FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns is located in Melville, Long Island, New York, just a stones throw from the Nassau/Suffolk border at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts.  Our street and GPS address is 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights, NY 11798.

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns was previously held in Old Westbury from 2012 - 2019.  We took a break during covid and ended up a few miles away in 2022 and 2023 at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, a stones throw from the nassau/suffolk border.  No, The RISE is NOT in Old Bethpage.  There is a similar event called Blaze in Old Bethpage which sometimes gets confused with The RISE.  Sometimes people mistakenly buy tickets for Blaze and show up at The RISE with Blaze tickets and we unfortunately have to turn them away.  So make sure the tickets you buy are for RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns and you order them exclusively on jackolanterns.com.

The RISE is a self guided tour and guests move at their own pace however most people spend anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes on the trail.

No.  RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns is Long Island's original and most visited fall event, featuring The World's Longest Jack O'Lantern Trail.  We have been on Long Island since 2012 (previously in Old Westbury).  Blaze is a nearby jack o'lantern event which sometimes gets confused with The RISE.  Both events have similarities but also have big differences.  Sometimes people mistakenly buy tickets for Blaze and show up at The RISE with Blaze tickets and we unfortunately have to turn them away.  So make sure the tickets you buy are for RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns and you order them exclusively on jackolanterns.com.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts will be operating a concession stand at The RISE this year and will feature donuts, cider, popcorn and other items sourced locally by places like Jericho Cider Mill.

All RISE events are rain or shine. In cases of severe weather, we reserve the right to cancel the event and re-issue you a ticket for a different day and time. For more information about our weather policy, click here.

At 4,200 feet long, our new trail is the longest jack o'lantern trail in the world! It's significantly longer than our previous trail at Old Westbury Gardens. Visitors will need to walk about a mile, give or take, from the parking lot, through the trail, and back out to the parking lot. Our trail is paved and has some ups and downs to it, much like the Bronx Zoo has. There will be benches to sit on along the way. This terrain may not be suitable for guests who have difficulty walking a mile or who have difficulty walking up or down hills, so please use discretion prior to purchasing tickets and decide if this event is right for you.

Yes!  We have REAL bathrooms for your use (no more porto potties!).  They are available to use before you go on the trail and we also have one set of restrooms ON the trail for the first time ever! So down that hot cider or hot chocolate.  We've got you covered!

Photography is permitted however, for the safety of our guests, flash photography, tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are prohibited. 

We loved having The RISE at Old Westbury Gardens for our first 8 seasons!  It's a beautiful venue and it's very close to home for a lot of visitors.  We weren't able to return in 2020 because of Covid.  We tried to return in 2021 but ultimately weren't able to make it happen due to drainage issues on the big parking field. We couldn't be more excited to be at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts for our 3rd season in a row! 

Some of our jack o'lanterns are carved using real pumpkins and some are carved using carveable foam craft pumpkins, depending on artist preference. Either way, each jack o'lantern on our trail was hand-carved by one of our talented jack o'lantern artists!

The RISE is more of an art show, not a haunted event. The RISE is a bunch of really cool hand-carved illuminated jack o'lanterns with some really great music behind them! We do have some music that we consider "eerie" but not "scary". It is Halloween, you know! We think it's appropriate for children of all ages but only you can know if it's suitable for your child.

Not even close! Usdan's parking lot is 75% smaller than what we had previously. That means the number of people on-trail at anytime is 75% less than in the past! You'll see. There will be a whole lot less people there than in the past!

Yes! All kids 2 years of age and under come free with a Halloween-loving adult! Anyone 3 and older needs a Child (3-17) or Adult (18+) ticket.

We love pets but, for their safety and for the safety of our guests, we do not permit them at RISE events. Only guide dogs for the blind and service animals who have been specifically trained to perform a task for those with disabilities will be permitted in accordance with ADA requirements. Service dogs in training, emotional support animals, comfort animals, and/or therapy animals are not permitted. 

