Bury St Edmunds Pumpkin Carving Competition

This Halloween, we’re inviting families, schools and budding pumpkin artists to get creative and carve a pumpkin inspired by the fascinating witch trial history of Bury St Edmunds.

The competition is brought to you by Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, in partnership with Moyse’s Hall Museum and the Salem Witch Museum in Massachusetts.

Whether you create a spooky scene, a witchy character or your own interpretation of Bury St Edmunds’ witch trial history, we want to see your pumpkin creations!

And there’s an extra special twist… your pumpkin could be judged by the Salem Witch Museum in Massachusetts, one of the world’s foremost experts on the history of witch trials.

📍 Please note: this competition is open to residents of Bury St Edmunds and surrounding villages.

How to Enter

Entries are open from 20 October to 30 October 2026.

To enter, simply email competitions@burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk with:

A photograph of your carved pumpkin

• Your full name
• Your age
• Your postcode (Please note: this competition is open to residents of Bury St Edmunds and surrounding villages only. When you enter, you'll need to provide your postcode so we can check that you live within the eligible area.)
• A short sentence explaining your pumpkin and what it shows
• An optional short video of your pumpkin — portrait format please — which may be shared on Bury St Edmunds and Beyond and partner social media channel.

Please make sure your entry is submitted between 20 and 30 October.

View the full competition Terms & Conditions below.

Prizes

There are four age categories, with a winner selected in each:

Age 8 and under

Winner receives:

A heritage ticket for Moyse’s Hall Museum
£20 Bury St Edmunds Gift Card

Age 9–12

Winner receives:

A heritage ticket for Moyse’s Hall Museum
£20 Bury St Edmunds Gift Card

Age 13–17

Winner receives:

A heritage ticket for Moyse’s Hall Museum
£20 Bury St Edmunds Gift Card

Age 18+

Winner receives:

A heritage ticket for Moyse’s Hall Museum
£20 Bury St Edmunds Gift Card

What will the judges be looking for?

The judges will be looking for creativity, originality and how well each pumpkin captures the spirit of its chosen theme.

So get imaginative and bring the spooky stories of Bury St Edmunds’ past to life!

A Tale of Two Witch Trial Locations

This Halloween competition celebrates the fascinating connection between Bury St Edmunds and Salem, Massachusetts, and the shared history of their infamous witch trials.

More than 300 years ago, in 1662, Bury St Edmunds was the scene of a witch trial involving Amy Denny and Rose Cullender.

The case was recorded in a publication called A Tryal of Witches, which historians believe was later consulted by Salem magistrates when considering what evidence could be admitted during the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692. A rare copy of this book can be seen at Moyse's Hall Museum.

Today, Moyse’s Hall Museum and the Salem Witch Museum are working together to explore this shared history through exhibitions, research and educational exchanges — helping visitors to understand the human stories behind these tragic events.

The partnership also celebrates the forthcoming long-term witch trials exhibition at Moyse’s Hall Museum, which will explore this important and fascinating part of Bury St Edmunds’ history.

Ready to get carving?

Grab your pumpkin, get creative and see if you can impress the judges in Salem!

Entries open 20 October – 30 October 2026.

Email your entry to: competitions@burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk

Good luck — and happy carving!

Terms & Conditions

By entering you are agreeing to our terms and conditions:
- Competition closes 23:59 on 30 October 2026.
- Please note: this competition is open to residents of Bury St Edmunds and surrounding villages. When you enter, you'll need to provide your name, contact details and postcode so we can check that you live within the eligible area.
- By entering the competition, entrants confirm that the submitted pumpkin photograph is their own entry and that they have the necessary rights and permissions to submit the photograph.
- The competition organiser reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the competition's eligibility requirements or these terms and conditions.
- The winner will be contacted by email. 
- Entrants to this competition agree to Bury St Edmunds and Beyond using their details in post-competition publicity. Your details will not be used for any other purpose, or passed onto any third parties, unless specified.
- Your photo and video clip of your pumpkin carving may be used in our marketing and shared on social media.
- The prize is non-transferable, and no cash alternative will be offered. Travel to and from Bury St Edmunds is not included. 
- Bury St Edmunds and Beyond reserves the right to amend the competition end date at any time.
- This competition is being run by the Bury St Edmunds and Beyond brand, part of Our Bury St Edmunds BID based at 2nd Floor, 2 Woolhall Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1LA.