explore minnesota | on our minds | the great pumpkin, minnesota | hundreds of pumpkins lit up with multiple colored lights, some hang from trees.

interview with diana hein and brian christensen of the minnesota zoo

The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is more than just a pumpkin display. It’s a magical art installation featuring over 5,000 carved, glowing pumpkins along a woodsy walking trail. For the most elaborate pumpkins, the art studio will complete around 600 artistically carved pumpkins, called “intricates,” throughout the duration of the event.

These are not one-and-done art pieces. The pumpkins are continuously reviewed and pulled once they begin to rot, and new, freshly carved pumpkins are placed on the trail. Weather conditions impact how long the pumpkins last, but 50-200 classic jack-o-lanterns and 8-20 intricates can be replaced every day. With pumpkin carving artists continuously working on new pumpkins, repeat visitors are sure to find new favorites!

The Minnesota Zoo’s Communications and Media Relations Manager, Diana Hein, and the Art Studio Manager (or Head Pumpkin, as we’ve internally dubbed), Brian Christensen, share what makes this event truly Spectacular.

a pumpkin intricately carved with a sorcerer and his staff sits on a pedestal in front of a giant book reading "The Fellowship of the Ring."

how is each year’s theme, theme sections, and pumpkin designs selected?

DH: Early in the planning process, a team of Zoo staff gathers to brainstorm ideas for the overall theme. We focus on topics that celebrate the season, inspire fun, and entice connections with our guests. It’s a collective and lively discussion that brings out everyone’s enthusiasm for Halloween! Then the artists take over and use the theme and ideas as inspiration to create their intricate designs.

BC: It’s a creative brainstorm from literally dozens of people. Our focus is to keep the subject matter relevant and inclusive of our entire audience, while making sure everyone who visits the show leaves astonished. The artists have free reign over designs - within certain parameters. We aim to make the artwork family-friendly and not too scary.

DH: This year, the theme is “What Goes Bump in the Night,” which adds a playful nighttime mystery element.

a large gathering of smaller carved pumpkins, light yellow and orange, displayed around one smiling face on a giant pumpkin that's lit cyan.

what other offerings and activities are at the event?

DH: There are numerous opportunities for memorable photos, seasonal gift shops and face painting. You can also dance the night away with the DJ hosted Monster Mash or join a silent dance party!

We're brewing up so many seasonal treats and sweets! You’ve got to get your claws on Howlin’ Hot Chocolate, this year’s specialty beverage. Come hungry and enjoy some of our favorites — the mummy apple wraps, pumpkin spice donut bites, BOO-tine and sugar skull s’mores.

an intricately carved pumpkin of a loon spreading it's wings on the water with a rising moon. Blue, yellow, and magenta color lights the trees.

are there any new features in 2025?

DH: New this year, the trail features an expanded, one-way route to provide even better views of the pumpkins.

This is also the first year of the “All Tricks, No Tykes Adult Nights”, where you can experience the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in an adult-only setting. On September 26 and October 31, the ages 18+ experience includes live music, a magic show and limited attendance for a more relaxed setting. Costumes are encouraged (but please leave full-faced costume masks at home).

fun fact corner

FOR THE MINNESOTA TRIVIA FANATIC

all 5,000+ pumpkins are locally-sourced from crazy legs farm in farmington.

assuming “pumpkin” is not the artists’ full-time jobs, what specialties/mediums do they usually work in?

DH: We typically have between 15-25 artists each year, the majority of which return annually. These artists have a wide variety of life circumstances and backgrounds. Some are tattoo artists, graphic designers, teachers, students, mural artists, animators, hospitality workers, and the list goes on. Some do a few pumpkins each season and others make it their full-time gig for the season.

how many people are carving each day?

BC: On a normal day we have between 5-8 artists working. We wait all year for this and love doing it, so everyone is always in a good mood and happy to see one another, but when it’s crunch time we just throw in some earbuds and get to work.

Social Reel still: a scene from the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular with pumpkins glowing and a giant Eiffel Tower sculpture.

GET A SPECTACULAR SNEAK PEEK

what’s all in your pumpkin carving kit?

