Hands down this is THE worst and most unorganized event I have ever attended. I've done Disneyland during school vacation week, Times Square in NYC, Red Sox playoff games, concerts and festivals ... only in a state as mismanaged as Rhode Island would you even be able to hold a disaster of an event like this. We went on a Saturday and there were probably SEVERAL THOUSAND people there. From the highway exit to the end of the night, our visit took 4 hours. 1 1/2 hours of waiting in traffic, 1 hour of waiting in lines, 1/2 hour of walking from the lots to the event and 20 minutes to walk through the actual attraction. (Bathroom lines took 20+ minutes!) The issue starts with the highway exit. The zoo is right off 95 and there is only one road in so there is so much traffic coming off the exit it creates a bottleneck. There is a stoplight off the ramp and it's a free for all ... the cars go through, stop and then block the intersection and sit there. There is no police detail to manage the HUNDREDS of cars navigating this intersection ... or sitting there. From the intersection, it's about 1/2 mile to the zoo entrance. The problem is, the lane drops from two to one which is a disaster. There is an empty police cruiser parked with lights on but again ... not a single person or officer directing traffic which is completely bottlenecked. Once you get into the zoo's gates, it's an absolute free for all. The path is one mile to the lots and it's like the wild west. Traffic stops for 45 min. to 2 hours. Not a single attendant directing anyone ... no signs where to go. People were pulling off and parking their cars on the side of the street, on the grass crooked, in the woods, etc. If a fire truck or ambulance needed to get through, it would be impossible. It was absolute madness! The only way not to wait 1-2 hours would be to park illegally wherever you find a spot and just hope they don't tow you. The line of people waiting are seething ... horns are honking, people are screaming and swearing at each other. It's like The Walking Dead ... all humanity and societal norms go out the window in a 1-2 hour traffic jam. Last week 50-100 cars were vandalized and broken into. This is because although we saw only one empty cruiser with the lights on, there was no staff, attendants or police detail there to patrol, monitor or do crowd control. At all. We did not feel safe. Normally at events of this size, there are officers there in uniform ... not even to direct traffic (although it would help!) but also to protect the thousands of people in case of a disaster and show a presence of law enforcement. The only security we saw were college-aged kids in blue jackets. They did not stand out and certainly did not have the command presence of a police officer or the ability to stop a nutjob should there be an issue. Once you do say fuck it and decide to park your car on a curb or in the woods because you can't wait ... you still have to walk 1/4 - 1/2 mile where there is a sea of people. There are few signs and one or two overwhelmed college kids to direct the masses to the right area. You then stand in a ticket line for entrance (even if you pre-purchased tickets) for 20 - 30 minutes. Once you go through the gate, you get into a large line for another 40 minute wait!!! By this point, people have lost their minds. Douchebags start cutting the line and walking up the sides. People start getting chippy and having words and arguements with strangers. Kids are crying, asshole are cutting the line. Once you get to the jackolanters, its another free for all. People stopping in the path to take photos ... parents with strollers pushing their kids into your path ... it says no flash photos because that ruins the ambiance. Nobody listens and flashes go off everywhere. If you are even a bit agoraphobic or hate crowds, imagine Disneyworld on school vacation week ... in the dark ... with a bunch of assholes taking selfies. Yep ... this is the worst place event ever if you don't wait to bump elbows with thousands of people. I will say the jackolanters look cool ... they are everywhere and they put colored lights and lasers to give it a dance club vibe. We saw lots of people snapping at each other and one near shoving match between two groups upset with someone who was taking too long to take a photo. If there was a time few people were there, it would be a cool thing to see. However no amount of jackolanters would ever tempt me to go back again. The event seemed oversold by 4 times the number of people they should have allowed in on a weekend. Utterly irresponsible by the organizers. This is the worst organized event I've ever been to. I cannot believe this event can continue to be run this way from a safety standpoint. Skip this but if you must go, my advice is not to go on a weekend, or take an uber and get out and walk at the first sign of traffic. read more

