Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

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.

For questions, please contact visitorservices@rwpzoo.org.

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. Please note: Guests must be in line by 7:45 pm.

• • Fairy Tale Nights – Tuesdays, October 11 & 18
    •  Meet and take photos with your favorite fairy tale princesses and princes.
  • ​Superhero Nights – Wednesdays, October 12 & 19
    • Meet and take photos with your favorite superhero characters.

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.

• Dates: Tuesday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 26
• 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 2-12); toddlers 1 and under are always free. 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.

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, 2022) are not permitted.

Spot the red panda for a chance to win a Family Zoo membership! Our mascot is hiding on Zoo grounds and it’s up to you to find him. Snap a photo with Roger and tag the Zoo on Instagram using hashtag #WheresRoger.

This contest is made possible thanks to Citizens.

One (1) winner will be selected at random each week, September 30 – October 28, 2022.

PLEASE NOTE: We generally hold the line until it begins to get dark.

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.

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.

Guests can save $1 per ticket when they order at least 25 paid tickets in a single order!  The discount is available Sunday – Friday nights, but ticket supply is limited- popular nights will sell out quickly, so order ahead to lock in your place!

• Ready to buy? Add at least 25 paid Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular tickets to your cart, then advance to the next screen.  The group discount will automatically apply!  Tickets are emailed shortly after purchase.
• Be sure to use accurate counts – all sales are final.
• NEW: Group e-tickets must be purchased in advance online (Please keep in mind that the group rate discount will automatically apply once you proceed to the checkout page).  Bulk orders of 100+ tickets will require mailing and may be subject to additional fees.  For more information, please contact gsales@rwpzoo.org.

Please note: We highly encourage any groups with buses contact the Zoo prior to your visit so we can plan parking in advance. Call 401-785-3510 ext.338 or email us at gsales@rwpzoo.org.

The Zoo has free nightly parking, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional parking is available on the street in Roger Williams Park.

Please make sure to take valuables with you when exiting your vehicles or store them out of sight.

We also offer OPTIONAL premium parking for $15 per car. This will be available nightly in the lot closest to the show entrance and exit gates. Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: We highly encourage any groups with buses contact the Zoo prior to your visit so we can plan parking in advance. Call 401-785-3510 ext.338 or email us at gsales@rwpzoo.org.

YES.  We 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.

Wheelchairs and strollers are available at the rental kiosk located at the main entrance or online in advance. One and two seat strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $7 (single stroller) and $9 (double stroller). Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $7.

An EZ Cart (automated wheelchair) is also available for rental by reservation. They are available for $27 each at rental area near the zoo’s main entrance on a first-come, first-served basis or with an online reservation.

Click HERE to reserve a stroller or wheelchair >

This seasonal art show aims to delight and amaze, not to scare anyone. Children who are sensitive to a lot of visual and sound stimulus might not be comfortable. In addition, it is highly likely that you will spend some time in line getting to the start of the pumpkin trail. Only you know if this is suitable for your child.

Yes! Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate, hot apple cider, fried dough, fried oreos, turkey legs, hot dogs, a variety of snacks and beers, and so much more.

We also accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.

No, combination Zoo entry and Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular tickets are not available. However, we do offer a combination package offering guests one of our popular Insider Tours in addition to Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular admission. Visit https://www.rwpzoo.org/insider-tours for more information.

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.

Guests may use strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons on the exhibit trail. The trail is fully accessible.

There is no smoking anywhere in the Zoo at any time. Further, per the City of Providence, the entire Roger Williams Park and Roger Williams Park Zoo are smoke free. We do not allow e-cigarettes.

Unfortunately, no. We do not have access to the membership database during the evenings. Members must have their e-cards and another form of ID with them in order to receive the Member discount.

The member discount applies to those on your membership and nobody else.

Passion for Pumpkins from Oxford, MA designs the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, and carves the over 5,000 illuminated pumpkins you see on the Wetlands Trail.   Founded by John Reckner, Passion for Pumpkins is a professional multi-media company run by the Reckner family and close friends.  Passion for Pumpkins produces shows around the country.

They keep carving and enhancing the displays throughout the life of the show. The carvers expect to go through about 20,000 pumpkins during the course of the 32-night run.

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.

115,000 – 140,000 people annually.

Refunds/changes to your order requested after the last day of the show (October 31, 2022) are not permitted.

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!!