are going cashless this year, so bring your credit or debit card.
What are your refund policies?
We do not offer refunds. The Nature Discovery Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Proceeds from your purchases of Activity Wristbands, Wagon Ride Tickets, pumpkins, and concessions support our nature programs and the care of our nature park and animal ambassadors.
Other Common Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival Questions
Is your pumpkin patch already open?
Our pumpkin patch is part of a 2 day fall festival each year. We do not have an ongoing patch available throughout the month of October like some other places do. Pumpkins will be for sale Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26, 2025 during the festival hours of 11 am to 4 pm both days.
Where do I park?
Side street parking is available in the neighborhood surrounding the Nature Discovery Center. Please be mindful and keep driveways clear for our neighbors. Parking **may** be available in the parking lots that belong to Bellaire United Methodist Church along Newcastle and Bellaire Blvd. on Saturday and on Sunday after 1 pm. PLEASE look to be sure there are Pumpkin Patch Parking signs before parking in these lots.
How can we pay for pumpkins at the festival? How can we pick up pumpkins purchased at the event?
Pumpkins are sold for credit only at the Pumpkin Sale Tent located at the pumpkin patch on the Center’s front lawn. Once you pay for pumpkins, you may carry them with you, or you may place them in a holding area with your name on them for later pick up via our Rollover Curbside Pumpkin Pick Up on Newcastle Street.
Is there a map of the event?
Yes, Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival event maps are located at Ticket Tents at the north and south ends of the park. We often post the event map on our social media pages in the days leading up to the event.
Is there a lost and found?
Lost and found items will be kept at the Ticket Tents at both the north and south ends of the park. Lost children should be taken to the nearest Ticket Tent where NDC Staff/Volunteers will supervise the child/ren until their adult caregiver can be located.
Is the festival accessible?
The park has a porous pave central path, concrete sidewalks around the Center building and leading to the outdoor restrooms, and decomposed granite paths around the perimeter of the park that are all accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons. All of these are subject to considerable congestion at times during the event, so bring your patience, but know that you can get around the event.
What are Prize Passports and how do our kids get prizes?
Prize Passports are cards where kids can collect stamps throughout the festival for playing games, making crafts, and participating in other activities like our scavenger hunt. Before you leave the festival, you can stop by the Prize Table to pick out prizes. The more stamps you collect, the better the prizes you can choose from. But kids who collect even just 1 stamp are eligible for a prize.
