Halloween is around the corner and nothing sets the mood better than some spooky pumpkin carving ideas. Whether you are a pumpkin-carving pro or a first-time carver, there is no shortage of creative pumpkin ideas to help your jack-o’-lanterns stand out this year. From classic designs to intricate artistry, check out some imaginative pumpkin carving ideas below to welcome your trick-or-treaters this year. Underneath each image, you will find further details with links to all of the sources for the DIY tutorials. Happy Halloween!

Tips for carving pumpkins: Pick a theme and group jack-o-lanterns together; select pumpkins with beautiful long stems; hollow out the interior of the pumpkin, removing the guts and seeds from the bottom or the top (if you go in from the top, trace a circle around the top and cut in at an angle to create the lid); and illuminate pumpkins with battery-powered candles or string lights.

Tell Us: Which one of these pumpkin carving ideas do you find most inspiring? Let us know in the Comments below, we love reading your feedback!

1. Quilt-Inspired Pumpkin.

To make this creative quilt-inspired pumpkin you will need a large pumpkin, a pumpkin carving set, a sharpie or pencil to trace out the design on the front of your pumpkin (find the smoothest side), and an LED light or mini LED fairy lights that are battery-operated to illuminate the pumpkin. Carve the top of the pumpkin to create a lid and take the guts out of your pumpkin (you may wish to save the seeds for roasting in the oven). Find a template online and print it out to trace out the design with either your pencil or Sharpie. Use your pumpkin carving tools to cut out the shapes. Add a light, preferably on a timer, for when the sun goes down. (via @heritagehousequilts / Instagram)

2. Pumpkin Owls.

These adorable owl pumpkins can be featured on your front doorstep as a grouping or you can copy just one. The grouping would be fun for the whole family, as each person could design and carve their own owl-themed pumpkin. You could also make it a competition to see who comes up with the best design! (via @hectormsanchezphoto for @southernlivingmag / Instagram)

3. Emojis In The Wild.

Carve out emoji faces onto your pumpkins for a fun twist on a Halloween pumpkin. For the stars or any other shapes you would like to cut into your pumpkin, try using a stencil cutter. (via @theseptemberchronicles)

4. One-Eyed Monster Pumpkin.

This Halloween, get your pumpkin carving inspiration from a Disney character. This one-eyed monster pumpkin was inspired by the fictional character “Michael Wazowski” from the Disney/Pixar’s Monsters Inc. franchise. He was a green monster with one eye, two arms, legs, and small horns. (via @lizdanerys / Instagram)

5. Pumpkin In A Pumpkin House.

Carve out a pumpkin house with windows and a door that opens out to showcase a mini pumpkin (be sure to trace out the design with a pencil before you cut into your pumpkin). Use a black felt marker to add a smile to your mini pumpkin, or you can add peel-and-stick googly eyes to your mini pumpkin. Be sure to add an LED tea light candle behind the mini pumpkin for illumination. (via @pastrywithjenn / Instagram)

6. BOO Pumpkin.

Using a power tool, such as a drill, punch out the letters BOO or any other spooky message onto your pumpkin. Be sure to trace around the top of your pumpkin with a pencil or marker and use a pumpkin cutting knife to take the lid off the top and gut the pumpkin. You can also use a pumpkin cutting kit with a wooden hammer (safe for kids) that comes complete with star shapes to easily create the designs on your pumpkin. Add an LED light on a battery-operated timer to illuminate your pumpkin. (via @at.home.at.no.15 / Instagram)

7. The Pumpkinhead.

This spooky pumpkin face is sure to get your trick-or-treaters in the Halloween mood! This creative design features fairy lights in the background and an LED candle inserted inside to cast an eerie glow. To create this pumpkin, be sure to carve a lid at the top before starting the design. Then scoop out the guts and seeds to make enough space to add your light. (via @irishmantravelling / Instagram)

8. Zombie Baby Pumpkins.

Using plastic dolls (you can find them at a thrift store), make them super spooky with zombie eyes (check out this Halloween Forum for some great ideas to create your own zombie eyes). Add faux paint spilling out of the pumpkin. When you cut out an area of the pumpkin to insert the doll, be sure to have the guts of the pumpkin coming out the sides and onto the doll. (via @bestdayoftheweek_ / Instagram)

