Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Roger Williams Park Zoo (RWPZ) management will close the event if there is a threat of severe weather. Please call in advance, check the website or visit Facebook for updates.

Only when RWPZ cancels the show, patrons who purchased advance tickets will be reimbursed or may come another evening.  In this case, ticket holders will be able to change their reservation date by contacting Guest Services at info@rwpzoo.org or by calling 401-785-3510 ext 316. Please call ahead to check time slot availability.

If the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is open during rain, and the trail is not difficult to navigate we will NOT reimburse guests who purchase a timed entry ticket.

Please note: Refunds/changes to your order requested after the last day of the show (November 2, 2026) are not permitted.

The Zoo offers FREE on-site parking. Because the capacity within the zoo differs from the capacity of our parking lots, parking availability is not guaranteed. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis and during our higher attended nights, the lots fill quickly. When onsite parking is unavailable, a parking attendant will direct you to park within the greater Roger Williams Park. See below for alternate parking options. Please make sure to take valuables with you when exiting your vehicle or store them out of sight.

Handicap Parking: Guests needing handicap parking will be directed to available handicap spots by parking attendants. If all spots are full, parking attendants will direct drivers to pull up to the entry plaza to drop off passengers. The driver will then park and join their guests at the entry plaza. Please listen to the parking attendants located throughout the parking lots.

NEW! Park Shuttle Services on Select Nights: For guests wishing to bypass traffic OR those who have been redirected by a parking attendant away from the Zoo’s onsite parking, we ask that drivers park within the greater Roger Williams Park. FREE Shuttle Services are being made available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for our guests’ convenience. Access the shuttle location map HERE to continue planning your visit!

OPTIONAL Paid Premium Parking: For guests wanting to park in the lot closest to the Zoo’s entrance and exit, premium parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon entering the Zoo’s onsite parking area, attendants will direct interested drivers to the payment station. Premium Parking is $15 per car. Cash, credit card, and tap to pay are accepted.

Bus Parking: Buses will be accommodated within our onsite parking lot as parking availability allows. When onsite parking is unavailable, a parking attendant will ask buses to unload guests and park within the greater Roger Williams Park. For additional bus information, please reach out to our Group Sales Department at GSales@rwpzoo.org with your purchased ticket order number, arrival time, group name, and estimated number of buses.

Join us for an exclusive Members-Only Preview Night on Thursday, October 1 from 6:00 – 10:30 pm to be among the first to walk the pumpkin trail and see thousands of hand-carved pumpkins glow at night—all before the event opens to the public!

RWPZoo members can enjoy the lowest price of the season, just $14 per ticket! Plus, enjoy live music from the Unlikely Strummers and special giveaways from Citizens (while supplies last)!

This exclusive discount is available for this night only, valid for current RWPZoo members only and tickets must be purchased in advance. Children under 1 are free. To purchase your tickets and receive your discount, be sure to log into your Zoo membership account. Discount will automatically be applied.

Enjoy meet & greets with your favorite costumed characters before hopping on the pumpkin trail on October 6 and 7.

• Tuesday, October 6: Famous mouse & goofy pals, toy cowboy and space ranger

• Wednesday, October 7: Fairytale Royalty & Superhero Favorites

This event is 6:00 – 8:00 pm and included with the price of your Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular ticket. Guests must be in line by 7:45 pm. All tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Purchase JOLS Family Night Tickets>

Teachers will receive $5 off one admission ticket (Valid October 5th only), tickets cannot be purchased online and must be purchased upon arrival. Proof of eligibility may be presented as either a valid school ID badge or a current pay stub. Please pre-purchase all additional tickets for those in your party.

Active-duty and retired military personnel will receive $5 off one admission ticket (Valid October 6th only), tickets cannot be purchased online and must be purchased upon arrival. A valid military ID is required. Please pre-purchase all additional tickets for those in your party.

