It’s Gourd to be Back!
Thousands of artistically hand-carved pumpkins will glow in the night during the walk-through Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza, presented by Beverlynn and Steven Elliott. The gallery of pumpkins features an all-new array of beloved Zoo animals, famous sights, and familiar characters from the worlds of entertainment, fantasy, pop culture, sports, and more, presented with sound, light, and other special effects.
The premier family-friendly nighttime event in Pittsburgh is the perfect combination of nighttime fun, the spirit of autumn, and artistry. Over 3,000 Jack O’Lanterns will illuminate The Islands and Jungle Odyssey in a dazzling spectacle, including differently themed areas with a Pittsburgh connection and our showstopping pumpkin trail finale, the Living Wall.
In addition to pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and designs, the Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza will feature activities for children, gently spooky seasonal displays, and specialty seasonal food items. The evening Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza adds a fall family tradition that will delight guests of all ages.
Ticket Options
No tricks, all treats! New for 2026: flexible pricing based on your input.
The time on your ticket indicates the range of time when you will enter the Zoo but does not require a specific exit time. Once admitted to the Zoo at the listed time for the event, you may stay in the park as long as preferred, or until park close. Single Day tickets must be used on the selected evening and are not transferrable to other nights. Flex tickets must be used by the expiration date listed on the ticket.
Single Day Tickets
Standard non-Member adult tickets are $24 for weekdays Monday-Thursday, and $26 for weekends Friday-Sunday. Child tickets, ages 2-13, cost $6 less: $18 for weekdays and $20 for weekends.
Discounts are available! See below on page.
New for 2026: we listened to your feedback and lowered prices! We want even more guests to enjoy the Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza, so guests now get more for less. Prices are also now fixed. While the prices vary by weekday and weekend, the prices won’t change; the prices listed will remain the prices on those days. Learn about Single Day Pricing.
Member Discounts
Members save $2 on all Single Day tickets. Discount will automatically be applied to all Single Day Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza tickets in the cart once Members log in. Number of tickets discounted is limited to the level of Membership held by the guest.
Members save big on Member Extra Value Nights: select Wednesdays & Thursdays, October 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16. Members receive extra discounts on entry, making Member tickets just $20 adult, $15 child on these special nights! $2 discount incorporated into final listed price here. Discount applied in cart once logged in.
Family Value Nights
Enjoy discounted tickets and lower crowds on to select Wednesdays: October 8 and 15. Enjoy tickets for $22 adult and $17 child, our best non-Member rates.
College Discount Night
Sunday, October 12 is College Discount Night. Students presenting a valid college ID at Zoo ticketing booth on this night will receive a $21 ticket (a $5 discount!)
Group Discount
Groups of 15+ can automatically receive a $22 flat rate on all Single Day tickets. Discount will automatically be applied to all Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza tickets in the cart. All child tickets will receive listed rates lower than $22. Groups must select a date and time that works for everyone in the party. Note that Member discount does not apply to group sales.
Guests looking for the flexibility of visiting Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza during any night or time of the festival may purchase a Flex ticket. Flex tickets are single-use, flat-rate tickets that are good for any operating night at any time 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. These premium-priced $28 tickets offer options for guests with evolving plans.
No discounts are available for Flex tickets. Ticket price applies as a flat rate to guests of all ages over 24 months.
Features
Learn about the highlights of the Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza!
It’s time to get spooky! Get the night started in the Village with snacks, glow gear, photo ops, and much more. Check out activities and add-ons, get your Scavenger Hunt started, and look for the likes of Pumpkin Painting or our Train! Keep an eye out for roaming characters on Friday nights through October 24.
For your journey to the Jack O’Lantern Trail, experience our new Magic Moment skeletons–push the interactive buttons to see what happens! New pathway lighting and more Jack O’Lanterns will illuminate your way, and you can guess the weight of real record-size giant pumpkins!
Yes, the Jack O’Lanterns really are all hand-carved! Watch our local artists keep the show alive with real-time updates to our display near Jambo Plaza.
Pumpkin spice and everything nice! Specialty seasonal food items ranging from quick snacks to meals found throughout the park, plus tasty non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
The main event! Thousands of pumpkins light up the night through the Islands and Jungle Odyssey, featuring all-new theming and ambient sound, from Pittsburgh to far-off lands, dinosaurs to favorite resident animals, movies, magic, and more.
