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Dalston Eastern Curve Garden’s annual festival sees thousands get creative with pumpkin carving

David Child

Published: 2:27 PM October 24, 2017

Updated: 10:43 AM October 14, 2020

Pumpkin carving at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden on Sunday. Pictures: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland - Credit: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland

Kids, knives and fire but no injuries? It could only be Dalston Eastern Curve Garden’s eighth annual Pumpkin Lantern Festival, which attracted thousands on Sunday.

Pumpkin carving at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden on Sunday. Pictures: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland - Credit: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland

More than 680 carved pumpkins, including fruit resembling cats, clowns and even St Paul’s Cathedral, were illuminated to mark the beginning of the garden’s annual “Festival of Light” celebrations.

Children, young adults, and parents spent the weekend carving the pumpkins, competing to create the most impressive offerings.

Pumpkin carving at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden on Sunday. Pictures: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland - Credit: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland

Event organiser Marie Murray said she was “incredibly proud” of the event and praised Dalston’s “community creativity”.

“Our team of hard-working volunteers assisted Hackney residents young and old in bringing their pumpkins to spooky life,” she said.

The Festival of Light features lantern-making workshops and installations that will keep the garden, in Dalston Lane, illuminated throughout the winter.

Pumpkin carving at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden on Sunday. Pictures: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland - Credit: Alex Bogdan, Sandra Keating and Alex Sutherland