Rise of the Jack O’Lantern Festival: Over 5,000 Pumpkins

Corn mazes, pumpkin picking, and costumes… oh my! There are so many festivities and activities to help get people into the fall spirit, including one of my favorite holidays… Halloween!

One of the many traditions of the fall season has been pumpkin picking and carving. What started as carved potatoes based on an Irish myth, soon made its way over to America and into pumpkins. Now, every year millions of people pick and carve pumpkins to display out in front of their houses or in the community! More and more people have been getting creative with their pumpkin carvings and turning them into pumpkin sculptures!

The famous Rise of the Jack O’Lantern festival is in Old Westbury, New York. Over 5,000 pumpkins line the trail at Old Westbury Gardens, totaling 20,000 each fall. Don’t miss it!

Where to Purchase Tickets

Tickets start at around $25 dollars online or around $28 at the door, however these prices change every season. To accommodate the large popularity of the event, tickets are sold for different entry times. I highly suggest purchasing your ticket(s) ahead of time, as this event sells out on a lot of nights. Purchasing tickets ahead of time saves the disappointment of getting turned away at the door, saves money, and ensures that you will be able to experience this great event.

What to Expect

There is on-site parking at the gardens in front of the main entrance to the event, which is usually a big pop-up white tent. Once inside, you can purchase souvenirs, food, and even cool light up/glow-in-the-dark gadgets. To help organize the large crowd of people entering the trail, there are separate lines for the current ticket time, the next ticket time, and people just hanging out. So make sure to watch for the signs directing you to which line to stand in.

Once you enter, there will be pumpkins on both sides of the trail. Crowd traffic flows in one direction, so explore pumpkins on both sides as there’s no going back. The trail showcases various themes, including Disney, classic Jack O’Lanterns, characters, and more! Around halfway, you can buy snacks like cider and donuts. Further along, watch pumpkin artists carving the ones on the trail!

There are both carved and non-carved pumpkins available for purchase, as well as the ability to order your own designed pumpkin. Make sure you order ahead of time, because it’s usually a long process for carving. Towards the end, you will get to view the pumpkins and Halloween directions near the main building, mini forest, and pond on the garden’s property. The end of the trail is near the back of the parking lot where you entered, across from the white tent.

What to Expect Inside the Rise of the Jack O’Lantern Festival

Inside the event, you’re allowed to go at your own pace and take as long as you want/need! Most visitors spend 60-90 minutes on the trail, enjoying the pumpkins and watching the artists at work, a unique sight on a Jack O’Lantern trail! Remember, the trail is one-way, so capture photos and videos of pumpkins on both sides of the walkway.

The Rise of the Jack O’ Lantern Festival does an amazing job of displaying carved pumpkins in a unique, memorable fashion. Every time I attend the festival, my camera is filled with pictures and videos of the beautifully carved pumpkins. It has now become a part of one of my family’s favorite Halloween traditions.

Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing glow of the Rise of the Jack O’Lantern Festival. With its breathtaking display of intricately carved pumpkins and festive atmosphere, this event promises an unforgettable Halloween experience for all. Don’t miss out on the enchantment that awaits you at the Rise of the Jack O’Lantern Festival. The Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is for sure to get you into the Halloween spirit. Be sure to visit the official website for more information and tickets!