9. Crazy-Eyes Monster Pumpkin.

This spooky monster pumpkin requires more advanced pumpkin carving skills, but you could copy the look using simple materials. This one uses potatoes for the eyes and teeth. For the teeth, you could use pumpkin seeds or acrylic nails. For the eyes, you could use potatoes and just insert marbles for the pupils. Be sure to add an LED tea light candle to illuminate the large grin of this pumpkin. (via @villafanestudios / Instagram)

10. Bean Bag Toss Pumpkins.

This pumpkin can be used to put Halloween candy in the gaping mouths or for a backyard Fall/Halloween party with family and friends. To make this, simply cut holes into the bottom and top pumpkins and scoop out the guts. Trace out the Country Living Face Template onto the pumpkins, you will need to scale the sizing accordingly. Cut out the faces and stack the pumpkins using skewers to attach them, with the smaller one on top. If you are using the pumpkins for a bean bag toss, you will want to use the mouths to throw the bags into them, awarding more points for the top pumpkin. (via Brian Woodcock for @countryliving / Instagram)

11. Witch Pumpkin.

Using a pumpkin carving kit and a pumpkin face stencil, carve a scary face onto your pumpkin and a witch hat for the finishing touch. Add a complimentary pumpkin with the same pattern using a paint pen. A lantern with a tea light casts a warm glow when the lights go down. (via @windpicss / Instagram)

12. The Beautician Pumpkin.

If you want to do a little less carving this year, this crafty pumpkin will be worth a try! You will need a package of black wiggle googly eyes with self-adhesive backs (you may also wish to use some glue for an extra firm grip on your pumpkin), and fake acrylic nails to transform your pumpkin into a monster. Use a black felt tip marker for the eyelashes and a red marker for the lips. (via @bestdayoftheweek_ / Instagram)

13. Spooky Pumpkin Scene.

Create a whole grouping of pumpkins on your front porch, fun for the whole family! Everyone gets to explore their creativity, whether it be a carved or no-carve pumpkin. Add a handprint using fake blood on a white-painted pumpkin, or some drip blood onto a pumpkin and insert a large carving knife into the side of the pumpkin. Carve a whole into the side of a pumpkin and place some fresh or faux flowers into the side of it (if it’s fresh, be sure to place the stems in a small glass of water. Our favorite is “The Beautician Pumpkin”. (via @bestdayoftheweek_ / Instagram)

14. Fairytale Pumpkins.

These fairytale house pumpkins are super creative, using toothpicks for the bars on the windows and doors. Decorate with foraged finds from your yard so as fallen leaves and vines. These charming pumpkins are carved from the top with lids so you can easily place a light inside to illuminate the pumpkin. (via @laurencarrollphotography / Instagram)

15. Wine Drinking Buddy Pumpkin.

This Halloween, transform your pumpkin into a spooky skeleton jack-o-lantern. The set of Glow in the Dark Bones can be found at Walmart or the Spirit Halloween store. Pair this with a creatively carved, scary-faced pumpkin posed as his “drinking buddy,” holding a bottle of wine for a fun and festive display. This duo will create the perfect combination of spooky and fun. (via @diannnnneee / Instagram)

16. Critter Pumpkin House.

Create a pumpkin house inspired by woodland creatures, a place where squirrels chipmunks other forest creatures may venture and be left feeling satiated. A small rounded doorway with steps and windows, along with acorns and backyard trimmings adds an inviting touch to this enchanting pumpkin creation. (via @fairytaleevolution / Instagram)

17. Botanically Inspired Pumpkin.

This beautiful and inspiring pumpkin has an etched botanical-inspired design on the outside, perfect for those who love nature, To etch a design onto your pumpkin, use a thin, sharp blade. The best tools for this would be a wood carving gouge or a craft knife. The craft knife is better for creating the outline and cutting the finer details in the pumpkin. Drill small holes into the pumpkin to help illuminate the pumpkin using an LED candle or fairy lights on the interior. TIP: To help your pumpkin last longer, apply petroleum jelly to the etched areas. It will help to lock in moisture, delaying the decaying process to extend the life of your pumpkin. (via @electricdaisyflowerfarm / Instagram)

18. Mixed Pumpkin Designs.

Carve a pumpkin duo, one spooky-faced pumpkin and one with its happy face removed to reveal a spooky interior. Added skeleton arms keep hold of the carved pumpkin face, while creepy eyeballs peer out from the hollow interior. Add an LED tea light candle on the faceless pumpkin, casting an eerie glow. (via @diannnnneee / Instagram)

