
Homer Glen Pumpkin Patch: 2026 Bengtson's Farm Guide, Rides & Pricing
Homer Glen is home to Chicagoland's most famous fall festival destination: Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm, located at 13341 W 151st St in Will County, roughly 38 minutes southwest of the Chicago Loop. Operating continuously for over 44 years and rated 4.5 stars across 6,392+ verified Google reviews, the Homer Glen pumpkin patch features an all-inclusive admission model ($19.99 to $29.99) granting unlimited access to 14 mechanical amusement rides, the world-famous Swifty Swine racing pigs, a massive petting zoo, hayrides, and warm apple cider donuts made fresh daily. This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Homer Glen's pumpkin patch in 2026, including ticket prices, ride lineups, crowd tips, and how it compares to neighboring farms.
The Homer Glen Pumpkin Patch at a Glance (Bengtson's Farm)
When families talk about the 'Homer Glen pumpkin patch,' they are referring to Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm - Chicagoland's premier family fall festival. Situated on 151st Street between Bell Road and Gougar Road, Bengtson's operates not as a dusty roadstand, but as a full-scale autumn theme park that pairs traditional pumpkin picking with modern mechanical amusement rides, live entertainment, and artisan food village dining.
Unlike pay-per-attraction pumpkin farms where carnival tickets rapidly inflate your day's budget, the Homer Glen pumpkin patch uses an all-inclusive gate admission model. Once inside, every mechanical ride, animal encounter, and daily farm show is completely unlimited for the entire day. The only additional expenses are whatever pumpkins you take home, bakery purchases, and meal dining.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location & Address | 13341 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL 60491 (Will County) |
| Drive Time from Loop | 38 mins (30 miles via I-55 S & I-355 S) |
| 2026 Season Dates | September 11 - November 1, 2026 |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Thu: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM | Fri-Sun: 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM | Columbus Day: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM |
| 2026 Admission | Value Weekday: $19.99 | Friday: $24.99 | Weekend & Columbus Day: $29.99 | Under 2: FREE |
| What Admission Includes | Unlimited access to all 14 mechanical carnival rides, pig races, tractor hayrides & petting zoo |
| Parking | 100% Free on-site lots with complimentary tractor-drawn shuttles |
| Corn Maze | None on site (head 8 mins west to Siegel's Cottonwood Farm in Lockport for a 15-acre maze) |
| Payment & Pets | 100% Cashless (Cards & Apple Pay accepted) | No pets (service animals only) |
2026 Admission Pricing, Ticket Tiers & How to Save $40
Admission at the Homer Glen pumpkin patch ranges between $19.99 and $29.99 per person for the 2026 season, depending strictly on the day of the week you visit. Children under 24 months enter completely free and require no advance ticket.
Because gate admission covers unlimited turns on all 14 mechanical rides, families with toddlers and school-age children frequently save money here compared to farms that charge a $15 gate fee plus $3 to $5 per individual carnival ticket or a separate $25 ride wristband.
The best budget strategy is visiting Monday through Thursday. At $19.99 per ticket, a family of four spends $79.96 for weekday admission versus $119.96 on a peak Saturday or Sunday - an instant savings of $40 for an identical experience with dramatically shorter lines.
| Ticket Tier | Days Valid | 2026 Price | Included Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value Weekday | Monday - Thursday | $19.99 | Unlimited rides, Swifty Swine pig races, petting zoo, tractor hayrides |
| Standard Friday | Friday only | $24.99 | Full weekend entertainment schedule, all 14 rides, evening farm atmosphere |
| Peak Weekend | Saturday, Sunday & Columbus Day | $29.99 | Peak weekend entertainment, craft food village, all rides and shows |
| Infants & Toddlers | Every day | FREE | Free entry for children under 24 months; no ticket required |
Must-Do Attractions at Homer Glen's Pumpkin Farm
Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm features an extensive roster of family attractions engineered to keep toddlers, older kids, and parents engaged for a full 4- to 6-hour visit. Here are the headlining attractions included with admission:
- 13 Mechanical Carnival Rides: From the family-favorite Roller COWster and spinning Barnyard Dance to the gentle Frog Hopper, Flying Frogs, and Happy Swing, every ride is calibrated for young families and requires zero individual ride tickets.
- The Famous Swifty Swine Pig Races: A beloved Homer Glen tradition running multiple shows daily, featuring spirited pot-bellied pigs racing around a track for an Oreo cookie prize.
- Frog Hopper Drop Tower: Spring-loaded bouncing drop ride that gives kids exciting mini-drops and giggles.
- Petting Zoo & Elevated Goat Bridge: Hands-on encounters with dozens of friendly farm animals, complete with an overhead goat suspension bridge where visitors crank feed cups up to hungry goats.
- Tractor Town Hayrides: Tractor-drawn wagon journeys through scenic farm fields and harvest displays, ideal for catching your breath between ride sessions.
- Fresh Apple Cider Donuts & Farm Bakery: Fresh batches dropped hot from commercial donut fryers throughout the day, coated in cinnamon sugar and paired with chilled apple cider or warm pumpkin spice lattes.
