The 75 Best Pumpkin Carving Ideas We've Seen This Year (2024)

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As Halloween creeps closer and closer, your window of time for finding the perfect pumpkin to carve up is getting smaller. However, that shouldn't stop you from reserving your tickets to the local pumpkin patch (and snapping some photos while y0u're there)—or, let's be real, driving up to your local grocery store and selecting a last-minute gourd to decorate your front stoop with. You don't even have to carve your pumpkin to create a ghastly entryway for trick-or-treaters to approach on the spooky holiday, but if you're a Halloween traditionalist and you're set on carving your pumpkin, we have a few jack-o'-lantern ideas you won't want to pass up.

The easiest way to prepare your pumpkin carving station is by setting down a layer of newspaper or plastic sheeting on your table to avoid the inevitable mess of cutting open your orange gourd. When it comes to actually carving the pumpkin, it's best to use a serrated knife. Traditionally, a hole is cut on the top of the pumpkin, which makes sense for a more stable carving space. However, it's easier to pull the innards out to hollow the gourd if you cut the hole on the bottom. Just be careful when balancing on the stem at the top. Keep a large bowl on hand to scoop the slimy guts into, and save the seeds for roasting as a little reward once you're finished with your masterpiece and enjoying a frightening read.

We'd recommend drawing the face or design onto your pumpkin before carving it up so you make fewer mistakes along the way. But hey, if you do mess up, you could always incorporate the mistake into the design! Whatever style you're going for this year, whether that's a cute pumpkin face or a terrifying monster, use our list of 75 creative jack-o'-lanterns for pumpkin carving inspiration.

For more Halloween fun, subscribe to our haunted house podcast Dark House on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you listen.

Witch's Brew Pumpkin

Anyone who loves a detailed design will be up for tackling this pumpkin carving idea: a witch stirring the brew in her cauldron as smoke spews out.

Toothy Grin Pumpkin

Give your pumpkin the biggest toothy grin this Halloween. Depending on what you do with the eyes, you can either make it look friendly or frightening.

Modern Cat Pumpkin

If you want something on the subtle side, consider re-creating this pumpkin featuring a bunch of mini cats by using a power drill. Get the tutorial from Handmade Charlotte.

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Skull Pumpkin

A skull face is sure to creep out anyone who glances at it. Use a skull stencil to guide your carving or print an illustration of a skull and use scissors to create your own.

Ceramic-Inspired Pumpkins

Take inspiration from these ceramic displays by carving small leaves and droplets into your pumpkins in an abstract botanical pattern that feels like it flows.

Pineapple Pumpkin

Transform a pumpkin into a creepy version of a realistic pineapple. Start by carving the eyes and the face (with or without making holes), and then tap into your painting skills. Use green felt to fashion the crown.

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RV Pumpkin

For a project that requires two pumpkins and squash detailing, look no further than this RV creation by Togo RV. It'll look especially cute sitting outside the front door of a trailer.

Black Spray-Painted Pumpkin

For a slight twist on the classic jack-o'-lantern carving, use black spray paint to cover the inside of your pumpkin. Let some of the paint seep outside the eyes for an extra-ominous look.

Cute Cat Pumpkin

If you're not into the whole scariness of Halloween and you consider yourself a cat lover, opt for carving a cute cat pumpkin. This one by Ladyface Blog even features little feet and ears.

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Impaled Fence Pumpkins

Scared Pumpkin

Not all carved pumpkins have to be creepy or happy—they can be scared, too! This one looks like he's just seen a ghost.

Be Kind Pumpkin

Spread good vibes this season by carving sweet sayings into your pumpkin. Mention kindness, generosity, happiness, love, or well wishes to greet all trick-or-treaters with a pleasant surprise.

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Mickey Mouse Pumpkin

While Studio DIY crafted this Mickey Mouse decor out of faux pumpkins, why not use the concept on real ones? The tutorial includes printable stencils to make it easy.

Thorny Pumpkin

When you have themed dishes to match, a spiky jack-o'-lantern can make a great centerpiece or party platter accent. A linoleum cutter etches the design into the pumpkin without cutting all the way through for a design that glows; hollow it out from the bottom to insert an LED tea light.

Get the tutorial at Country Living.

Baby Yoda Pumpkin

Baby Yoda has been an inspiration for everything from pet Halloween costumes to Amazon Echo Dot stands, so why not let the beloved character take the spotlight on your pumpkin?

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Instagram Pumpkin

This pumpkin is definitely Instagram worthy. Carve bats around the social media app logo and stick an orange smoking canister inside for a spooky effect.

Cottage Pumpkin

While this pumpkin carving is meant to be a haunted house, you can easily play down its spooky vibes by removing the bats and adding a few flowers around the home to set a lovely, magical cottage scene.

Eyeball Pumpkin

What's creepier than a single detailed eye? Make it feel like something's always watching your front yard with this eyeball pumpkin. Bonus: Add another pumpkin next to it with very sharp-looking teeth to enhance the spookiness.

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Puking Pumpkin

Make use of your pumpkin's guts this year by literally putting them on display to give off the impression your pumpkin is puking its guts out.

Zombie Pumpkin

Another creepy take: a pumpkin with an exposed brain made of a smaller, white pumpkin.