Spookley marks 25 years with new anniversary campaign

Spookley the Square Pumpkin is celebrating 25 years with a new campaign from Holiday Hill Farm that invites families, educators and fans to mark the milestone through books, movies, live events and classroom activities. The anniversary push also ties Spookley’s message of kindness and bullying prevention to National Bullying Prevention Month this October.

Why it matters: - Spookley has become a long-running kids’ brand built around kindness, acceptance and difference. - The 25th anniversary gives Holiday Hill Farm a chance to reach families, classrooms and seasonal attractions during peak Halloween demand. - Spookley’s role as the Official Spokes-Pumpkin for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center keeps the character tied to a broader anti-bullying message.

What happened: - Holiday Hill Farm launched “25 Ways to Celebrate Spookley,” a #SpookleySeason campaign for the character’s 25th anniversary. - The campaign invites families, educators and fans to celebrate through books, movies, music, live events, crafts, costumes, giveaways and more. - The anniversary comes 25 years after Spookley first appeared in Joe Troiano’s children’s book. - The company announced the campaign on Sept. 22, 2026.

The details: - Spookley started as a non-scary bedtime story and grew into a franchise that includes books, animated movies, music, stage productions, educational programming, seasonal attractions and consumer products. - Holiday Hill Farm says the franchise is enjoyed by millions of families around the world. - Campaign highlights include a virtual birthday celebration on Oct. 21 with a live reading by Troiano and a birthday sing-along. - Spirit Halloween is selling a new official Spookley costume. - Pumpkin patches across North America are offering Spookley-themed activities and attractions. - “Spookley’s Pumpkin Jamboree” is a new 4D attraction film at participating zoos and aquariums. - Families can read “The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin,” first published 25 years ago this fall. - The official Spookley YouTube channel features the movies and “Spookley’s 13 Days of Halloween.” - The campaign also includes the Bullying Prevention Pledge, free classroom activities, coloring pages, crafts, anniversary giveaways and a call for fans to share memories. - The complete list of 25 Ways to Celebrate Spookley is available here. - More information is available at Spookley’s website. - The character’s social accounts include @spookleythesquarepumpkin on Instagram and @Spookley on Facebook.

Between the lines: - Holiday Hill Farm is using the anniversary to refresh a familiar seasonal character with new products and experiences. - The mix of classroom tools, entertainment and live events suggests the brand is aiming for both family engagement and school use. - Troiano’s message about not judging a book or a pumpkin by its cover keeps the anniversary focused on the original theme rather than nostalgia alone.

What’s next: - Holiday Hill Farm will roll out anniversary activities throughout #SpookleySeason. - Fans can take part in the virtual event on Oct. 21 and the broader slate of fall attractions, giveaways and classroom materials. - The brand will keep pushing its anti-bullying message through National Bullying Prevention Month in October.

The bottom line: - Spookley’s 25th anniversary is part celebration, part seasonal marketing push, and part reminder of a simple message: kindness and acceptance never go out of style.