Membership 
Jack O’Lantern Glow
Jack O’Lantern Glow, presented by Medpace, is back for its third year at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden!
Jack O’ Lantern Glow is an immersive walkthrough experience with more than 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins and fall displays along a half-mile trail in the Zoo, making it the largest of its kind in the Tri-state area! Experience the grandeur of fall at the Cincinnati Zoo, where it transforms into a mesmerizing wonderland of illuminated jack o’lanterns, breathtaking displays, and special effects that elevate your autumn nights to extraordinary heights. The family-friendly event is great for all ages.
Although the jack o’lanterns are the real stars of this event, Reptile House and Night Hunters will be open nightly until 9pm.
*This is a separate ticketed event. Event not included with Zoo membership or regular Zoo admission. The Access For All (EBT/SNAP) discount is not available for this event.
This event is a separate ticketed event and not included with a Zoo Membership. Member discounts for tickets available online.
Event Dates
October 2-31
Closed Monday, October 5, 12 & 19
Open Monday, October 26
Event Start Time:
Open Monday, October 26
5:30pm – 9pm
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
5:30pm – 9pm
- First Timeslot: 6pm
- Last Timeslot: 8:45pm
Thursday – Sunday
5:30pm – 10pm
- First Timeslot: 6pm
- Last Timeslot: 9:45pm
Event Pricing
Ticket prices vary depending on the day and time of the week.
Adult Admission
Price Range: $15 – $25
Child Admission
Price Range: $10 – $20
Member Discounts
$3 – $5 off each general admission ticket
FAQs
Jack O’Lantern Glow is an immersive walkthrough experience with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins and fall displays that light up through a half-mile trail in the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. This event is family-friendly and great for all ages.
The Fast Pass is a fast pass that allows you to enter the trail immediately, without waiting in the queue line. Upon arrival, you will receive a hand stamp. Please show your hand stamp for quick entry once you reach the Fast Pass Trail Entry next to Welcome Center.
Get ready for a spooktacular search! Search high and low for these Jack O’Lantern Glow pumpkins!
Please arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to your entry time slot. After you enter, please enjoy activities in Vine Street Village or enjoy a fall treat or beverage before entering the Jack O’Lantern Glow trail at your scheduled time.
From start to finish is around 1/2 mile. The whole experience will take an average of 35 to 45 minutes to see everything.
Start times vary by sunset to ensure each visitor has the best experience while the Jack O’Lanterns are lit!
Guests who are inside by the time gates close still have access to the trail until 10:15pm.
There are 6,000 jack o’lanterns that are all hand carved and decorated by talented local artists.
- 6,000 carved Jack O’ Lanterns
- Over 7,036 hours carving
- Over 15 local artists carved
- 20+ themes
- Some of the heavy detailed pumpkins can take up to 8 + hours to carve.
No. Jack O’Lantern Glow is for everyone! The themes, effects, and show is geared for all all ages. Have fun! Timed tickets are required for guests aged 3 and older.
Parking is included with your Jack O’Lantern Glow ticket. Parking is located in the Zoo’s Vine Lot at 3427 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45220.
Timed tickets allow guests to enter Jack O’Lantern Glow in a 1-hour time slot. Ticket slots will sell out so purchase early and in advance.
Yes, all members receive discounted admission tickets to Jack O’Lantern Glow.
Not a member? Become a member today.
All tickets must be purchased in advance and online
No. Daytime tickets are different and separate from Jack O’Lantern Glow tickets. All daytime visitors, including members, must purchase a separate ticket in advance to attend the nighttime event.
If you’re visiting the zoo during the day, you will be asked to leave the zoo upon closing at 5pm and wait until your timed entry slot. You’re welcome to wait in the entry area outside of the Zoo’s turnstiles.
Yes! Be ready for a world of selfies! We want you to have fun and take as many as you want. Remember not to impede other guests and no flash photography.
Jack O’Lantern Glow timed tickets are available for purchase online only. All visitors, including members, must reserve a date and time specific ticket in advance. Children under 3 are Free. Tickets are good for one use at the specified date and entry time on the ticket.