Parking is available on-site for passenger vehicles only. Buses can be accommodated but you will need to coordinate with us ahead of time. Please plan accordingly if you are attending with a large group.

• Handicap Parking - Handicap parking spots are available on a first-come first-served basis.  Handicap parking accommodations will ONLY be provided IF there is availability AND if you have a handicap FRONT license plate OR a handicap placard attached to your rear-view mirror PRIOR to entering the property. We will not be able to accommodate handicap parking requests without one of these credentials. If you need handicap parking, you must alert the guard at the guardbooth upon entry so they can direct you to the proper parking lot.

If you think you'll be late for your timeslot, DON'T WORRY. If you arrive later in the same evening than the timeslot you purchased for, you'll get in when you arrive. Just make sure you get in the parking lot before the gate closes, which is 10 minutes after the last timeslot of the evening.

Absolutely!  Each year, most dates and times sell out quickly. It's best to buy your tickets in August or early September to make sure you get the date and time of your choice.

Sorry! We do not sell the jack o'lanterns on our trail.

You may arrive up to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled timeslot. Please do not arrive sooner. Due to parking limitations, visitors entering more than 15 minutes before their timeslot may be directed off-site until their appropriate entry time. Entrance to the trail begins at your selected timeslot. It's ok if you arrive later than your timeslot. You will gain entry upon arrival. Parking lot closes to entering vehicles 10 minutes after last timeslot of the evening.

Our new venue, Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, is FABULOUS!  We're just a few miles down the road and the setting is GORGEOUS!  Here's what you can expect visiting The RISE at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts:

The entire trail is wooded which allows us to deliver the most gorgeous show we've ever done!
The trail is longer than in the past so your experience will be longer!  Plus, there are more roads and paths for us to use in future years as we grow the event.
The entire foot path is paved!  No more walking on temporary flooring, dirt or gravel paths! The primary parking lot is paved!  No squish-squashing around on the grass!
The parking lot is WAY smaller so we will have 75% less people on the trail than we've had in the past!  No more big crowds!
There are a number of buildings we can use on property which will help us build out the experience in future years!
The staff at Usdan have been so welcoming to The RISE and they really want us to succeed here.

Yes! You may bring a stroller or hand-pulled wagon for your little ones!

Sorry, all tickets are sold in advance on our website. No tickets are sold at the door.

We will not be selling light-up toys this year like we've done in the past. Some guests have complained that they are a distraction. They also produce significant amounts of waste and we want to reduce that as much as possible. If you feel strongly either way on this, please let us know through the post-event feedback email you get and we'll revisit it in future years.

We'll be putting out over 10,000 illuminated objects on our trail this year! This includes over 7,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns and over 3,000 brand new specialty lights and hand-made Halloween-themed lanterns all designed and arranged by our in-house team of local artists.

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns, our flagship event, will only be held on Long Island this year.  We'd love to be at other venues but it's difficult to find venues large enough and with enough availability to fit The RISE.

We are working on a few smaller jack o'lantern projects, including "Night of 1,000 Jack O'Lanterns" at Chicago Botanic Garden, "Jack O'Lantern Nights" at Racine Zoo, and "Light Into The Dungeon: A Jack O'Lantern Experience" at Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby, CT.

If you have any ideas for venues outside Long Island that we should explore for future years, please contact us!

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to invite people of all ages to experience the natural beauty of our campus and the transformative power of the arts. For 55 years, Usdan has been a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience, offering a variety of fun, educational opportunities within theater, dance, music, visual arts, creative writing, and recreational activities.  

Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited anywhere on the grounds or parking lots at any RISE event.

The RISE is a fully outdoor event so be sure to dress appropriately for all weather conditions!

Yes! We stopped making the large pumpkin displays in 2019 to focus on our classic jack o'lanterns and our art pumpkins. That year, a few of you threw your pumpkin guts at us and let us know we made a big mistake! So, in 2022, for the first time since 2018, we brought back our large multi-jack displays that we're famous for. 

