Imagine all of the coziness of fall mixed with loads of Halloween fun and singing pumpkins—that’s what you’ll find at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience. And after visiting with my family, I can genuinely say it’s an experience all ages will love. From the 45-minute walk-through displays of intricately designed, mind-blowing Jack O’Lanterns to the fall festival of pumpkin picking and live music, this is a must-do to get into the Halloween spirit. Read on for what to know before you go. And if you want more pumpkin fun, visit the best pumpkin-picking patches and farms in NJ. (feature photo credit: NJ MOM)
The Jack O’Lantern Experience
The Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience Ferris wheel is over 20 feet tall. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Entering the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience
As we entered Skylands Stadium, we were greeted by three singing pumpkins (yes, pumpkins!) belting out songs to the crowd. We started walking through a tunnel of dancing lights and headed straight toward a colossal Ferris wheel full of lit Jack O’ Lanterns intricately carved as Halloween-themed music rang in our ears in the background. Overhead were mini carved pumpkins dangling from the trees above, smiling down on us. My kids heard the roars of dinosaurs, and as we continued on the path, my dino-loving kids were thrilled to see T-Rex and more made entirely out of pumpkins. The next stop was a castle filled with Disney-themed pumpkins full of delicate detail only an experienced carver could create.
The detail in the pumpkins at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience is impressive. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Blazing through happy hauntings
As we wandered deeper into the display, we saw a graveyard, more Jack O’Lanterns, and a spooky pumpkin-carved skeleton on a motorcycle. There were pumpkin faces, planets, and even a pumpkin head on a scarecrow—it was a dizzying assortment of the most fantastic art carved onto the orange gourds. By the end of this display, we all agreed our favorite was the massive Day of the Dead pumpkin face surrounded by more miniature pumpkins illuminated with colorful lights.
You’ll be in awe at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Hitting a Halloween home run
We came to another flashing light tunnel, which led us inside the Skylands Stadium, where there was a fantastic display. My kids immediately recognized the Sponge Bob Squarepants’ carved character surrounded by pumpkins transformed into jellyfish, sea turtles, and sharks. The stands were filled with pumpkins carved into seashell shapes, designer logos like Gucci, and silly faces that seemed to watch us as we walked on the field. When we went past the dugout, we saw an adorable pumpkin baseball team hanging out with baseball hats made of (you guessed it) pumpkins. Next, we wandered down the path and made our way into the safari to see pumpkin giraffes, and then we turned the corner and saw some friendly characters from Frozen. Finally, we came face to face with a huge pumpkin dragon full of beautifully carved detail with light spilling out from all angles. As we went to the end of the display, we entered the bustling nighttime fall festival for the whole family on the baseball field.
The outdoor fall festival was s’more fun at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Staying for s’more family fun
As we walked into the festival on the baseball field, it was exciting to see all of the new additions, including a new corn maze, bounce house, pumpkin patch, bowling, trains, photo ops, and mining sluicing. A carnival trailer was also available with games like basketball hoops and tin cans, which we could knock over. We could also hear live music in the pavilion and at the Beer Garden. And the fun didn’t stop there—my kids participated in the pumpkin pick and paint and then headed to the fire pits to heat up marshmallows from the family s’more packets (this is available both inside and outside the pavilion). We all had a warm cup of cocoa and then ran to the yard games. At the end of the night, my kids were definitely feeling the Halloween spirit, but most of all, we felt inspired to up our pumpkin carving game this year.
Walk through the spooky Jack-O-Lantern Experience with the whole family, Photo Credit: NJ MOM
What to know before you go
The Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience runs for 30 days from September 20-November 3, 2024. There are new additions for 2024, including a corn maze created in partnership with Lentini Farms. Look out for bounce houses, bowling games, a train, photo ops, and mining sluicing on the baseball field. The Jack O’Lantern Experience has openings from 7 PM to 8:45 PM. Tickets must be purchased in advance online and are $24 per person; kids 36″ and under are free. The VIP ticket, which includes one drink token, a VIP badge, and the ability to enter at any time with no lines, is $39 per person (the price guarantees admission for any night during any time slot, even if the event is sold out). Late-night tickets are $19 per person. Parking is free, they allow strollers, and this is a rain-or-shine event.
Get illuminated and get inspired at the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
For more information about the Jack O’Lantern Experience at Skylands Stadium, visit the website, Facebook page, and Instagram.
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