BC: We carve in an unconventional manner, so everything in my carving kit goes beyond the standard carving kit! Sandpaper, cotton swabs, paper towel, paint brushes, markers, hole puncher, Phillips head drill bit, carving tools — by carving tools I’m talking about a sharpened bobby pin glued to a stick! We will also use sharpened clay sculpting tools.

a pumpkin carved intricately of a person rowing a canoe in open water. trees are lit up behind it in blues, greens, and magentas.

what are the steps in the jack-o-lantern spectacular carving process?

BC: Things do vary marginally between artists, but generally, we start by drawing and painting an image on a pumpkin using alcohol-based black ink. The ink prevents light from coming through the pumpkin, so it's used for shadows. After that, the artist will take whatever tools they use and carefully remove the skin of the pumpkin in the highlight areas of their image.

To ease transitions, sandpaper is used to thin the pumpkin skin. If the image requires stars in the sky or something, they will use a hole puncher or a screwdriver bit to just poke through the skin. The smallest damage to the skin will reveal more light.

a person in an all black jumpsuit, wears a pumpkin mask, and dances awkwardly, moving up and down and snapping side to side.

what’s the fastest pumpkin you’ve ever carved? the slowest?

BC: Fastest - 20 minutes. Slowest - 32 hours.

what’s your favorite pumpkin dish?

BC: Pumpkin Bars are my favorite pumpkin dish, but they might just be my favorite food altogether!

small pumpkins carved with faces climb trees and blanket the ground. One larger pumpkin has a spooky smile and is lit orange.

true or false: pumpkin spice lattes are delicious.

BC: True. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are truly delicious!

what’s your favorite thing about the jack-o-lantern spectacular?

BC: The magic. Walking through those woods at night with the glow of thousands of pumpkins all staring at you is truly amazing.

use glow sticks or light bulbs instead of candles!

what are some tip for home carvers?

BC: Make sure to gut out your pumpkins completely because that wet stuff breeds bacteria fast. Also, try a drywall saw for cutting your faces — they have less of a chance of getting stuck in the pumpkin. At the end, have some fun with the lighting by ditching the candles and swapping for glow sticks or light bulbs instead.

do you have any secrets for keeping pumpkins fresh longer?

BC: Nope! After trying everything under the sun, the best way to have a fresh pumpkin is to carve a new one!!

Youtube Video still: an arrangement of small to large glowing carved pumpkins, with colorful smoke billowing around them.

SET THE MOOD: JACK-O-LANTERN AMBIENCE

how difficult is the terrain for the event?

DH: The trail involves approximately a 1/2 mile walk, including a 10-minute walk (≈1/4 mile) from Celebration Plaza to the trail, then another 1/4 mile through the pumpkin path. It includes elevation changes and a considerable incline, though the trail is accessible to visitors using mobility assistive devices.

The Zoo rents standard and extended wheelchairs and motorized ECVs on a first-come basis. Strollers and wagons are also welcome.

one pumpkins intricately carved with two flamingoes twisting their necks for a beak peck. A giant mechanical blue butterfly glows in the background.

how easy is it to navigate within the event itself? are there any precautions to avoid overcrowding?

DH: This year’s event features an expanded one-way trail route to improve guest flow and viewing space. Event tickets must be purchased online, which will guide your trail entry. If you prefer less crowds, consider visiting on a weeknight. Additionally, for those wanting a calmer experience, Access Nights on October 1–2 offer reduced sensory effects (music, lighting, fog) and lowered capacity.

tips for families with young kids

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your time slot to enjoy dinner and activities before experiencing the trail.

Be ready for walking and variable terrain — comfortable footwear and layered clothing are recommended as it is a rain or shine outdoor event.

The Halloween event is family-friendly. It’s not a haunted experience — pumpkin designs are more delightful than frightful!

FIND MORE SPOOKTACULAR FUN

waste not

Some employees will take the pumpkin seeds to bake at home or plant the next year, but most of the guts are thrown in the Zoo compost. This is helpful to the balance of the compost which is composed of very dry material usually. The old pumpkins are also added to the Zoo's on-site compost.