Head to the Minnesota Zoo for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Friday, September 25th through Sunday, November 1st to see over 5,000 carved pumpkins on the pumpkin trail!
Visiting the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo has become our favorite Halloween tradition! It’s a fun family outing or date night and each year is just a little more magical than the last.
Whether you’re a first time visitor or a repeat fan, grab your friends and family and snag tickets to this year’s event before they sell out!
Now in its eighth year, the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is a nighttime stroll along a newly expanded woodsy trail at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, lit by more than 5,000 glowing carved pumpkins.
About 100 of them are intricate artist-designed pumpkins on display each night. The pumpkins are sourced locally in Minnesota and rotated in and out throughout the run of the event, so even repeat visitors can discover new favorites. The fun starts the moment you arrive, with even more experiences on the plaza this year.
NEW for 2026: Trivia comes to the trail! Pumpkins hold the answers to questions along the path, but it’s up to you to figure out which gourd got it right. With questions for a wide range of ages and interests, the whole family can play along as the trail leads you to see over 5,000 illuminated and carved pumpkins on the walkable trail.
This year’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular features an expanded, one-way walking route. It’s designed to give you more space and even better views of the pumpkins. Most of the animals at the Minnesota Zoo will be off limits during this event, but to get even more out of your ticket, snag an earlier trail time and visit the animals in the Discovery Bay before the viewing area closes nightly at 8pm.
Tickets are available to purchase on the Minnesota Zoo website and must be bought online in advance. They’re valid only for your selected date and time, and you should plan to arrive 30 minutes before your trail time. Tickets range from $23–$30 for adults and $19–$26 for children and adults 65+, and kids ages 0–2 are free.
Minnesota Zoo members receive $3–$4 off admission. Nonmember parking is $10 per car. Priority Pumpkin Passes are also available for an additional cost and include expedited entry and unlimited trail access throughout the evening.
Did you know you can customize your own pumpkin with a carved message or image? You can order a professionally carved pumpkin to be put on display for all to see and take it home at the end of your visit!
Visit the Minnesota Zoo website to learn more on how to order your own pumpkin carving. Please note 10 business days are required in advance when ordering a customized pumpkin carving.
My Favorite Pumpkins This Year
Every year I find a few pumpkins I could stare at all night, and 2026 was no exception! The pumpkins featuring animals from the zoo are gorgeous, especially the lion and the panda. I also loved spotting favorite storybooks carved into glowing gourds, including Mercer Mayer’s Just Go to Bed and Where the Wild Things Are.
Pop culture fans, you’re in for a treat. Keep an eye out for Bob Ross, Dolly Parton, I Love Lucy and, of course, Prince. Since the artist pumpkins rotate throughout the season, you might find a whole new set of favorites on your visit!
Seasonal Food and Drinks
Grab a seasonal treat before or after the trail! Warm up with Harvest Moon Hot Chocolate or Firelight Cider, or try one of this year’s new menu items. The Banshee’s Irish Spice Bag is loaded with chicken, tots, peppers and onions tossed in five-spice with curry sauce.
Want some haunted heat? The Ghostly Inferno Burger is topped with ghost pepper cheddar, raspberry serrano jam, potato strings and herb aioli. Classics like hot dogs, cheese curds, pretzels and desserts are available too, along with potions for the 21+ crowd.
Adult-Only Halloween Night
Looking for more treats without the tykes? The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular features three adult-only (18+) nights this season, and the last one is Halloween Night on October 31. You can enjoy thousands of glowing jack-o-lanterns, festive drinks and a spooky-season atmosphere. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Adult night tickets are $45, or $40 for members.
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Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.
Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.
Mary Coleman says
Is this event accessible for people who are in a power chair and can’t walk at alll.
Chrysa says
Hi, Mary. Here is info from the zoo about accessiblity:
Accessibility at Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular:
Jack-0-Lantern Spectacular is an outdoor, nighttime event that runs rain or shine; please dress for the weather. There are special effects such as music, colorful lights, and fog throughout the experience.
From Celebration Plaza, it is about a 10-minute walk (1/4 mile) on varying terrain to the start of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular pumpkin trail. The pumpkin trail is an additional 1/4-mile long which takes about 40 – 50 minutes to travel. Wait time to enter may vary depending on attendance.
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular trail is accessible to guests using mobility assistive devices , but there are elevation changes and a considerable incline along the path.
Mobility devices — standard wheelchairs, extended-size wheelchairs, and motorized ECVs —are available to rent on a first-come basis at Guest Services Desk.
Strollers and wagons are welcome.
Learn more about the Minnesota Zoo’s accessibility.