I have been to the Jack-O-Lantern many times and once before with Yelp so I wasn't sure it could be elevated but it was. We went behind the scenes for a chat with a park employee and a pumpkin expert. It was very interesting to learn the origins as well as where the pumpkins come from, how long they last, what happens with the seeds (sent back to the grower), etc. There were even some elephants having a nighttime snack. The pumpkins were gorgeous as usual. There seemed to be a new design in one area with a sort of tunnel of pumpkins over top. I had a great time. I am continually grateful the park puts on this event and thanks to the carvers/pumpkin experts as well. read more

I have been coming for years. Yes, it's a bit cheesy, overpriced and can get a bit crowded. I knew that going in. But I live the neighborhood and am a zoo member, so I find a new towner to bring every year and manage to have some fun. I went this past Friday at 9pm. The weather was nice and I had a free night short notice. I turned up over a half hour before my time slot and got in line. At 9 and they started letting us in. I was expecting that once we got inside we'd be able to move about freely as we had in past years. This year it was so crowded that the only way to really lave the line was to get food, buy trinkets or use the restrooms. Otherwise you were shuffling in a crowded, slow moving line until you exited the park. Several times folks bumped in to me, stepped on me and pushed me because things were just so packed. I was concerned not only about COVID at that capacity, but the possibility of trampling if someone tripped and fell. I contact the zoo right away to express my concern and ask for a refund and got a form letter in response- assuring me I didn't experience what I had experienced. I am a seasoned event organizer of over 25 years. I really wish the zoo that I loved had treated my well reasoned concerns with the respect they deserved. I am definitely not coming back for a special event. Not sure about the zoo membership. I am guessing that they just let in people with earlier timed entrances who came let. Can say that I encountered at least three parties who turned up past their one hour timed window and were granted entry. I took the time to give them feedback directly before posting review- it's unfortunate they chose to brush it off. read more

This was my first year visiting the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, and it really made me wish I had gone in previous years to see the other cool themes! First off all, I knew there would be a lot of people there, issues with parking, and a line to get in. Even though the parking lot was full, the staff was very organized and was directing people to park in other makeshift lots. We got there not too long after they opened, and it was already getting packed. We did have to wait in line to get into the attraction, but the line moved quickly and it really wasn't so bad. Luckily we picked a very temperate evening so it wasn't cold either. It worked out really well. The theme for 2013 was Pumpkinville USA. It started out with a section called Zombie Zoo and highlighted zombie versions of zoo animals on pumpkins. It was pretty creepy but really cool. After that, the pumpkins started to represent the different states in our country. It was really neat. I was so impressed by the quality of work. My favorite area (and one I believe they do every year) is the Laughing Tree. It's the finale, and rightfully so. There are tons and tons of jack-o-lanterns strung up in a tree, with lots of all sizes arranged below. There are smoke machines and a crazy and creepy laugh track. This was the most "Halloweeny" area in my opinion, but I really loved all of it. I'd say show up early before the lines get long, although I've heard that if you come later on there are less families with kids to slow you down. Either way, I definitely think it's worth checking out this great seasonal attraction. And most importantly, proceeds go to helping the conservation and education efforts of the zoo. It's really a great cause :) read more

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I was worried about the 'glowing' reviews on Yelp not being up to par for this one but I must say I was impressed! They have a super small version of this in my home neighborhood but all of the pumpkins are artificial so to me it was kind of like paying to see Christmas decorations that someone got out of the barn. This, however, is not the case here. Yes, they have some artificial pumpkins but they are used mainly in the background or hung up high where you do not have easy access to replace them as they get rotten. The main event is all natural -- and it is quite spectacular! The down side is the crowd. This is a zoo (and a park) but in no way is it prepared to handle the amount of cars that come around to see it on a busy night. If you can manage your patience and be prepared to walk (or get extremely lucky) it will be worth it. Unfortunately, the wait is not only finding a parking spot -- it took us about an hour just to run the queue to where the pumpkins started -- and that was having tickets in hand ahead of time. Going there without tickets on bust night might add an hour of wait time! Bottom line -- find a way to get there. It is fun and actually worth the hassle. Hey, I have carved pumpkins at home but I do not believe I have ever see 1,000+ pound ones carved up. Bravo to all that make this one come together and even better the money spent on your tickets works toward making the zoo a better place to visit. read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Home Sweet Home! - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

