Returns fall 2022! Stay-tuned for more details.
It's music to our ears as the nationally acclaimed walk-through Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo is back and better than ever. Presented by Citizens, this year's spectacular takes you from Joplin to Jay-Z, as we celebrate the greatest music from the last 150 years. Stroll, or dance your way, past thousands of intricately carved pumpkins displayed while listening to the soundtracks from 1860's through today. Feast your senses on Rhode Island’s biggest and greatest pumpkin spectacular!
Follow the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular on Facebook and Instagram. Trail open 6:00 – 10:30 pm. LAST ENTRY AT 10:00 PM.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is open rain or shine. NO REFUNDS OR RESCHEDULING. All tickets must be purchased online in advance. Read below for details on pricing, parking, and our weather and membership policies.
If you have questions regarding Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, please contact visitorservices@rwpzoo.org.
Soar through the night sky, gliding 115 feet above ground, in the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride! This ride is exclusively open to same-night Jack-o-Lantern ticketholders! Be prepared to show your same-night ticket at the window before you can buy ride admission. Tickets sold at the Greenhouse and riders will participate after they finish exploring the pumpkin trail.
Pricing: $15 per rider | $13 for current RWP Zoo members
- Sold on-site, rides are first-come, first-served (no advanced registration)
- Open nightly, weather-permitting
Please Note:
- No advanced reservations accepted.
- Between 6 – 9:30 pm, only 40 tickets sold each hour for this exciting ride. Soar over the Zoo with a beautiful nighttime view of the area!
- Riding the Soaring Eagle is at the discretion of the ride operator. Soaring Eagle restrictions include:
- Minimum height of 42 inches (3.5 feet).
- Maximum combined weight of 450 lbs, single rider maximum weight of 300 lbs.
- We strongly recommend that anyone with a heart condition, prosthetics, neck or back injuries or who is pregnant NOT ride the Soaring Eagle.
- We remind patrons that you ride at your own risk. The employees, management, and owners of the Rhode Island Zoological Society/Roger Williams Park Zoo are not responsible for any accidents or injuries that may occur.
- We expect all patrons to listen to instructions given by Soaring Eagle operator, and to read any posted instructions.
- This ride has more specific weather limitations and may close even if the trail remains open. For safety, this ride doesn’t operate in high winds, heavy rains, or thunderstorms.
Join us 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 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm.
For maximum enjoyment, the over 5000 pumpkins will light up the Zoo’s Wetlands Trail, but there will be no music or special effects. This year’s highlights include intricately carved pumpkins with celebrating 150 years of American music!
Dates: Tuesday, October 26 and Wednesday, October 27
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Pricing: Tickets are available for purchase in person ONLY at the Zoo's admissions booth. Ticket prices are $16 for adults; $13 for children ages two – twelve. Children one and under are free, but still need a ticket. Roger Williams Park Zoo members save $2 off adult and $1 off child tickets. Members must present a current Roger Williams Park Zoo membership card and another form of matching photo I.D. Reciprocal memberships are not eligible for this member discount.
Please note: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is open rain or shine. In the case of light to moderate rain, the show will be open. There will be no refunds or rescheduling.
Family Fun Nights have special themes for the whole family. Enjoy meet & greets with your favorite costumed characters before hopping on the pumpkin trail. All events are 6:00 – 8:00 pm and included in the price of the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular ticket.
Fairy Tale Nights
- Tuesdays October 12 & 19 - Meet and take photos with your favorite fairy tale princesses and princes.
Superhero Nights
- Wednesdays October 13 & 20 - Meet and take photos with your favorite superhero characters.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is open rain or shine. There will be no refunds or rescheduling.
- Roger Williams Park Zoo (RWPZ) management will close the event if there is a threat of heavy rain and high winds. Only when RWPZ cancels the show, patrons who purchased advance tickets will be reimbursed or may come another evening. Please call in advance, check the website or visit Facebook for updates. In the event of severe weather, we reserve the right to cancel. In this case, ticket holders will be able to change their reservation date by contacting Visitor Services at visitorservices@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 heavy rain, and the trail is 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 (October 31, 2021) are not permitted.
Active Roger Williams Park Zoo members save $2 off adult and $1 off child tickets nightly for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular.
- To receive the member discount for online tickets, all members must log into their online member account and the discount will automatically apply at checkout.
- Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
- Reciprocal memberships do not apply.
- Member discounts are ONLY VALID for the number of people that are covered by the membership.
Roger Williams Park Zoo is transforming for our largest and most successful long-term fundraiser, and each year we ask for volunteers to play a vital role in this month-long event. This fundraising event could not be successful without our volunteers! Volunteers support the event by providing a great customer service experience for the guests enjoying the trail. Volunteer duties may include directing visitors, answering frequently asked questions, and monitoring the trail.
Volunteer opportunities for Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular are open for the season. If you would like to volunteer for this year’s event please know that we would be happy to have you help!
If you would like to be considered to volunteer for Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular please CLICK HERE to learn more >
Spot the red panda! Can you find Roger? Our mascot is hiding on Zoo grounds and it’s up to you to find him. Snap a photo of Roger and tag the Zoo on Instagram using #WheresRoger for a chance to win an Adopt-an-Animal package* of your choosing!
One winner will be chosen at random each Friday beginning October 8 – October 29 and notified within 48 hours.
This giveaway is made possible by:
*Adoption package includes: Animal plush, a frameable animal photo and fun fact sheet, and personalized certificate of adoption.