Tesco to hand out free pre-carved pumpkins at ten UK stores this October

Tesco announced a limited-time promotion in which pre-carved pumpkins will be given away at ten UK stores from Thursday, October 22, until Saturday, October 31. The pumpkins, featuring an Eclipse design inspired by a 2026 celestial event and a classic jack-o-lantern, are prepared by Tesco’s resident pumpkin artists and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis between 3 pm and 5 pm each day, with the Nottingham Top Valley Extra store offering a 2 pm to 4 pm slot on Sunday, October 25.

No purchase is necessary, and the offer is subject to stock availability. The initiative follows research by Censuswide, which found that 36% of British adults would like help with pumpkin carving and that pressure to create a perfect display affects over a quarter of respondents. In addition to the free pumpkins, Tesco provides a downloadable Eclipse stencil and sells other pumpkin varieties starting at 55p, alongside a full range of Halloween merchandise. The promotion aims to make the holiday tradition easier for families and reduce the mess and time involved in carving.