Over 7,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns light up the historic Van Cortlandt Manor grounds in a synchronized, walk-through Halloween spectacle.
Each fall, the lawns and gardens of Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson transform into the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, a half-mile walking trail illuminated by more than 7,000 individually hand-carved pumpkins. Produced by Historic Hudson Valley, the self-paced evening experience features elaborate pumpkin sculptures — dinosaurs, a working carousel, a planetarium, and seasonal pop culture tributes — alongside synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack.
The 2026 season runs select evenings from September 18 through November 8, with timed entry required and no tickets sold at the gate. Beyond the main pumpkin trail, visitors can stop at premium add-on experiences like the Gourd & Goblet Tavern and the Headless Horseman's Hideaway, browse the Blaze gift shop, and pick up fall snacks at the courtyard concessions.
All proceeds support Historic Hudson Valley's educational programming at its network of historic sites. The event is outdoor and held rain or shine, drawing large crowds on weekends, so advance ticket purchase and off-peak weeknight visits are recommended for the best experience and value.
**Tickets & prices:** Standard timed tickets from $24 per person; FLEX (any date/time) tickets from $129; Blaze + Headless Horseman's Hideaway from $42; Blaze + Gourd & Goblet Tavern from $64; children 2 and under free. Prices vary by date and demand. Book via the [official site](https://pumpkinblaze.org/blaze-ticket-options/).
*Photo: Dmadeo, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Van-cortland-manor.jpg).*
The story behind The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze.
Van Cortlandt Manor is an 18th-century estate and National Historic Landmark on the Croton and Hudson Rivers, once home to the prominent Van Cortlandt family and now operated as a museum by the nonprofit Historic Hudson Valley. Since 2005, the organization has used the manor's grounds each autumn to stage the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, one of the Hudson Valley's signature Halloween attractions.
Artisans hand-carve thousands of pumpkins on site throughout the season, arranging them into elaborate themed tableaux along a roughly half-mile pedestrian trail. The display has grown over the years to include synchronized lighting effects, a soundtrack, and rotating seasonal themes, making repeat visits distinct from year to year.
The event is one of several Halloween-season offerings Historic Hudson Valley presents across its Westchester properties, alongside Horseman's Hollow and other Sleepy Hollow Country programming, with proceeds reinvested in the organization's historic preservation and education mission.
It's one of the most photogenic, large-scale Halloween spectacles within day-trip range of New York City, and no two visits feel quite the same since the pumpkin displays evolve each season. The Metro-North accessibility makes it an easy car-free escape for city dwellers craving fall atmosphere.
— The 7Days7Nights editors
Don't miss these.
- 1Over 7,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns along a half-mile trail
- 2Synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack
- 3Life-sized pumpkin dinosaurs, a Pumpkin Planetarium, and a working carousel
- 4Premium add-ons: Gourd & Goblet Tavern and Headless Horseman's Hideaway
- 5Free on-site parking and a short walk from Croton-Harmon Metro-North station
- 6Recommended for all ages
Plan your visit.
Reservations
Walk-ins are typically welcome — check the website or Instagram for the latest hours.
Best time to visit
Visit on a weeknight for lower prices and smaller crowds; weekends sell out fastest.
Nearest subway
Metro-North Hudson Line to Croton-Harmon Station (about 0.8 miles / 15-20 min walk, or short taxi/rideshare, to Van Cortlandt Manor)
Hours
Select evenings, September 18 – November 8, 2026; timed entry slots vary by date (check official calendar). Entry closes 30 minutes after the last timed slot; pedestrian trail access closes 45 minutes after the last entry time.
Accessibility
Accessible parking available for guests with a disability placard or license plate; outdoor trail involves walking on grass and uneven terrain, so comfortable footwear is advised.
Seasonal note
Peak season is Fall — plan around that window for the full experience.
Insider tip
Go on a weekday afternoon to skip the lines and get the best photos.
Price range
Expect $$ pricing. Budget accordingly and check the website for the latest.
Who this is for.
On the map.
Subway: Metro-North Hudson Line to Croton-Harmon Station (about 0.8 miles / 15-20 min walk, or short taxi/rideshare, to Van Cortlandt Manor)
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