Autumn nights at the Minnesota Zoo are glowing. The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is back, turning the zoo’s woodsy trail into a nighttime wonderland of more than 5,000 illuminated, artistically carved pumpkins, September 25 through November 1, 2026.
The pumpkins are designed by Passion for Pumpkins and carved together with local Minnesota artists, and this year’s experience features an expanded route plus new experiences on the plaza — more space to explore and even better views of the thousands of glowing jack-o’-lanterns. The pumpkin trail is about a quarter-mile long and takes 40 to 50 minutes to stroll, with cozy fall treats, spirited sips, music, colorful lights, and fog along the way. It is an outdoor experience that runs rain or shine.
Plan your visit
- When: September 25 – November 1, 2026. Tickets sell out every year, so book early — especially for weekends and Halloween.
- Tickets: $23–$30 for adults, $19–$26 for children, plus $10 parking per car for non-members. All tickets must be purchased online in advance.
- Members save: $3–$4 off general admission tickets.
- Adult nights (18+): September 25, October 7, and October 31 — including Halloween night itself, with festive drinks on the trail. $45 per adult.
- Getting there: the Minnesota Zoo is in Apple Valley, about 20 minutes south of Minneapolis. Allow extra time on busy nights.
Here is how it works: your ticket time is your wristband time. At check-in each guest receives a wristband matching the entry time selected at purchase, then heads to the Pumpkin Plaza and the Jack-O-Lantern Trail. Note that the animal viewing areas (except Discovery Bay until 8 p.m.) are closed during the event — the night belongs entirely to the pumpkins.
Beyond the spectacle, the event carries a meaningful purpose: by joining the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, visitors directly support the Minnesota Zoo and its mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. It is family fun with a conservation heartbeat — and a reminder that the zoo, a state treasure in Apple Valley, does remarkable work for species around the globe.
One more reason to plan ahead: the event is entirely ticketed with timed entry, so weekend and Halloween-night slots routinely sell out weeks in advance. If your first-choice date is gone, weeknights offer the same glowing trail with shorter waits — a local insider move worth considering.
Costumes are welcome (leave full-face masks and prop weapons at home), and a Priority Pumpkin Pass add-on offers expedited entry plus unlimited trail access all evening. Happy City News tip: arrive at your wristband time sharp, dress for the weather, and bring the kids before 8 p.m. so they can also peek at Discovery Bay. Buy tickets and read the FAQs on the Minnesota Zoo’s official page.
