Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular 2026 at the Minnesota Zoo
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo is returning in a big way in 2026! One of our very favorite Halloween Events, Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, kicks off September 25th and runs through November 1st, 2026. Expect thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, the work of some seriously talented artists, and a whole lot of fall fun.
The Experience
The magic starts the second you walk through the gates. This year’s route is bigger, with fresh activities out on the plaza and even more room to take in the glow. You’ll wind your way down a wooded trail lined with carved pumpkins and lit-up displays, and if this is your first year, welcome. If it’s your family’s yearly tradition, you already know there’s a new surprise waiting around every bend.
Here’s the fun twist for 2026: the trail is a trivia game. Questions pop up as you walk, and the pumpkins are your answer choices. Can you spot the right one? The artists built in clues for the kids and a few that only the grown-ups will catch, so everyone’s in on the guessing.
September 25 – November 1, 2026
This seasonal event is for people of all ages. The entire Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular experience is outdoors and involves considerable walking, so guests should dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable footwear. There are concession stands along the way providing hot chocolate, cider, caramel apples, and other treats!
Animal viewing is available in Discovery Bay
Ticketing and Event Schedule
September 25 – November 1, 2026
This one glows for a limited run each fall, and it sells out every single year. Buy online ahead of time, since tickets only work for the exact date and time you pick. Kids 2 and under get in free, and all sales are final.
Adult tickets run $ 23- $ 30, kids are $ 19- $ 26, and parking is $10 per car for non-members. Members save $3-$4 on general admission. (Join today and your discount kicks in right away!)
Location: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Boulevard – Apple Valley, MN
Arrival: Your ticket time is your trail entry time, not your arrival time. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes to park, check in, grab a snack, and enjoy the activities in Central Plaza before you reach the trailhead.
Priority Pumpkin Pass: Want to skip the line? The Priority Pumpkin Pass gets you faster entry plus all-night access to the trail, so you can loop back for a second look. Only 100 go out per night, each pass covers one person, and it’s not offered on the 18+ nights.
Group tickets: Rolling with 15 or more? Group tickets are on sale now! Email sales@mnzoo.org for pricing and packages.
Adult Nights: All Treats, No Tykes
Some nights, the pumpkins are just for the grown-ups. Round up your friends for a kid-free evening of glowing gourds and good company. There are three 18+ nights this year, each with its own flavor. Tickets are $45 per adult, parking is $10 per car for non-members, and members save $5 per ticket.
- September 25 | Oktoberfest at the Farm. Say hi to the farm animals, grab a draft, dig into German fare, and dance to a live polka band before you head for the trail. Start at the Farm (doors 5 pm, event 6 pm), or head straight to the pumpkins (8:30 – 10:00 p.m. options).
- October 7 | A Night of Trivia with Trivia Mafia. Bring your sharpest friends and take on a round of tricky, oddball questions. Kick off with trivia (doors 5 pm, trivia 6 pm), or skip ahead to the pumpkins (8:30 – 10:00 p.m. options).
- October 31 | Halloween Night. Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, and the pumpkins saved their best for last. Costumes are welcome but optional, though the little goblins will have to sit this one out.
Location
Minnesota Zoo: 13000 Zoo Boulevard – Apple Valley, MN
Personalized Pumpkins
Dreaming up a proposal they’ll never forget? A birthday surprise that outshines the candles? A loved one’s name flickering in the dark? Order a custom jack-o-lantern carved by a pro with your own message or image, then watch it glow on the trail all night. It’s yours to bring home when you go, and the price covers admission for two. (No corporate logos, sorry.)
Put your request in at least 10 business days ahead so there’s time to carve it.
Seasonal Eats & Treats
Show up hungry. The menu leans into fall with warm comfort food, sweet treats, and drinks worth lingering over, all easy to grab before or after your trail walk.
New this year are the Banshee’s Irish Spice Bag and the Ghostly Inferno Burger, both worth the splurge if you like a little heat. The regulars are still around too: burgers, Chicago-style dogs, cheese curds, loaded tots, and warm Bavarian pretzels. For dessert, look for White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies, Pumpkin Swirl Cake, kettle corn, and s’mores kits. Keep an eye out for the menu icons flagging vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free picks all over the event.
To stay warm, order up one of the signature Potions like the Harvest Moon Hot Chocolate or the Firelight Cider, both served in souvenir cups you can refill. The 21+ crowd can spike a drink with apricot brandy, cinnamon whisky, or Irish crème, and beer, seltzers, and cocktails are on hand at select spots.
Accessibility & What to Expect
This is an outdoor event that happens rain or shine, so peek at the forecast and dress for the night ahead. The trail is full of glowing pumpkins, shifting colored lights, and fog, with music and amplified sound throughout (bring ear protection if loud noise is a lot for anyone in your group). It’s about a 10-minute walk from Celebration Plaza to the trail entrance, and the trail itself takes 40–50 minutes. Expect uneven ground, some hills, and one notable incline along the way.
Guests using mobility devices can absolutely enjoy the trail. Standard wheelchairs, extended-size wheelchairs, and motorized ECVs are available to rent first-come, first-served at the Guest Services Desk just inside the Zoo entrance.
Grab your people and come wander the glow. Thousands of carved pumpkins are waiting!
