Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular – Trivia Edition

Tuesday, October 22 & Wednesday, October 23 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm

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. For maximum enjoyment, the over 5000 pumpkins will light up the Zoo’s Wetlands Trail, but there will be no music or special effects.

Please note: Tickets for this sensory-friendly hour are available for purchase in person ONLY at the Zoo’s admissions booth.

Roger Williams Park Zoo (RWPZ) management will close the event if there is a threat of severe weather. Please call in advance, check the website or visit Facebook for updates.

Only when RWPZ cancels the show, patrons who purchased advance tickets will be reimbursed or may come another evening.  In this case, ticket holders will be able to change their reservation date by contacting Guest Services at info@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 rain, and the trail is not 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 (November 2, 2024) are not permitted.

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.
• 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 on-site parking, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make sure to take valuables with you when exiting your vehicles or store them out of sight.

Overflow parking will be made available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

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 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.

Guests may use strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons on the exhibit trail. The trail is fully accessible, though it does include uneven or unpaved terrain.

Need to rent a stroller/wheelchair? Rentals are available at Basecamp located at the main entrance. One and two seat strollers are available for $7 (single stroller) and $9 (double stroller). Manual wheelchairs are available for $7. ECVs (electronic conveyance vehicles) are also available for $27 each.

If you have any questions about stroller, wheelchair and ECV rentals, please contact our team at 401-785-3510 ext. 391.

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 variety of snacks and beverages. We 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/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.

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.

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.

Active RWPZoo members receive a special discount of $2 off adult tickets and $1 off child tickets – see below for details. You must be logged into your Zoo membership account to receive the member discount.

1. Sign in to your member account at the top-right of this page.

2. If registering for the first time, enter the information EXACTLY as it appears on your Zoo member record, or you may not receive your discount.

3. Proceed with the transaction and add to cart. If the discount doesn’t apply, please contact  Membership@rwpzoo.org  Please note: the Membership Department is open Monday-Friday 9 AM – 4 PM, so please plan your purchases accordingly. The discount only applies to the number of guests covered under your membership benefits.

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.

We do not offer refunds unless the event is closed due to hazardous weather conditions. Refund requests for event nights that are canceled are not permitted after the last night of the show, November 2, 2024.

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.”

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, please contact info@rwpzoo.org.  We look forward to seeing you!!