We went on a WEDNESDAY this year; yesterday to be exact, and we were waiting in a never ending traffic line for 45 minutes!!! So a total of an hour just to park, when we lived only a couple miles away. So that started out the evening horrendous, because that chewed up almost our ENTIRE check in time (7-7:59). We left the house at 6:45 got to the zoo a few minutes before 7 and were stuck and didn't get parked and to the gate until 7:50, so after a long day of work and 70+ dollars later; already starting off horribly. Then we get in, wait in ANOTHER line to see the Superhero characters for at least half an hour, with some seemingly drunk belligerent guy yelling nonsense at the top of his lungs 5 inches away from us the entire time, as if being on top of us will get you to people dressed in Halloween costumes ANY faster . There were little children there for crying out loud and these disgusting patrons made it absolutely unbearable. The pumpkins were the same as always, no different than previous years other than theme, and the stores and vendors were the same as always. At this point, I absolutely REFUSE to go back, because they pack it so full, it's a nightmare to be, and you can't even remotely enjoy it or stroll. Overpriced, not worth the money, staff did little to nothing to improve what should have been an enjoyable night for my family. VERY bad experience all around. read more

This is amazing experience for all ages! Stunningly carved themed pumpkins complete with music will fully immerses you in a truly unique arts experience. Can get busy on weekends and tickets for weekends can now be reserved online. They offer premium parking for $10. They also offer discounts during the week with aaa membership. Themes change every year so it's always worth the trip!! You won't be disappointed :)a must fall experience. read more

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The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular has become somewhat of a Fall staple here in Rhode Island, meaning if you didn't go, was it even really autumn?I had the chance to go on opening night- it was rainy, chilly and foggy as heck, aka the perfect night to see this pumpkin paradise. Seriously, I'm always amazed at how intricate and memsomorizing the displays are. One of the best and worst parts of this experience is it can last only a handful of minutes, depending on the crowd (more on that below) it's great because it doesn't become monotonous but it also leaves you wanting a little more. Along those lines, I would suggest for next year a pumpkin thrown display, where people and families can sit on and have spooky elements around them, like skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, etc... and have that be the picture station. Currently it's a green screen when you first enter and it feels a bit 2005ish. I think the whole experience could be a tad more interactive in general, but if you consider it an art installation than you may disagree. Back to the crowds, as I said earlier it was a dreary night which kept the crowds away, this event is less appealing when you're trying to get through a hoard of people to see each pumpkin, never mind the time it takes to get through. All and all I do recommend going, I suggest saving it for a night that would give many people pause to go, as fewer people enhances the experience and ensures less competition to see and photograph the marvelous pumpkins. read more

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Should you do it? YES!!! The jack-o-lantern display is incredibly worthwhile and it's a very cool experience I've never had anywhere else. Thousands of pumpkins in the trees and surrounding you. There's nothing like it. Why only three stars? The event organization is a disaster. Set your expectations low and charge your phone or bring games/snacks. Go left off the highway exit and park down the block instead of going to the roundabout. The whole area turns into a huge congested mess and you will regret it if you try to park in the lots. Once you're out of your car you'll be herded into lines, then herded into additional lines, then even more lines. Our timed ticket was for 9pm and we waited in lines until around 9:45 before even entering the zoo. Once you're inside the zoo, there are a couple stands with beer/wine (think coors) and popcorn. You then walk for about 20 more minutes (not far, just a huge slow line in the dark) before getting to the pumpkins. Even though the tickets are times sales, there are still way too many people in each slot. It would have been magical if it was so so packed with random people, strollers, crying babies. Once you're out, there's light up swan boats on the lake that are pretty cool looking. read more

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My friend and I experienced the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular a few years ago and it was so awesome. You can see and appreciate the amount of time it must have taken for the artists to carve these super intricate pumpkins. THEN seeing the other thousand of smaller pumpkins in the trees all lit up, it ties into the whole experience very nicely. I love how they change the themes every year and add music to whatever the theme is you're currently passing by. My favorites are all the geeky themes such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter but I appreciate it all equally. This is a great event for everyone, kids of all ages included. Now that I have a son, we will definitely experience this together. I have a feeling he is going to love it. An added bonus is they offer hot chocolate and special treats like candy/caramel dipped apples and other sugary goodies to eat as you walk through the path. I recommend going on a weeknight, as weekends are WILD, especially as you get closer to Halloween. read more