Does the Homer Glen Pumpkin Patch Have a Corn Maze? (Bengtson's vs. Siegel's)
The single most common misunderstanding among first-time visitors is expecting a giant corn maze at Bengtson's. Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm does not plant or cut a corn maze. The farm dedicates its entire acreage to mechanical amusement park rides, show arenas, farm animal barns, and wide pedestrian thoroughfares.
If exploring a corn maze is an essential requirement for your autumn outing, you do not need to drive far. Siegel's Cottonwood Farm is located just 8 minutes west of Bengtson's in neighboring Lockport (down 151st Street / Route 7). Siegel's features a renowned 15-acre corn maze cut in the shape of the State of Illinois alongside 35+ traditional farm attractions. Many Southwest suburban families visit both farms across different weekends in October to experience the best of both worlds.
| Feature | Bengtson's (Homer Glen) | Siegel's Cottonwood Farm (Lockport) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Appeal | 13 mechanical theme rides & pig races | 15-acre mega corn maze & farm heritage |
| Corn Maze | None | 15-acre State of Illinois themed maze |
| Mechanical Rides | 13 unlimited rides included with gate | Select kiddie train and wagon rides |
| 2026 Ticket Range | $19.99 - $29.99 (all-inclusive) | $19.95 - $24.95 ($5 off online in advance) |
| Drive from Loop | 38 minutes (30 miles) | 40 minutes (34 miles) |
| Best For | Toddlers, young kids & ride enthusiasts | Corn maze explorers, older kids & teens |
Top Ranked Picks & Why We Recommend Them
Directions, Drive Times & Free Parking Logistics
Reaching Homer Glen from downtown Chicago is straightforward. Take I-55 South from the Loop to I-355 South (Veterans Memorial Tollway), exit at 151st Street (Exit 6), and drive east for roughly 1.5 miles. Total drive time is approximately 38 minutes under typical conditions.
Parking at Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm is 100% free. The farm provides multiple large paved and packed-gravel parking fields. On high-volume October weekends, complimentary tractor-drawn shuttle wagons run continuous loops through the outer lots, picking up families with strollers and dropping them right at the front ticket gates.
Family Amenities, Stroller Accessibility & Cashless Policy
Bengtson's is widely recognized as one of the most parent-friendly agritourism facilities in Illinois. Key amenities on site include:
- Stroller Navigation: Main pedestrian spines are paved or packed with smooth crushed gravel, making them effortless for standard strollers and wagons even following light rainfall.
- Restrooms & Nursing Suites: Unlike portable chemical toilets found at smaller farm stands, Bengtson's offers clean, heated, permanent indoor flush restrooms and private nursing rooms equipped with baby-changing stations.
- Cashless Operations: The farm operates 100% cashless across all ticket booths, food concessions, bakery stands, and pumpkin checkouts. Credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay/Google Pay are accepted everywhere.
- Strict Pet Policy: Outside dogs and pets are not permitted on farm grounds to protect the petting zoo animals and maintain hygiene. Accredited ADA service animals trained to perform specific tasks are welcome.
Make It an Autumn Day Trip: What to Do Around Homer Glen
Homer Glen and the surrounding Will County corridor offer plenty of seasonal activities if you want to extend your visit beyond the pumpkin farm:
- Messenger Woods Nature Preserve: Located just 10 minutes south of Bengtson's, this 400-acre Will County preserve features serene wooded hiking trails showcasing breathtaking autumn foliage.
- Heritage Quarries Recreation Area: Situated 12 minutes northwest in historic Lockport, offering scenic waterside walking trails along the historic I&M Canal corridor.
- Local Farm Markets & Dining: Homer Glen features welcoming family eateries along Bell Road and 159th Street, including local pizzerias, family diners, and craft coffee stops perfect for refueling after an active day outdoors.
Essential Checklist & Pro-Tips
- Visit midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday before 1:00 PM) to get the $19.99 value rate and walk straight onto rides with zero wait times.
- Bring an all-terrain stroller or folding wagon with rubber wheels to transport tired kids and pumpkins back to your vehicle.
- Remember that Bengtson's is 100% cashless - ensure you have a debit card, credit card, or active Apple Pay ready.
- Pack baby wipes or hand sanitizer for quick clean-up between the petting zoo goat bridge and eating fresh cider donuts.
- Check the weather before departing; rides operate weather permitting, and grass areas can soften after heavy rainfall.
- If your family wants a corn maze, plan a combo day or return visit to Siegel's Cottonwood Farm in neighboring Lockport, just 8 minutes away.
Guide FAQs
Essential facts, ticket details, and seasonal planning questions answered for Fall 2026.
Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm at 13341 W 151st St is Homer Glen's primary pumpkin patch and fall festival, operating for over 44 years. Rated 4.5 stars across 6,392+ verified Google reviews, it features 14 mechanical amusement rides, Swifty Swine pig races, hayrides, and warm cider donuts.