Citizen’s customers unlock exclusive early entry to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular every Thursday in October (8, 15, 22, & 29)! Simply purchase your standard 6:00 PM time slot tickets online in advance, then present your Citizens card or other proof that you are a customer at the gate for early 5:30 pm admission. Enjoy beating the crowds and beating the twilight rush as a privileged VIP guest.

Get ready for one last night of spooky fun! It is your final chance to see the thousands of glowing pumpkins, and this time, it’s just for adults. Leave the kids (and the strollers!) at home and enjoy an exclusive 21+ night out.

Purchase Adults Only Night Tickets >

Join us October 20 and 21 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm for a special sensory-friendly Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular an hour before the trail opens to the public: designed those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and sensory processing differences and their families. For maximum enjoyment, the over 5000 pumpkins will light up the Zoo’s Wetlands Trail, but there will be no music or special effects.

Please note: Tickets for this sensory-friendly hour are available for purchase in-person ONLY at the Zoo’s admissions booth the evening of the event.

Step into a VR action-packed adventure through the world’s creepiest funfair – only available during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular! (Recommended for ages 12 and up!)

Purchase Evening VR Experience Tickets >

Pricing:

• $8 per rider
• $6 for current RWP Zoo members

Please Note: VR experience tickets are available online only and do not include admission to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, a separate ticket is required. The ride is open nightly during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, weather permitting, with the last ride at 10pm. The experience lasts for approximately 5 minutes.

Prime Nights – Friday, Saturday and Sunday: Timed entry significantly reduces the time needed to get to the Zoo and Park on weekends. Once we scan tickets, visitors enter the line leading from admissions to the start of the pumpkin trail. Generally, this line takes about 30 minutes.

Value Nights – Monday through Thursday:  These nights are not as busy particularly after 7:30 pm.

Current RWPZoo members receive a special discount of $2 off adult tickets and $1 off child tickets. You must be logged into your Zoo membership account to receive the member discount. The discount only applies to the number of guests covered under your membership benefits.

1. Sign in to your member account at the top-right of this page.

2. If registering for the first time, enter the information EXACTLY as it appears on your Zoo member record, or you may not receive your discount.

3. Proceed with the transaction and add to cart. If the discount doesn’t apply, please contact  Membership@rwpzoo.org  (Please note: the Membership Department is open Monday-Friday 9 AM – 4 PM, so please plan your purchases accordingly.)

Guests may use strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons on the exhibit trail. The trail is fully accessible, though it does include uneven or unpaved terrain.

Need to rent a stroller/wheelchair? Rentals are available at Basecamp located at the main entrance. One and two seat strollers are available for $7 (single stroller) and $9 (double stroller). Manual wheelchairs are available for $7. ECVs (electronic conveyance vehicles) are also available for $27 each.

If you have any questions about stroller, wheelchair and ECV rentals, please contact our team at 401-785-3510 ext. 391.

Yes! Enjoy a delicious variety of snacks and beverages. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.

We do not allow flash photography, tripods, monopods or selfie sticks as a courtesy and safety measure. Otherwise, yes, you may take pictures as long as you do not impede viewing or the flow of traffic on the trail.

Only service dogs are allowed on grounds during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular shows, as outlined by the ADA standards. For the safety and well-being of our guests as well as our animals, pets, emotional support and therapy animals are not allowed inside the Zoo.

We do not offer refunds unless the event is closed due to hazardous weather conditions. Refund requests for event nights that are canceled are not permitted after the last night of the show, November 2, 2025.

Located just 50 minutes from Boston, 60 minutes from New London, CT and 90 minutes from Hartford with easy access off Interstate 95.  GPS users, enter address “1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence RI.”

Once inside the entrance of Roger Williams Park, follow signs for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular to the Zoo.

An additional option is to enter the Park at Broad Street and Hawthorne Avenue in Providence. This may be a better option on busy nights. Use your GPS to determine the best route.

IMPORTANT – SOME OF THE ROADWAYS INSIDE ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ARE ONE-WAY.  PLEASE OBSERVE ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND SIGNS.

If you have additional questions about the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, please contact info@rwpzoo.org.  We look forward to seeing you!!