Although the jack o’lanterns are the real stars of this event, Reptile House and Night Hunters will be open nightly until 9pm.
No. Only a limited portion of the Zoo is open for Jack O’Lantern Glow.
Although the jack o’lanterns are the real stars of this event, Reptile House and Night Hunters will be open nightly until 9pm.
Animal habitats and some other areas will be closed at normal Zoo operating hours. The trail is one-way only. Please adhere to all posted signs or barriers that block off some pathways as well as one-way paths.
The carousel will be available to ride at an additional cost of $4 per person.
Members with rides packages are able to ride carousel for free.
The train will not be open during the event.
Yes, the event is open rain or shine. In the event of heavy rain, high winds, or other inclement weather, we may cancel the event. Ticket holders will be contacted by the Zoo to reschedule for another operating date. We will make all announcements about the overall event schedule or closures on our website.
Tickets are non-refundable. There are no refunds, cancellations or rescheduling. .If you’d like maximum flexibility, we recommend you purchase a good any day ticket which allows you to come any date and time of your choosing.
Due to capacity restrictions, we must adhere to the ticketing policies which were stated prior to purchase. This includes the terms and conditions acknowledgement that all sales are final and there are no revisions for credit, refund, rescheduling, exchange or cancellation.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any further questions.
Jack O’Lantern Glow is an outdoor event featuring effects such as music, lights, and fog throughout the experience. Wait time to enter the show may vary depending on attendance.
As you’re preparing to visit, please see our Jack O’Lantern Glow Social Narrative
Yes! Dinner is available for purchase at Hops, Tuskers & Jack O’Snacks.
Get into the spooky spirit at Hops with the Black Widow or Blood Moon Flatbreads. For something sweet, grab an oven-roasted S’mores Pretzel or one of our loaded funnel fry options: Graveyard (chocolate mousse, Oreo crumbles, gummy worms and chocolate sauce) or Pumpkin Patch (pumpkin-spiced sugar, fire-roasted apples, caramel sauce, whipped cream and candy pumpkins). We also have a new Halloween popcorn blend served in a light-up souvenir bucket, perfect for trick-or-treating!
Sip on Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate or Mutant Meltdown, a blue raspberry ICEE topped with green cotton candy and served in a souvenir Bloat Float Cup. Both are available non-alcoholic or spiked for guests 21+.
Grown-up ghouls can also enjoy featured fall cocktails at all three locations, including Hocus Pocus Punch (apple cider, cranberry, ginger beer and bourbon) and Spooky Apple Sparkler (Granny Smith apple syrup, caramel drizzle, Starry and vodka), served in a light-up souvenir ghost cup, along with a selection of seasonal beers and cider.
There’s something frightfully delicious for every appetite!
For your safety, please do not touch any of the pumpkin or light displays. Stay on marked pathways and do not wander into planters or display areas.
Jack O’Lantern Glow is an outdoor, rain or shine event, so please dress for the weather. Feel free to dress in your best costume, but please leave full-faced costume masks at home. For more costume guidelines, please check out our Costume Guide.
A limited number of strollers, manual and electric wheelchairs will be available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis at the Ticketing Window.
Restrooms are available in Historic Vine Street Village. On the path, the only restrooms available are at Base Camp Café.
Depending on the time of your ticket, there could be a wait to enter the trail. The line typically moves at a steady pace, but the busiest times are weekends and right at dusk.
No. In order to ensure everyone has a great experience, we ask that you stick to your timed ticket time.
Yes!
Add to the glow this October during Jack O’ Lantern Glow! Visit our gift shop for fun glow-in-the-dark accessories, glowing cotton candy, and themed apparel — perfect for lighting up the night and getting into the festive spirit. Available at all Jack O’ Lantern Glow events throughout the month.
There are 6,000 hand-carved pumpkins by local artists at Jack O’Lantern Glow! We are able to keep the pumpkins looking great for you, no matter when you come, because they are “forever pumpkins.” Real pumpkins would unfortunately get smelly and break down too quickly. We’re able to save these pumpkins for next year’s Jack O’Lantern Glow…and continue to carve new exciting features for the future!