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THIS PLACE IS FABULOUS!!! So much to do and see. My family spent nearly an hour walking through and looking at all the pumpkins. The designs are incredible - we couldn't believe all of it was done by hand. Some pumpkins were carved while others were painted (with some carving but not much). All of the designs were so creative and we never saw the same thing twice. I can't wait to visit again next year. You must add this to your Halloween bucket list if you haven't already. read more

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LINES, LINES and more LINES! We went on a Thursday and it was just stressful. It took 40 minutes park. Then we waited 30 minutes to get to the pumpkins. Then it was so crowded that we couldn't look at anything. Another 30 minutes to leave. The actual pumpkin part was a huge mush of people. So the whole time, you get pushed, bumped, stepped on. The path is uneven and changing surfaces. so it goes from paved to sand with no warning. So overall, the whole thing was long and stressful. Stay home, put on music and google the pictures. You will have a better time. read more

This is by far the worst and most unorganized event in the history of events. We sat out front of the zoo for an hour. We're told by one officer to go to the next entrance only to be told that we had to make a u turn to the other entrance. Well we did and waited forever to get in. Felt like we drove a mile and a half just to park when we got in. They have 2-3 people directing traffic at one spot. Not spread out. We walked through the entrance and have been inside here since about 8:20 and still have yet to see a jack o lantern other than their sponsors (so cool). SO if you want to wait an hour to sit in traffic to be told by the officers which entrance is the "right" one to go into then wait another 25-30 minutes just to see a jack o lantern then this is your type of event. 650pm-850pm and still yet to get in. This event is garbage and should never have happened. Edit. Still woke up this morning pissed off at how unorganized and bad this event was. read more

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as in -- going once is enough! It is definitely unique, but I don't think anyone needs to see 5000 pumpkins more than once. It's not cheap (18 for adults and 15 for kids over 2), and it was way too crowded to make for a pleasant experience. The wow factor mostly dissipates after the first 5 minutes. After that it was mostly focused on navigating through the heavy crowds and making sure we didn't lose our kids. Several tips: 1) not sure if this is new but you can pay $10 to park in the lot next to the zoo. I recommend this. 2) get there with plenty of time to spare because there is considerable traffic getting in. 3) go during the week or really late to avoid the crowds. We went on a Saturday evening and it took us more than an hour to walk through because of how many people there were. read more

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Great local/annual event held at Roger William's Zoo. They have special event themed nights 6 - 8 pm, and new this year was the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride-- cool to see things from above! Tickets are higher priced on Fri-Sun nights and it can be a bit crowded, if possible take the kiddo's right at 6pm on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. Be sure to bring cash for the kettle corn that's hard to pass up Great for family night out or even a date night! Don't forget to stop by the lit up swan boats for a quick ride around the pond on your way out. read more

This place is a must go if you are a Rhode Islander! It was such a lovely way to spend a Tuesday Evening. It was very reasonable to get it. At the beginning of the week it is only $12 to get in and on the weekends it is $14. If you have AAA, you also get a discount. Not to bad I must say. All the proceeds from the event go right back to Zoo education. The theme of the event changes every year so it is always different. The theme this year was Around the World. Each region had pumpkins to represent it plus music to go along with it. My favorite was Germany! They also have traditional pumpkins too. The grand finale was great. The huge tree covered in mini pumpkins with JackoLaterns all around was a site! Just some tips though: Go to the bathroom before you start the trail. They have no stops along the way, so GO! Two, bring some money for food. The Spiced Pumpkin beer was really tasty and only $5. The kettle corn was also yummy too! Also, dress with a sweater, its Fall of course! read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Wow! This is truly spectacular -- crazy beautiful, creative and unique. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, as I've heard it can get really crazy with lines and crowding, so we went on a Monday night. While there were still a ton of people there, the line flowed smoothly and the crowds were actually part of the fun. The pumpkins are carved with amazing designs and standard jack-o-lantern faces alike; My most favorite pumpkin was the scary kittens - I can't even imagine how long it took the artist to get all of the details of the fur and markings so real-looking. Of course, the grand finale -- The Laughing Tree -- is amazing and spooky and creepy, just as it should be. I was really impressed by the thoughtful presentation and arrangement of each an every pumpkin, even all the way up on those huge, sky-scraping trees. A word to the wise: Don't follow Google maps to get here - you'll get so lost and it will take you twice as long. JUst take Exit 16 and follow the signs to the Zoo. Also, bundle up! It gets cold on the trails. read more

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Although I am two months too late in posting this review, Roger Williams Zoo is definitely doing things right, putting the Jack O Lantern Spectacular as a must-do activity for me in the fall. We're from Boston so the drive was only about 45 minutes. Decided to go around 6-7pm on the weekend before Halloween on a Saturday night. Once we got off the exit, the line of cars stretched as far as the eye could see, with police in the roads trying to get people in and out of the zoo safely. Holy crap. We decided to go to Providence Place Mall to kill some time, then come back later. Smartest decision ever. We arrived back at around 9-10pm where the long line of cars vanished, and we were able to park close to the entrance of the zoo. Tickets for admission were $15 per person, which may seem a bit much, but altogether, these will probably be the most intricate and entertaining pumpkins you'll ever see. Once we purchased our tickets, there is an additional line that we had to wait in for about 30 minutes. The entire walkthrough of all of the jack-o-lanterns takes about 45 minutes to an hour, mainly because everyone is taking tons of pictures and taking their time to see all the intricate details and artwork on each pumpkin. This time around, there were pumpkin art that resembled the 50 states, so it was fun to try to distinguish which pumpkin correlated with its state. Even better? While waiting in line, there are concessions stands selling various things like candied nuts, pretzels, coffee (Dunkin Donuts!), fried dough, and even beer! I definitely look forward to next year to see what the zoo has to offer. Super impressive! read more

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I've never seen anything like this before and I really enjoyed it. It's amazing what pumpkin artists can do with these pumpkins. They had music that went along with the themes that made it more realistic. I won't be here for this next year so I'm glad I get the chance to go this year to see all the pumpkins. read more

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Like Mr. Potato Head, wieners served "all the way," Johnnycakes and coffee milk, Roger Williams Park Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is a Rhode Island mainstay. It's become an annual tradition for me to tour the pumpkins with my best friend from college and her two small children. And because the themes and the scenes change from year to year, it really never gets old or boring. It's truly outstanding what creative masterminds can do with a simple root vegetable, when they put their imagination and carving knives to work. Last year I was happy to see that the event survived Hurricane Sandy without missing a beat. This year, our experience was markedly different, as we went before Halloween on a relatively mild weather night. I experienced the full-on Crazy Town that is the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in mid-October: a starkly different experience than one would have two weeks later, in early-November. If you venture down to the park on a Saturday night prior to All Hallows Eve, beware the crowds: they are more terrifying than anything Wes Craven or Rob Zombie has ever dreamt. Purchase your tickets ahead of time, if you can - it will save you nearly an hour of waiting in line, simply to pay your admission fee. Once through the gates, you'll inch your way down a painfully-long trail before you reach the start of the show. All total, during peak weekends you might be at the venue for about 90 minutes before you see a single jack o' lantern. (Like mom always said: go before you leave the house.) Getting there is not really half the fun for adults; but for kids, it's a wonderland of cotton candy, light sabers and princess-style scepters that light up the night like a kindergarten rave. Grownups can find solace in pumpkin ale served in solo cups with cinnamon spiced rims: not a bad consolation prize. Bundle up, wear comfortable walking shoes and get set for the true madness that awaits you, once pumpkins start to appear. The crush of people is a mixture of tiny children who have broken free from their parents, college kids snapping date photos and Instagramming every step of their journey, and strollers jockeying for position in the mêlée. If it sounds like I am complaining, I am - but I maintain, this is still worth seeing. The show is divided into smaller "districts" that are typically dedicated to a single topic: Hollywood, the Wild West, science. This year's show is a tribute to the fifty states. There are also a couple of constants each year: the "Laughing Tree," an audiovisual spectacle which must be seen to be believed (my favorite part of the show), and the show always ends with an "In Memoriam" section, which looks back at famous folks who passed away over the past year. This year, there's a touching tribute to the Boston Marathon bombing victims in that section, too. If at all possible, go on a weeknight after October 31. You'll be able to take advantage of lower admission fees and you'll have a real chance to commune with the pumpkins, to linger over your favorites, and simply to marvel at the magical, whimsical and prodigious amount of talent that's on display from start to finish. read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Part of this year's tribute to the States: representing Rhody! - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

2 stars for the artwork and music and all that went into the pumpkins and themes. Advice: scatter more staff throughout the trail to CONSTANTLY tell everyone not to use their flash when taking photos. It was constant. It diminished so much of the environment and overall feel of the night time event. Also, there were too many people. Create a roped line or something. People were constantly bidding in front of my small children without care or awareness. Nobody has patience anymore and will get away with whatever they can including passing up the line and budding ahead. We will not return to this activity. read more

This is an event near and dear to my heart. Partly because it has been a yearly childhood tradition to see the pumpkins in October. I came again this year (October 2013) and was a bit disappointed. Somehow the magic just wasn't there for me anymore. Perhaps I have gotten too old and lost my child-like state of wonder. Don't get me wrong, it was "nice" but no longer "spectacular." The lines were long. The crowds were too close for comfort. If you are in a group, expect to get separated more than once. Beware parents with strollers, you will get your feet run over. And muster up all the willpower you have to avoid the overpriced food vendors that are constantly tantalizing you with their aromatic smells as you enter and exit the zoo. It's nice for the kids or a romantic walk through-- but not so great if you are the one forking over the cash. Kind of not worth it. But again, this might be the over practical grown up me saying this. If this were the 8yr me I might have said something entirely different. read more

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This is my third year in a row coming to the Jack O Lantern Specular. This year was all about creepy movies(not my favorite with spooky music in beginning). But there is a pumpkin throughout the trail for everyone and every generation! My families favorite was the Christmas pumpkin display. What an amazing thing they thought of! High five on imagination. We arrived 30min before zoo/pumpkins opened at around 515 and hung around. It's best to get there before they open so you don't get mobbed and wait even longer in line. Go during the week not many people go on a school night and it's not so crowded making anxiety high if you have children. It takes about 45-1hr to walk through at a nice pace to see all. It's dark so be careful walking with children and elderly. Also they are many treats, light up toys and animals to see while you wait. Definitely family friendly! read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Pumpkins at the zoo - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Gonna start off by saying I had a bittersweet experience w/ this event. I went w/ a smaller group of friends on a Sat. night. Def. recommend to bring either a warm jacket or a bf/gf to cozy up with, with that said It was much busier than I expected it would be, w/ the majority being couples. Probably about a 10-15 minute wait to check in w/ the cashier. However, I'm not complaining about the wait in line for admission, it's the wait to see the event that really irked me. It was one of the most excruciating waits (and normally I'm not one to complain about wait), but I have to say that a good amount of time was taken up just making our way to see the actual pumpkins, which didn't happen until 25-30 minutes later. Paying $14 mainly to wait in line on a shivering, dark cold night wouldn't make anyone a happy camper. (note: $14 on fri-weekends, ok which might explain the massive line and massive wait time... but once we finally got over to the actual pumpkin show you easily understood what the hold-up was to begin w/)... ...Pretty much EVERY person/couple stopping to take pictures of EVERY pumpkin was contributing to the congested line. Then you had those people that couldn't manage to take a good still shot w/ their cameras and decided to stand right in front, blocking everyone's view. Which would make you think then, why not just go around them and see the next pumpkin? Beats me. I wish I was exaggerating but I'm not. It pretty much turned into a event where it was only worth going for the photos and not really the experience. I admit I'm guilty of "take-a-picture-of-everything-syndrome", but even I have my limits. After 2 or 3 shots of not getting a good picture, I give up, skip to the next pumpkin. Oh yeah and most of these pumpkins were chiseled and shaded not really "carved", if I had the position to criticize I would do so. I'm just giving a little forewarning to those hard-core pumpkin artisans out there so you won't be disappointed. Nonetheless I did enjoy the artwork. I'm not hating, just the whole waiting and everything really just put a damper on an otherwise good experience. On a side note I asked another friend (who has been here twice if it usu. is this long of a wait and he said last time he went he flew right by everything, so I guess it really all depends on the day and time you go. Would I go here again? Meh, possibly, maybe not on a Fri or weekend. Otherwise a pretty cool event to go to if you haven't been to anything like it, esp. if you go as a date or w/ kids. read more

