Best pumpkins for carving

 Connecticut Field Pumpkin

Photo: Rareseeds

Carving pumpkin type, but it's also suitable for cooking and baking. One of the oldest pumpkins around. It's medium to large, round or oblong, bright-orange with moderately ribbed skin and orange flesh.
To buy during the Autumn months at Rareseeds.com.

Rock Star Pumpkin

Photo: Johnny's Selected Seeds

Hybrid. Large, tall, oval-shaped pumpkin hybrid. It has evenly ribbed orange skin and a sturdy handle.
Available in the Fall.
To buy on Johnny's Selected Seeds website.

The Ol Zebs Pumpkin

Photo: Sustainable Seed Company

Heirloom variety. Sometimes round, but usually oblong-shaped. It has a bright-orange, densely ribbed rind and a long, green, sometimes curvy, handle. It weighs up to 30 pounds. It is perfect for carving and decorating purposes, but it's also used to make pies.
Available in the Fall.
You can buy seeds at Sustainable Seed Company website.

Snack Jack Pumpkins

Small (up to 2 and a half pounds). They're tall, oval-shaped, often with very sturdy, visible handle. Their rind is bright-orange with slight or no ribbing. They are often used for painting. Their seeds are hull-less (their seed coat is very thin) which makes them great for roasting.

Harvested in the Fall.
I couldn't find a seed seller.

Learn more about different pumpkin types: