The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo from Oct. 1 through Nov. 1, with this year’s trail built around wordplay — pop culture references, puns and, by the zoo’s own admission, dad jokes carved into more than 5,000 pumpkins.
All tickets are timed and must be bought online in advance. Friday through Sunday runs $23 for adults and $19 for children 2 to 12. Monday through Thursday drops to $20 and $16. Children under 1 are free, and zoo members save $2 on adult and $1 on child tickets any night.
New this year are two appreciation nights. Teachers get $5 off one ticket on Monday, Oct. 5, with a school ID or current pay stub, and active-duty and retired military personnel get $5 off one ticket on Tuesday, Oct. 6, with a valid military ID. The rest of the group pays regular admission.
Sensory-friendly hours run from 5 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 21, with the pumpkins lit but the music and effects off. Sound returns at 6. Those discounted tickets are sold only in person at the zoo’s admissions booth.
Family Fun Nights on Oct. 6 and 7 include a costumed character meet-and-greet from 6 to 8 p.m., with the line closing at 7:45. Members get a preview night Oct. 1 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at $14 a ticket. The season closes Nov. 1 with an adults-only night for guests 21 and over.
The event runs rain or shine, with no refunds for light or moderate rain. Proceeds support the zoo’s animal care, education and conservation work.