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The number of pumpkins and the carvings are awesome. Its incredible what someone can do with a pumpkin. The downside to this event is the crowds, which I guess should be expected, but the walk would be a lot more enjoyable if they didn't allow people to take pictures or take baby strollers. Also the amount of marketing, advertising, and people trying to sell you crap on the long walk to get to the start of the Jack O Lanterns is annoying. read more

I checked the reviews on here to see the generally mixed results. Well, I went last night and found them to be spot on. I showed up around 9:30 and was able to find parking with all of the early visitors leaving. They halted ticket sales for about 20 minutes due to I'm assuming to be overcrowding. After sales resumed, our line started slowly moving (there were six or seven lines in total). I checked and no AAA discount except for Tuesday night. The pumpkins are very cool as well as the general themes. Someone put a lot of work into everything. The issue is there are so many people that it's hard to enjoy at times. You can't very freely walk around. I would suggest going at odd times like during the week to avoid the large crowds. I think if you could get in when the crowds are slimmer it would be a nice event. That being said, I think many people would enjoy regardless and it does have a very unique feel/theme as you walk through. read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

I grew up and have lived in RI most of my life, but this is the first time I've ever visited. I'm glad I finally made it! The artistic level of these carvings are out of this world. It can get crowded at times with lots of children, so perhaps going later in the evening is a little better. It's still worth it. I'm glad that all the proceeds go to support the zoo and that there are so many local vendors supporting this tradition. read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Yelp event at the spectacular! - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Fun , magical, artistic. This was truly a gift! The oohs and ahs abounded,as cameras and phone cameras flashed madly. The weather totally cooperated. Enjoyable night. read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

Every year, mid-way through September, I get this little burst of anticipation when I remember that the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular is around the corner. I don't make it to Roger Williams Park every year, but am so happy I could squeeze a visit into this busy season! The artistry was incredible: I'm always impressed, but the sheer amount of beautiful, creatively carved pumpkins blew me away. I particularly enjoyed the Sleep Hollow portion of the exhibit, which was presented under a long canopy of grimacing pumpkin faces and featured scenes on the larger pumpkins from Grimm Brothers tales. Parking and the walk to admissions were reasonable; there's no need to pay $10 for premier parking unless you're so inclined. Grab the kids, your SO, or a scarf, and get to Providence to see this before it spirits away Nov. 2! read more

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For someone who lives in the area and has been a lot of times I must say it's overrated. It's nice to come like every 5 years but the ticket price is pretty expensive for what you get. A lot of line waiting , to park, to get in, to get drinks. Then the first half is then taking your picture hoping you'll spend money on it, or on the other souviners they sell. Then you walk past their booths of advertisers before you get to the pumpkins finally. The pumpkins are awesome if you go at the beginning of the season, but I've been a few years where they're all moldy. It just goes by really fast for the amount of money and effort you spend on a night out. read more

If you're in the area around Halloween you should definitely stop by. The amount of detail and artistry that is put into each pumpkin is mesmerizing. I was in awe of how many there were. While it was quite the experience, I feel like it's a one and done type deal. I don't feel the need to return year after year. read more

What a fun event! Have seen it advertised for several years but didn't taken the drive down from Boston to check it out until this year. We purchased tickets online for the 10pm entrance so by the time we arrived there was no line to get in - would definitely recommend this if you don't have kids and can come late! (We went to dinner in Federal Hill beforehand which is only 10 minutes away!) There are bathrooms, food stands, and a beer/cider stand before starting the trail. The cider/beer stand even gave us the option of having a cinnamon sugar rim on our cups - great touch! We entered the trail which winds for a little bit through the zoo before getting to the jack-o-lantern portion (you do pass another beer/cider stand!). The jack-o-lanterns are so cool. There are different sections with themed pumpkins, and music accompanying along the way. They say it takes 30-45 minutes to walk the trail which was pretty on point. Took a lot of pictures (without flash) along the way. The end brings you back to where you started. Overall a great festive experience with minimal crowds since we went on the later side! I will be back! read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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This event made for a really fun Fall night. There was a lot of people there the night I went, so it took a little while to walk through which made it easier to enjoy all of the pumpkins. People stopped to take pictures along the way and look at the pumpkins they liked. They have an area to purchase beer/cider and snacks that you can walk through the zoo with. I would definitely go back again. read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

