The Glow: A Jack O’Lantern Experience is coming to Philadelphia for the first time this October. If you’re a lover of fall and Halloween, and you’re seeking a family-friendly outing, look no further, grab a sweater—and your camera.
Glow guests can expect to see more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins—real ones as well as ones molded from real pumpkins—in West Fairmount Park at Avenue of the Republic and States Drive. Jack’s artists have prepared single jack ‘o lanterns for guests’ viewing pleasure, featuring the likenesses of celebrities, sports icons, flowers and animals, as well as grand-scale jack o’lantern scenes in a variety of themes from prehistoric to oceanic. The carvers will be on hand to demonstrate their handiwork.
You can get your glow on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday night in October, or on Thursdays, October 12, 19, or 26. Time-specific tickets, beginning at 7pm most nights, and offered every half hour until 10pm, must be purchased ahead of time here. (The limited number of Any Day Any Time tickets are completely sold out.) Admission for adults is $22 and youth aged 3 to 12 get in for $16. Kids 2 and under are welcome at no charge. Autumn-inspired food and drink will be available for purchase.
On Sunday, October 8, The Glow has set aside some tickets for visitors with autism for Autism Speaks. These tickets will allow spectators with autism to stroll the trail before the sun goes down, among a quieter, smaller crowd. A discount code is required.
The 1/3-mile walk starts at Catholic Total Abstinence Fountain in the park, a 30- to 40-minute amble from the first glorious pumpkin to the last.
Looking for more local fall experiences? Check out our guide to where to go apple picking near Philadelphia