2024 will be a don't miss year! We'll be carving up over 80 brand new never-before-seen elaborate multi-jack o'lantern displays! The RISE features more new themes and elements each year than any other similar event. It's no wonder why RISE visitors return year after year to see all of our new creations.

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns is a unique and immersive family-friendly walk-through experience which features over 7,000 hand-carved and illuminated jack o'lanterns creatively arranged along a scenic, paved, and safe path through the woods at night! The RISE has been visited by over 1 million visitors since 2012!

Certain dates and times sell out fast. Please check the Buy Tickets page to see which dates and times are still available.

Wheelchairs are permitted, though we do not supply them on-site. If you require a wheelchair, please make sure to bring your own as we will not be able to provide one for use once you arrive.
At 4,200 feet long, our new trail is the longest jack o'lantern trail in the world! It's significantly longer than our previous trail at Old Westbury Gardens. Visitors will need to walk about a mile, give or take, from the parking lot, through the trail, and back out to the parking lot. Our trail is paved and has some ups and downs to it, much like the Bronx Zoo has. There will be benches to sit on along the way. This terrain may not be suitable for guests who have difficulty walking a mile or who have difficulty walking up or down hills, so please use discretion prior to purchasing tickets and decide if this event is right for you.

All of our artists are committed to creating AMAZING displays for you to see at each RISE event! We are very busy carving all month long and, as such, we cannot work on any outside commissions.

We only sell timed-tickets so we can ensure we don't over-sell the event.

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns will be held on various evenings this fall. Advanced tickets are required and are sold on a first-come first-served basis. Please click “Buy Tickets” for dates, times, and locations. We sell out fast so order your tickets now before they’re gone!

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns began back in 2012 at Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island. Soon after, we branched out to a number of other locations in Boston, New Jersey, San Diego and Los Angeles. Over the years, The RISE has had over 1 Million visitors come walk our trails! The RISE shut down in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid and we spent those years sharpening our carving tools. The RISE returned to Long Island at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in 2022.

Handicap parking spots are available on a first-come first-served basis.  Handicap parking accommodations will ONLY be provided IF there is availability AND if you have a handicap FRONT license plate OR a handicap placard attached to your rear-view mirror PRIOR to entering the property. We will not be able to accommodate handicap parking requests without one of these credentials. If you need handicap parking, you must alert the guard at the guardbooth upon entry so they can direct you to the proper parking lot.

We work hard to make The RISE affordable for everyone.  That's why we offer promocodes that provide variable discounts for most timeslots.

You can sign up to receive a promocode for discounted tickets by visiting jackolanterns.com/discounts or go directly to our Buy Tickets page to see what the ticket pricing is for each timeslot.

Please read our Refunds and Exchanges Policy for more information. 

You do not need to print your tickets if you have a smartphone. However, you will need to SAVE your tickets on your smartphone PRIOR to arriving on-site because there's almost no cell service at the ticket scanning location. Right after you purchase your tickets, PLEASE print them OR save them on your phone so you can avoid issues trying to download them once you're on-site.

If your friends have tickets for the same night as you but have a different timeslot, you all can go in together BUT you MUST go in at the later timeslot. You could always enter later than your timeslot, just not earlier.

IMPORTANT: If your party is arriving in more than one vehicle, you're going to all want to park in the same parking lot.  We recommend that you stay in contact with your other party via phone or text.  The first car arriving should alert the next car as to which parking lot they are in (either Lot A or Lot B).  When the second car arrives, they should ask the first parking staff they see to park in that same lot.  If you're all in the same parking lot, you will enter the trail loop at the same location.  If your cars are in different lots, you will enter the trail at different locations and it will be unlikely that you will meet up with the rest of your party.

