If there is one fall experience in Westchester County that deserves a spot on your bucket list, it’s The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze: Hudson Valley in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
We recently visited the Blaze at historic Van Cortlandt Manor, and this is one of those experiences that really gets you into the Halloween spirit from the moment you arrive.
With more than 7,000 illuminated jack-o’-lanterns, 23 themed displays, incredible photo opportunities, music, food, drinks and plenty for the kids to see, it’s easy to understand why the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze has become one of the Hudson Valley’s signature fall attractions.
And yes — bring the kids! We went with our toddler and had such a fun night.
More Than 7,000 Illuminated Jack-O’-Lanterns
The star of the show is, of course, the pumpkins.
More than 7,000 illuminated jack-o’-lanterns transform the grounds of Van Cortlandt Manor into an incredible glowing Halloween world. The pumpkins are designed and hand-carved on site by the Blaze team, and they’re used to create everything from enormous sculptures to detailed scenes and larger-than-life characters.
For 2026, visitors can explore 23 themed areas, with a newly expanded trail, multimedia effects, lighting, music and plenty of surprises along the way.
There are pumpkins everywhere you look!
You’ll come across everything from dinosaurs and the Pumpkin Planetarium to a working pumpkin carousel, Hudson River-inspired scenes, storybook characters, movie monsters and more.
The lighting and original soundtrack make the entire experience feel completely immersive, especially once the sun goes down.
So Many Photo Opportunities
If you love taking fall and Halloween photos, make sure your phone is charged before you arrive.
There are photo opportunities throughout the entire trail, and we found ourselves constantly stopping to take pictures and videos. Between the glowing pumpkin sculptures, Halloween displays, lights and larger-than-life installations, there is always something new around the next corner.
For content creators, families or anyone looking for that perfect Hudson Valley fall photo, this place is basically one giant Halloween backdrop.
Our Favorite Part? The Pumpkin Dance Party!
One of the highlights of our visit was stopping along the trail for the pumpkin dance party.
There was a Halloween pumpkin DJ, music playing and everyone dancing. We ended up staying there for a while because we were having so much fun!
Our toddler absolutely loved it.
The official trail is approximately a half-mile long, and most visitors can walk through the Blaze in about 45 minutes. We spent a little over an hour because we stopped for photos, took our time looking at the displays and, of course, had to stop and dance.
There’s really no reason to rush through it.
Is the Pumpkin Blaze Toddler-Friendly?
Absolutely.
We found the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze to be a great fall activity for toddlers and young children because it’s visually exciting without being centered around scary haunted-house attractions.
Historic Hudson Valley recommends the experience for all ages, and children ages 2 and younger can enter free without a ticket.
We also brought a stroller and found it very manageable.
One thing parents should know is that the Pumpkin Trail is outdoors and unpaved. Although there are no stairs and the trail is wheelchair accessible, the terrain can include grass, gravel, woodchips, slopes and uneven areas. If you’re bringing a stroller, I would definitely recommend a sturdy one rather than a small lightweight stroller.
And make sure everyone wears comfortable walking shoes!
Come Hungry — There Are Plenty of Fall Treats
You can definitely make the food and drinks part of your Blaze experience.
During our visit, there were plenty of fall treats and seasonal options, including hot apple cider, hot chocolate, beer, spiked cider, popcorn, cookies, apple cider donuts, cupcakes and chocolate-covered Halloween treats.
There’s something about walking around on a cool fall night with thousands of glowing pumpkins while holding a hot cider that just feels like fall in the Hudson Valley.
There are also premium experiences available, including the Gourd & Goblet Tavern and Headless Horseman’s Hideaway, which offer additional food, drinks and themed experiences with special ticket options.
And before you leave, don’t forget to check out the Blaze Boo-tique gift shop. There is plenty of Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze merchandise, souvenirs and local finds to bring home.
Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze 2026 Dates, Location & Tickets
📍 Van Cortlandt Manor
525 S Riverside Avenue
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
📅 September 18 – November 8, 2026
Select evenings, with the Blaze open every night during October.
🎟️ Tickets start at $24
👶 Children 2 and under are FREE and do not need a ticket.
🚗 Parking is FREE.
Tickets are advance purchase only and are not sold on-site. Entry is timed, and hours vary depending on the night.
This is also an extremely popular Hudson Valley fall event, and individual dates and entry times do sell out, especially as Halloween gets closer. If you know which night you want to visit, I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance rather than waiting until the last minute.
Getting There From Westchester County & NYC
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze takes place right here in Croton-on-Hudson in northern Westchester County, making it an easy fall night out for families throughout Westchester, the Hudson Valley, New York City and nearby Connecticut.
If you’re coming from NYC without a car, you can take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Croton-Harmon Station. From the station, Van Cortlandt Manor is approximately a five-minute taxi or rideshare trip or about a 20-minute walk.
Is The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Worth Visiting?
For us, this is absolutely one of those Westchester fall traditions that makes the season feel special.
Between walking underneath thousands of glowing pumpkins, discovering the different themed areas, stopping for pictures, grabbing apple cider and donuts and dancing with a pumpkin DJ, we had such a fun night together.
It was especially nice being able to bring our toddler and experience something that both kids and adults can enjoy.
Plan for at least 45 minutes to walk the trail, but I recommend giving yourself closer to an hour or more if you like stopping for photos, snacks and the interactive experiences.
And don’t rush it!
Grab a hot cider, take plenty of pictures, dance with the pumpkins and enjoy one of the most unique Halloween experiences in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley.
Quick Guide: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Hudson Valley 2026
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
When: September 18 – November 8, 2026, select evenings
What: 7,000+ illuminated jack-o’-lanterns and 23 themed displays
Time Needed: Approximately 45 minutes; allow an hour or more if stopping for photos, food and activities
Kid-Friendly: Yes — recommended for all ages
Stroller-Friendly: Yes, but expect an outdoor, unpaved and sometimes uneven trail
Children: Ages 2 and under are free
Parking: Free
Tickets: Advance tickets are required; tickets start at $24
For current dates, entry times and tickets, visit the official Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze website.
