If carving a pumpkin isn’t your idea of a fun evening, then one supermarket has a shortcut for Halloween. Tesco Stockport Extra will give away free pre-carved pumpkins tomorrow (Tuesday 27th October), from 3pm to 5pm. You don’t need to buy anything, but the pumpkins go on a first-come, first-served basis and only while stocks last.
Shoppers can choose between two designs: a classic jack-o’-lantern or an Eclipse-inspired carving. The Eclipse design nods to this year’s eclipse and includes the viewing glasses many people wore to watch it. Tesco’s in-house pumpkin artists carved them. If you’d rather do your own carving, you can download a free Eclipse stencil.
Why is Tesco giving away carved pumpkins?
The giveaway follows Tesco research showing that 36% of Brits would welcome some help with pumpkin carving. Another 28% feel pressure to produce a doorstep-worthy pumpkin, and 33% want theirs to look as good as their neighbours’.
People give several reasons for holding back. Some lack carving skills (26%), some dread the mess (19%), and some don’t feel creative enough (19%). Among parents, 78% love seeing their children’s creativity come to life, but 37% admit they’d rather have a more polished pumpkin on the doorstep.
The research was carried out by Censuswide among 2,000 UK adults aged 18+ between 24 and 28 September 2026.
Tesco’s national pumpkin tour
Stockport’s slot is part of a national giveaway tour running across 10 Tesco stores from 22nd to 31st October, with each store handing out pumpkins on a single day. Tesco has also carved limited-edition designs inspired by 2026’s most talked-about moments, including the Bayeux Tapestry’s visit to Britain, Artemis II and the summer’s big football tournament. Stockport’s choice, though, is the Eclipse or the classic jack-o’-lantern.
If you miss out. Tesco also sells pumpkins for home carving, from mini munchkin pumpkins to large carving pumpkins, with prices starting at 55p.