If you already have tickets for certain time-slot and need an additional ticket for that timeslot, please join the wait list for that time. We cannot guarantee that any tickets will become available but, if we are able to accommodate your request, we will send you an email with a link to purchase your additional tickets from the wait list.

You can sign up to receive a promocode for discounted tickets by visiting jackolanterns.com/discounts and submitting your email address. An automatic email will be sent to you with your promocode. The discount amount varies by date and time.  There are a limited number of discounted tickets available per promocode to select dates and time slots. Tickets sell out quickly so get yours now before they’re gone!

Please read our Refunds and Exchanges Policy for more information. 

IMPORTANT: If your party is arriving in more than one vehicle, you're going to all want to park in the same parking lot.  We recommend that you stay in contact with your other party via phone or text.  The first car arriving should alert the next car as to which parking lot they are in (either Lot A or Lot B).  When the second car arrives, they should ask the first parking staff they see to park in that same lot.  If you're all in the same parking lot, you will enter the trail loop at the same location.  If your cars are in different lots, you will enter the trail at different locations and it will be unlikely that you will meet up with the rest of your party.

Also - If your friends have tickets for the same night as you but have a different timeslot, you all can go in together BUT you MUST go in at the later timeslot. You could always enter later than your timeslot, just not earlier.

The RISE is a combat-veteran-owned small business.  Veterans and active duty members can sign up for a promocode for discount tickets through this link: http://www.jackolanterns.com/military

The discount prices offered to everyone on our website using a promocode are usually the best prices available.  However, if you have 50 or more people we may be able to offer an additional 5% off for most Sunday - Thursday tickets. 

If you have 50 or more people and are considering a Sunday-Thursday visit, please contact us for more information.

All visitors must complete the trail within 1 hour and 15 minutes after the last timeslot of the evening.

Tickets are sold on a first-come first-served basis. There will be no holds placed on ticket orders.

After purchasing your tickets, you will be emailed a link to view and print your tickets. Your tickets will also be attached to the email in a PDF.  You do not need to print your tickets if you have a smartphone. However, you will need to SAVE your tickets on your smartphone PRIOR to arriving on-site because there's almost no cell service at the ticket scanning location. Right after you purchase your tickets, PLEASE print them OR save them on your phone so you can avoid issues trying to download them once you're on-site. Tickets are not sent in the mail. We do not hold or sell tickets at the door.

Yes! We pre-sell all of our tickets so we can limit the number of people who are on the trail at any given time. It's a safety thing. We will not be selling tickets at the door.  You can purchase your tickets on the Buy Tickets page. You can also sign up for a promocode to get discounted tickets by visiting jackolanterns.com/discounts.

You will need to SAVE your tickets on your smartphone PRIOR to arriving on-site because there's almost no cell service at the ticket scanning location. Right after you purchase your tickets, PLEASE print them OR save them on your phone so you can avoid issues trying to download them once you're on-site.

This is likely because you are trying to obtain more tickets than what we have remaining for a particular date/time.  You may need to select a different date/time that can accommodate your whole party.

Tickets go on sale to the general public at some point in July or August. Tickets will be made available first to anyone who signs up for a promocode on our website. Be sure to sign up with your email so we can notify you when tickets are available!

An automatic email with a link to print your tickets is sent to you right after you place your order. If you’ve placed your order and haven't received this email, CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER.  Be sure to check the email account that you gave us when purchasing your tickets. You can also log in to our website to view and print your tickets using the email address you gave us and the password you created when completing your order.  The login page is here: http://www.jackolanterns.com/login. Please print or download your tickets PRIOR to arriving on-site because there is almost no cell phone reception where we are scanning tickets.

The promocode email is sent to you immediately after you submit your email address. If you signed up for a promocode and haven't gotten an email back, it's likely in your SPAM FOLDER. Please check there. If you didn't receive your promocode and it's not in your spam folder, there may have been a typo when you submitted your email address. Try submitting your email address again by visiting jackolanterns.com/discounts.