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Tips for Visiting the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

The Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular in Louisville, Kentucky is a fall event worth checking out. It’s even worth the drive if you are visiting from out of town.

I’m sharing some tips to help you make the most out of your first visit to the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended at no additional cost.

What is the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular?

You can view 5,000 carved pumpkins lining a 1/3-mile walking trail, illuminated at night at Iroquois Park daily from dusk to 11 p.m. during the week (Sunday-Thursday) and midnight on Friday & Saturday.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

The illuminated pumpkins are presented in themed scenes with music in a family-friendly environment with proceeds benefitting the Louisville Parks Foundation.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

When is the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular?

The Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is Tuesday, October 3-Monday, October 31, 2023.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

What time does the Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular Start?

  • Sunday- Thursday – 6:30pm – 10:00pm
  • Sunday – Thursday: The amphitheater gate closes at 10:00. Anyone inside the amphitheater at that time will be allowed through the event. 
  • Friday-Saturday- 6:30pm – 11:00pm
  • *Friday and Saturday: The amphitheater gate closes at 11:00. Anyone inside the amphitheater at that time will be allowed through the event. 

*The Trail Opens At Dusk which is typically between 6:50-7:30 PM and the event is held rain or shine.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

How Much Are Admission Tickets to The Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular?

The price of admission tickets for the Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular is

Sunday-Thursday

  • Adults – $15
  • Seniors (65+) – $13
  • Children (3-12) – $12
  • Children 2 and under – FREE

*Save $2 off all tickets for 9:30p entry Sunday – Thursday

Friday – Saturday

  • Adults – $20
  • Seniors (65+) – $17
  • Children (3-12) – $15
  • Children 2 and under are FREE


*Service fees and taxes are not included in ticket prices and only apply to online ticket purchases.

pumpkin at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

Are There Discounted Tickets for the Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular?

You can save $2 off all tickets for 9:30p entry Sunday – Thursday.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

How to Purchase Individual Tickets for Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

Box office 9am-4pm M-F. Then reopens at 5 p.m. Box office opens at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  

*Fees are only applied to online ticket sales.

You can purchase tickets for the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular online.

If you pay with cash at the box office you’ll avoid the credit card processing fee but you risk that the tickets for you’re desired time slot could be sold out.

Purchase tickets in advance at the box office for midweek for the best value.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

Where is the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular Located?

Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is located at Iroquois Park, 5216 New Cut Rd., Louisville, KY (Taylor Boulevard and Southern Parkway)

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

How Long Does It Take to Walk the Trail for the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular?

The Trail for the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular is a 1/3 of a mile, soft surface, woodland path with several steep slopes. The distance from the amphitheater entrance to the trail is 1/3 of a mile too.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

It typically takes an average of 35-45 minutes to complete the trail for the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

*Wheelchair-bound patrons may have difficulty traversing the trail under rain-soaked conditions.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

Tips Before You Go to the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

Use these helpful tips before you go to see the pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

1.  Dress in Layers

Check the weather forecast before you arrive and make sure that you are prepared for colder temperatures.

You can always remove layers but no one likes to be outside for a long time when they are cold. The event is held rain or shine.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

2. Download some Apps to play games before you arrive to help kill time waiting in line

This event is really popular which means that you will most likely be spending some time in line.

I recommend downloading the “Heads Up” charades app.  It’s fun for groups and helps make the line time go by faster.

pumpkin at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

3. Bring an extra battery charger for your phone

You can burn your battery life quickly waiting in line and you want to make sure that you have plenty of battery left when you reach the forest.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

4. Don’t Go on An Empty Stomach and Bring Snacks for Younger Kids

You could find yourself waiting in line so you’ll want to make sure that everyone in your group is well fed beforehand.

There are plenty of restaurants in the surrounding area within a short drive.

concessions at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

5. There are Concessions With Snacks & Drinks

There are various concession vendors onsite depending on the day and time.

If you have the last entry time slot there may not be as much availability.

crowd at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

6. Come up with a plan in case your group gets separated

The trail is designed to walk one way but it can be easy to become separated from your group while you are looking at all of the amazing pumpkins in the dark.

Louisville Jack O' Lantern Spectacular

I suggest trying to partner up if you have smaller kids and talking about a plan in case you do get separated. Light-colored items are easier to spot in the dark.

A glow stick necklace would make it easy to find your group in the crowd.

Desale High School in Louisville

7. Park at Desales High School to Get Out of Traffic Faster

The high school is a short 5-minute walk to the park, located at 425 West Kenwood Drive.

Parking is free in the Iroquois Amphitheater parking lot.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

8. Purchase your tickets for the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular ahead of time online

Many of the time slots can sell out so you want to purchase your tickets in advance if possible.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

9. Take lots of Pictures and Share Your Experience on Social Media

The artistic carving skills that you’ll see are absolutely incredible! Use the hashtag #502pumpkins and follow along on Instagram @jols_lou.

pumpkin at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

10 Walk slowly so that you can appreciate the detail of each pumpkin

The crowd is very thick in the beginning but it tends to dissipate about 1/3 of the way through.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

One advantage of a big crowd is that it forces you to go slower on the trail.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

11 Help younger kids engage more at the event by making a game of finding specific pumpkins

A game of Ispy could be helpful if you are waiting for the crowd to move along.

*There is a special sensory night on October 24 at 5:30 for an hour before it opens while it’s still light outside.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

12. Arrive after 10 pm Midweek to avoid the biggest crowds

If you go on the weekend, pack your patience and be prepared for longer lines.

pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

Is the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular Worth the Drive?

In my opinion, YES!

It’s not very often that you see that amount of quality AND quantity of creativity on display.

This is a great family-friendly event to experience around Halloween.

Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

Find Out More About the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular in Louisville, KY

You can find out more about the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular from their website. 

Tru Hotel in Louisville Kentucky

Save on Your Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky

Ready to book your hotel?

You can save on the following hotels in Louisville, KY near the Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular.

  • Tru by Hilton- Louisville Airport – 810 Phillips Lane
  • Hampton Inn – Louisville Airport – 800 Phillips Lane
  • Courtyard – Louisville Airport – 819 Phillips Lane
  • Springhill Suites – Louisville Airport – 820 Phillips Lane
  • Hilton Garden Inn – 2735 Crittenden
  • Homewood Suites – 130 Central Ave
  • Galt House – 140 North Fourth
  • 21C Hotel – 700 West Main Street
pumpkins at Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular

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