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Great experience. Staff was pleasant and accommodating while waiting in line. YES there was a wait. It was expected. As it is every year. So happy they took all necessary COVID precautions. Our group felt very safe. read more

I had a 9pm reservation and was told to arrive 15 minutes early. We waited until 10:35 before we began to move. Two small children with 1 falling asleep. We bought hot chocolate and popcorn from vendors walking between cars. Hot chocolate was cold and popcorn was inedible due to salt saturation. Pumpkins were cool but very short ride, had annoying staff waving you on thru whole ride. RW should have sold 75% less tickets so there would be no wait and you could enjoy watching without the continuous waving, waving ,waving on of staff. Total time in spectacular was 8 minutes. Much less pumpkins than previous years. Absolutely not worth 50$. If free I would not recommend. RW should reimburse every family that paid for that joke of a spectacular. I'll never return even when this covid is over read more

Wait times are way off. We arrived for our 930pm appointment time, and it took about 15 minutes from the "passes only" entrance to get to the line where we waited for almost 2 hours before we were able to actually start our experience. From there, it was a roughly 15 minute ride through the pumpkins, which are nicely spaced for the car ride, but could be better if they were only on one side of the road at a time as you have to miss some as you drive through and flip your head back and forth trying to catch all the beautiful artwork. I will note, however, that we did not experience the speed police as others had mentioned and were able to go at our own pace, leaving a sizeable distance between the car in the front of us. However, was it worth $50 to drive through? No, not really. Also, side note: We did notice the pumpkins in the trees are simply carveable fake pumpkins, probably reused year after year, as you could clearly see the seams of the plastic from the car. Overall, with the wait time, I don't think I would return until it's walkable again and we can truly be able to appreciate the time spent to create the giant pumpkins on display. read more

Had a 10 pm appointment at the park got here about 9:45. Park person just tiold me that the 9:30 people just got in, so it should be about 45 minutes wait...love this state. read more

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular - Cars waiting to get in ... - Festivals Near Me - Providence, Rhode Island

A great way to spend a Halloween night. I've gone to this a few times in the past and have been overwhelmed with the crowds to the point that I couldn't enjoy the pumpkins. This year I decided to go on Halloween night and it changed my whole perspective of it. I was able to meander at my own pace and really appreciate the artwork in each of the different sections. I love how each section has mood music and a variety of interpretations on the theme. I also like that the pumpkins change every year to reflect important moments of that year. All of the elements: music, nighttime, pumpkins close and far, and fog together bring the spirit of Halloween read more

We bought out tickets for a 9pm drive through time. We waited in a big parking lot for about 30-45 minutes after our designated start time. Once we finally got into the park, staff were urging us to "keep moving" so that we really couldn't take in the sites. I understand wanting to keep moving to decrease the waits but at 50$ a car I would expect a little more customer leniency/flexibility. They advertise the experience as taking about 25 minutes but it really only took about 10 minutes to drive through the exhibit (and that was only with 1-2 staff members telling us we weren't driving fast enough!) The pumpkins are amazing to see but the whole thing just goes by too quickly to absorb it all which is unfortunate. All and all, I'd say it's just really too overpriced for what it is and how long the exhibit actually took. I was left disappointed afterwards . read more

Absolutely the worst experience I've ever had at the zoo! 9 PM reservations. Advised to come 15 prior to reservation time. It's 945 and still waiting. People sitting in running cars . Attendant advises another 15 minutes or more. Attendant at entrance wait is approximately 15 minutes. Good intentions & effort in a pandemic however POOR execution, especially with younger children waiting in a car. NEVER AGAIN One star is being kind. Cannot post without a rating. Can you minus stars, hummm? read more