19. Pumpkin Getting Eaten.

Carve a large toothy pumpkin by peeling the skin off the outer layer of the pumpkin and adding a mini pumpkin into its mouth. Be sure to put a scared face on your mini pumpkin. This one has the guts coming out of it for an extra special effect. (via @_bellamena / Instagram)

20. Toothy Grin Pumpkin.

This creative masterpiece uses white teeth carved from a russet potato that can be affixed using toothpicks or super glue to give a “toothy” effect. The goofy eyeballs are also made using potatoes. TIP: To keep the potatoes from browning, soak them in lemon juice before attaching them to your pumpkin. (via @villafanestudios)

21. Twine Stitch Jack-O-Lantern.

This scary pumpkin face requires a lot of toothpicks for its sharp teeth. You will also need some fake stage blood to put around the mouth, eyes, and the gash on the forehead. You can use a handheld drill to put small holes into the pumpkin to thread twine across the eyes. The LED light on the interior helps to cast a spooky glow with the red on the edges of the pumpkin. (via @NevermoreForge / Reddit)

22. Face-Off Pumpkin.

This unique pumpkin will be sure to put a scare in your trick-or-treaters this Halloween. To create, trace out a face onto your pumpkin and carve out the shapes. Next, using a pumpkin carving knife, cut out the face at an angle. Leave most of the guts hanging and place spooky eyeballs into the guts. Use a creepy hand affixed to the side of the pumpkin to hold the face. (via @vistopher / Reddit)

23. All Strung Out Pumpkin.

For a unique look, try using yarn to stitch the face of your pumpkin. Use a small handheld drill to poke the holes through, then string through the hole to make the spooky pattern. (via Defne / Pinterest)

24. Pumpkin In A Pumpkin.

Get out your pumpkin carving kit and get creative this Halloween season. Create a scary pumpkin face and add a mini pumpkin into its mouth like it is gobbling it up. If you want to get extra creative, carve or draw a freaked-out face onto your mini pumpkin. Be sure to illuminate within using a pumpkin LED light for an extra spooky look. (via @kimmakisme / Instagram)

25. The “Achoo” Pumpkin.

Before throwing away (or baking) your pumpkin seeds that you just carved out of your pumpkin, why not repurpose them? Get creative by having your pumpkin throwing up the seeds or sneezing the seeds out of its nose and onto the floor of your front porch or steps. (via @diannnnneee / Instagram)

26. Spooky Pumpkin House.

This little spooky house features black plastic spiders and a spider web with an LED light on the interior for a spooky glow. Meringue ghosts surround the pumpkin, a nice addition if you are decorating your kitchen countertop for a Halloween party. (via @nourkandler / Instagram)

27. Scary Pumpkin Creature.

For this spooky pumpkin, you will need to slice it in half, and put spooky eyes into the guts. You can get LED glowing eyes to put into your pumpkin for an extra spooky look. Pumpkin Vine Arms are used to left the top half of the pumpkin, you could also use skeleton hands. (via @villafanestudios / Instagram)

28. Magical Pumpkin House.

Create an enchanting fairytale cottage out of your pumpkin using natural objects found in nature such as leaves and twigs. Use a wooden door for the entrance and set atop a large wood slice to display at your front door. (via @just.mom.life / Instagram)

29. Hungry Anglerfish Pumpkin.

For all those  a fun one to display on your front porch. Two mini pumpkins are used for the eyes, while push pins are used for the gills. A dangler and craft stick teeth provide the finishing touches. (via @kiwico_inc / Instagram)

30. Scary Eyed Pumpkin Monster.

This simple pumpkin design is a family-friendly design, using plastic teeth and eyeballs affixed to your gourd. With your pumpkin carving tools, simply cut out a gaping hole for the mouth and remove the guts from your pumpkin. (via @heidisrambles / X)

31. One-Eyed Pumpkin Monster.

Called the “Pumpkin Beholder”, this brilliant pumpkin design will be a crowd-pleaser. Using a variety of gourds, this scary one-eyed pumpkin monster comes to life. You will also need to cut out some jagged teeth and a large singular eye for the finishing touch to this brilliant pumpkin design. (via @Commander_Peanuts / Reddit)

*This post contains affiliate links*