Halloween 2026: The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor — 7,000 Glowing Pumpkins in Croton-on-Hudson, NY

If there is one fall outing worth planning ahead for, this is it. Every autumn, thousands of hand-carved pumpkins light up the historic grounds of Van Cortlandt Manor along the Hudson River — dinosaurs, carousels, sea serpents, even a Pumpkin Planetarium, all glowing. Tickets sell out every single year, and with the season running through November 8, now is the moment to grab your timed entry.

## 📍 Place

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor — 525 S. Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. Presented by Historic Hudson Valley (the same folks behind Sleepy Hollow's Halloween traditions), the Blaze turns the 18th-century manor grounds into a self-guided nighttime trail lined with more than 7,000 illuminated jack-o'-lanterns. The walk takes about 45 to 90 minutes, and the whole event is outdoors, rain or shine.

For 2026 the trail is the longest in the event's history, with 23 themed areas. New this year: Creature Feature Forest (movie monsters carved from pumpkins, a nod to the manor's days as a drive-in theater), Literary Lane (storybook scenes), a Manor House Dance Party, and Creature's Cantina — plus returning favorites like the Pumpkin Carousel, the dinosaurs, and the Pumpkin Planetarium. The Gourd & Goblet Tavern (an adults-only 18th-century tavern experience) and the Headless Horseman's Hideaway (all ages, with Legend-inspired drinks and a visit from the Horseman himself) return as add-ons.

## 🚗 Drive Time

## 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What Adults Can Do

- Savor the artistry. More than 7,000 pumpkins carved by hand (with help from 1,000+ volunteers) — the craftsmanship is genuinely jaw-dropping.

- Book the Gourd & Goblet Tavern. The adults-only (18+) VIP experience inside an 18th-century brick tavern: signature cocktails, savory and sweet bites, table service, and tavern games. It sold out every night last season.

- Visit the Headless Horseman's Hideaway. A pop-up lounge with Legend-inspired drinks and German-style snacks — all ages welcome.

- Shop the Blaze Shop. Blaze-themed merch plus beer and cider from local breweries (Captain Lawrence Brewing, Hudson North Cider Co.) on the way out.

- Make it a Sleepy Hollow date-night combo. Dinner in nearby Tarrytown before the walk turns this into a proper evening.

## 🧭 Things to Do Nearby

- Sleepy Hollow. The village itself is minutes away — the Headless Horseman Bridge, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and a very festive Main Street in October.

- Downtown Tarrytown. Restaurants and cafés for dinner before or after your entry time.

- Croton Point Park. A Hudson River waterfront park in Croton — a nice daytime picnic stop before an evening Blaze visit.

- Cider donuts season. October means fresh cider donuts at farm stands across Westchester — ask at the manor; locals know the best spots.

## 🎟️ Know Before You Go

- Dates: September 18 – November 8, 2026. Open every night in October; select evenings in September and November.

- Tickets: Advance purchase ONLY — nothing is sold at the gate. Basic timed-entry tickets start at $24 on select evenings; standard tickets run $32 adults / $31 seniors / $24 children ages 3–17, and children 2 and under are free.

- Sold out? FLEX tickets (from $129) get you in on any open night with no reservation; FLEX PLUS (from $189) adds both VIP experiences. Both are limited.

- Good to know: Dress warmly — it's a long outdoor walk on an autumn night by the river. Layer up, wear comfy shoes, and bring a stroller if you have a toddler.

Photo credits: Pexels (Pexels License).

About 40–50 minutes from Tenafly / Fort Lee / Palisades Park — straight up the Palisades Interstate Parkway area toward Westchester. Parking is available on site, and parking lots open 30 minutes before your ticketed time. Bonus: Croton-Harmon is right on Metro-North's Hudson Line, a short walk from the manor — an easy option if you'd rather skip driving.

## 👶 What Kids Can Do

- Walk the glowing trail. The self-guided path is stroller-friendly and paced so little legs can manage it — kids love spotting their favorite creatures and counting the dinosaurs.

- Wave at the Pumpkin Carousel. The spinning pumpkin carousel is a Blaze signature and a guaranteed photo moment.

- Look for storybook characters at Literary Lane. New for 2026 — fairy-tale scenes carved to look like they've stepped off the page.

- Join the Manor House Dance Party. An interactive lawn dance party in front of the historic manor house — great for burning off wiggles.

- Snap selfies at Creature Feature Forest. Classic movie monsters, carved in pumpkin — fun, not scary.

- Grab a Monster's Mug. The new trailside drink stand is a good mid-walk warm-up stop.