Thank you for a great 2019! See you again October 2020.
Travel through a seasonal wonderland! Celebrate the wonders of New England and all its glory and magic at the nationally acclaimed Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular presented by Citizens Bank at Roger Williams Park Zoo. Feast your senses on autumn’s beauty, winter’s swirling snow, spring’s first blossoms and summer’s ocean breezes intricately carved on thousands of pumpkins displayed along the Zoo’s beautiful Wetlands Trail. Follow the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular on Facebook and Instagram. Trail open 6:00 – 10:30 pm. LAST ENTRY AT 10:00 PM. GATES CLOSE AT 10:00 PM.
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is open rain or shine. NO REFUNDS OR RESCHEDULING. Read below for details on pricing, parking, and our weather and membership policies.
Riders see out over Providence and into Narragansett Bay in comfortable side-by-side seats. The Soaring Eagle Zip Ride is open every night during the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - weather permitting. Restrictions apply (full details below).
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Pricing:
- Prime Nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday): Available for purchase ONLINE ONLY and timed ticket entry requires pre-registration.
- Adult $18; child $15 (ages 2-12) | Current RWP Zoo members save $2 off adult and $1 off child tickets.
- Trail open 6:00 – 10:30 pm. LAST ENTRY AT 10:00 PM. GATES CLOSE AT 10:00 PM
- Children one and younger are always admitted free.
- Value Nights (Monday through Thursday): Sold online and at Zoo admissions.
- Adult $15, child $12 (ages 2-12) | Current RWP Zoo members save $2 off adult and $1 off child tickets.
- Trail open 6:00 - 10:30 pm. LAST ENTRY 10:00 PM. GATES CLOSE AT 10:00 PM.
- Children one and younger are always admitted free.
- AAA Member Discount (Tuesdays): Available for purchase at Zoo admissions ONLY.
- Current AAA members save $2 off adult and $1 off child tickets. (limit of two adults and two children)
- To receive the AAA discount, tickets must be purchased in-person and members must show a valid AAA membership card and a matching photo I.D.
- RWP Zoo Membership Discount:
- To receive the member discount for online tickets, all members must log into their RWPZoo online member account and the discount will automatically apply at checkout.
- Value Night ticket attendees may also purchase discounted member tickets in-person with a valid RWPZ membership e-card and matching photo I.D.
- Reciprocal memberships do not apply.
Group Savings:
- Host a Private Event: We offer the opportunity for organizations to host private events Sunday through Friday nights during our Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. No matter how big or small the event, we can provide you with an exciting evening. For more information please contact: gsales@rwpzoo.org.
- Purchase Discounted Tickets: Group discounts are available to parties with 25 or more paying guests. These discounts are available exclusively on Value Night tickets (Monday through Thursday evenings only). For more information please contact gsales@rwpzoo.org.
NOTE: There is NO military discount available for JOLS tickets. A military discount is only available on daytime regular Zoo admission.
To take part in the evening Soaring Eagle Zip Ride experience, all riders must also purchase a same-night Jack-O-Lantern ticket. Tickets for the Soaring Eagle are ONLY available at the admissions gate. If Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular tickets were purchased online, the ticket must be shown at admissions window in order to purchase Soaring Eagle tickets. Guests will enter the ride at the end of the pumpkin trail.
Please note: Open all seven nights of the week - weather permitting – will not operate in heavy rain and/or high winds.
Pricing:
- $15 per rider | $13 for current RWP Zoo members
- Tickets are on a first come first served basis
- 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!
Important Information:
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.
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 scenes from New England's beautiful four seasons - winter, spring, summer and autumn.
Dates: Thursday, October 31 - Sunday, November 3
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Pricing: Tickets are available for purchase in person ONLY at the Zoo's admissions booth. Ticket prices are $15 for adults; $12 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.
Join us for Family Fun Nights that have special themes for the whole family. Enjoy music, costumed characters and so much more. All events are 6:00 – 8:00 pm and are included in the price of your Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular ticket.
Fairy Tale Nights
*RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, October 22 and Tuesday, October 29
Meet and take photos with princesses, princes and other costumed characters.
Video Game Nights
Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17
See the real Batmobile and meet some costumed video game characters. Come as your favorite character.
Super Hero Nights
Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24
You never know who might show up at the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Could be the Ghostbusters with their famous vehicle or Black Panther, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider Man, and the gang. Take a photo and find out how they all save the world.
Parking is free, but we are offering OPTIONAL premium parking for $10 per car nightly in the lot next to the show entrance and exit gates. This is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
We also offer handicap parking in Lots A and B. If the spots are not available, drivers may drive up to the Zoo entrance and drop off passengers. As always, please listen to the parking attendants who are throughout the parking lots.
Important tip: Traffic coming off Route 95 at Exit 16 (Rt. 95 heading north) and Exit 17 (Rt. 95 heading south) can be heavy and slow from 5:00 - 8:00 pm on these nights.
Parking Tips to make your visit enjoyable and safe.
DIRECTIONS:
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."
For travelers coming from the north and east of Providence, head south on Route 95 and take RI exit 17. At the stop light, take a left. At the next stoplight, turn right for a jug handle turn that will take you into Roger Williams Park. Follow signs to the Zoo entrance.
From points South of Providence, take Route 95 heading north. Take exit 16 and bear right at the split. At the bottom of the ramp, take a left onto Elmwood Ave then shortly take a right into the Roger Williams Park. Follow signs to the Zoo entrance.
From Route 10 South - take the Elmwood Ave Exit. At the stop light at the bottom of the ramp, take a left onto Elmwood Ave. Take a right into the Roger Williams Park. Follow signs to the Zoo entrance.
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 and Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, please contact info@rwpzoo.org. We look forward to seeing you!!
If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the 2019 Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, please contact Judy Lockard at Jlockard@rwpzoo.org or call (401) 785-3510 ext. 318.
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. If the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is open during heavy rain, and the Trail is difficult to navigate on a Prime Night (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) we will NOT reimburse guests who purchase a timed entry ticket. Those guests may attend any Value Night (Monday-Thursday) with their same tickets.
- Please note: Refunds/changes to your order requested after the last day of the show (November 3, 2019) 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.
- Value Night ticket attendees may also purchase discounted member tickets in-person with a valid RWPZ membership e-card and matching photo I.D.
- Reciprocal memberships do not apply.
- Member discounts are ONLY VALID for the number of people that are covered by the membership.
Coming from afar? Take advantage of the Radisson Hotel's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Package using Discount Code: JACKRW!
Stay at Radisson Hotel Providence Airport and enjoy all the great accommodations and amenities they have to offer! Book this Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular package and enjoy:
- Overnight room for up to four people
- Four passes to Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
- Complimentary parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- and more!
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 closed for the season. If you would like to volunteer for next year’s event please know that we would be happy to have you help! All opportunities to volunteer for special events are closed through this year.
If you would like to be considered to volunteer for Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular for next year and/or any other events please contact volunteer@rwpzoo.org.