The grand finale of the Jack O’Lantern Trail, marvel at a 650-foot multimedia spectacular: wall-to-wall pumpkins, flashing to a synchronized light and sound show. You’ve never seen anything like this Thriller!
Activities & Add-Ons
It’s not just Jack O’Lanterns! In addition to the showcase Jack O’Lantern trail, enjoy these fun activities during your visit on select nights!
For guests of all ages, activity throughout the Event
Included free with all admission tickets, find specialty displays and great photo opportunities on your way to the Jack O’Lantern Trail! Use your personal mobile device to peek at pumpkins and spy our skeletons getting into all sorts of fun. Participation details available on grounds, or get started by downloading Goosechase for iOS or Android.
For guests of all ages, located at Education Complex
It’s baaaaack! The Night Train pulls into the station for spooky season. Who knows what sights can be seen after being gone all summer? Check out this family-friendly express round-trip, approximately 10 minutes.
$4 per rider
For guests of all ages, located in the Village
Take a turn for some friendly frights on this ride beloved by generations of Zoo-goers.
$4 per rider
For guests of all ages, located in the Village
One of the thousands of pumpkins on grounds is sure to spark your creativity. Let your inner artist loose on a pumpkin with paint markers.
$5 per pumpkin
For guests ages 12+, located at the Rhino Overlook
Who doesn’t love smashing pumpkins? Step right up, grab our provided tool of destruction, and go to town on a seasonal gourd.
Note, pumpkins selected for this activity are not otherwise suitable for display use and are being used sustainably. What remains is fully composted!
$7 per pumpkin, complete rules and purchase available on grounds, select nights only.
For guests of all ages, attractions in the Village
The Spooky Sights Pack includes a magical pair of Spooky Specs diffraction glasses and one ride on your choice of the Train or Carousel—perfect for adding a little extra Halloween magic to your night.
$6 pack
Did you miss adding this pack to your cart when you purchased tickets?
For guests of all ages, attractions in the Village
Includes one ride on your choice of the Train or Carousel, a pair of Spooky Specs diffraction glasses to make the sights pop, and a hands-on pumpkin painting activity to spark your creativity. Perfect for guests of all ages looking for festive fall fun!
$10 pack
Did you miss adding this pack to your cart when you purchased tickets?
Arriving at the Zoo & Sunset Showtime
Children under 24 months old do not require tickets.
Guests arriving at the Zoo without Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza tickets may buy tickets on grounds if tickets remain available. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the Zoo to guarantee availability.
The event will take place rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. Only discounts listed on this page apply; no additional discounts are available.
Main admission gates will open nightly 30-45 minutes before the Jack O’Lantern trail opens at the top of the park. For best experience, showtime for the Jack O’Lantern trail begins nightly at sundown. Early arriving guests may experience wait times. Guests will experience attractions, displays, and activities along the Savanna path to and from the trail.
Experience & Getting Around
Animals will not be visible in their public habitat during evening hours. To see all Zoo animals, you may also plan a daytime visit. Please note that the Zoo will fully close for one hour between daytime operation and nighttime Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza.
While our basic dress code applies, guests are welcome to wear costumes to the Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza if they prefer. Zoo staff may ask guests to modify costumes for safety. Costumes are encouraged to be family-friendly and should enable safe movement through the Zoo. Teens and adults may not wear a costume that fully covers their face. For additional costume fun at the Zoo with trick-or-treating, check out our daytime ZooBoo.
The Jack O’Lantern trail itself is at the top of the park in The Islands and Jungle Odyssey and is approximately 1/3 mile. Guests will both enter and exit the trail from the Savanna path. The entire event loop is approximately two miles and includes uphill portions. Tram will not operate during this evening event. Guests looking to rent a wheelchair or electric scooter are highly advised to place an advanced reservation. Quantities are limited. Without a reservation, rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis and there is no guarantee of availability. To make a mobility assistance reservation, please call 412-365-6020.
The Jack O’Lantern Extravaganza is a highly sensory experience that includes colored lights and ambient sounds throughout the park. The Living Wall, the finale of the Jack O’Lantern Trail, features quickly flashing lights and loud music. A sign is posted before entry to this section. Guests with sensitivities may like to check out a sensory bag at our admission gates.
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