The Great Pumpkin Blaze/The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze:
You Won’t Believe Your Eyes
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, is the Tri-State Area’s Biggest Fall Event. Also known as “The Hudson Valley Blaze” or “The Great Pumpkin Blaze”, this event is first-rate and is only found in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island.
Would you believe that there are more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns on display at this event?
It’s true!
“The Great Pumpkin Blaze”, is one of the most extraordinary and stunning things you will see this Fall and Halloween season in the Hudson Valley.
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VISITING INFO:
September – November
Evenings after sunset
ADMISSION:
Starting at $24
WEBSITE:
https://hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze/
Experiencing The Great Pumpkin Blaze:
Things to Know before your Visit to the Blaze:
- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is a seasonal event and only occurs once a year.
- The event takes place rain or shine, so plan accordingly.
- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is an outdoor event.
- There is FREE on-site parking.
- It is suggested that you arrive 30 minutes before your entrance time.
Where does The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze take place?
The Great Pumpkin Blaze takes place in the historic village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County, NY.
The event takes place at the historic Van Cortlandt Manor, an 18th-century building that is a magnificent representation of life after the Revolutionary War and the time called, “The New Nation” Period in American history.
“All proceeds from the Blaze and other Halloween events support the programs of Historic Hudson Valley, a non-profit education organization.”
Hudsonvalley.org
Croton-on-Hudson is located in the town of Cortlandt and is situated in the north-western part of Westchester County.
This riverside town is located near Ossining, NY and Van Cortlandt Manor is easily found off of Route 9.
ADDRESS:
525 South Riverside Avenue
Croton-on-Hudson
When does The Great Pumpkin Blaze take place?
The Great Pumpkin Blaze takes place every year in Croton-on-Hudson, NY and for 2020, the event is also located on Long Island. During the evenings of this event, you can walk on the historic grounds of the Van Cortlandt Manor to view this one-of-a-kind display of carved pumpkins.
How much are the tickets to The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze?
Check their website for updated pricing info.
For reference, (at the time of this posting) the cost of a weekday ticket is:
- starting at $34 for an adult ticket (depending on date and time selected)
- starting at $24 for a child ticket (3-17 years)
*Weekend tickets and time slots earlier in the evening are set at a higher price range.
PRO-TIP:
Late night weekday time slots are the less expensive than weekend tickets.
How soon can I purchase tickets?
Tickets go on sale as early as September for the Great Pumpkin Blaze. My advise is to buy tickets early because many dates, especially weekend dates/times, sell out quickly.
How do I get to the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze?
By train: You can take the Metro-North train on the Hudson line from Grand Central to Croton-Harmon station. Van Cortlandt Manor is approximately a 20+ minute walk from the train station or a 5-7 minute taxi ride.
By car: Conveniently located off of Route 9, Van Cortlandt Manor is easily accessible by car.
Unique features about The Great Pumpkin Blaze:
This magnificent event showcases hand-carved pumpkins that are displayed and arranged to make spectacular figures, all set to thrilling Halloween music and synchronized to lights.
Are the pumpkins at ‘The Great Pumpkin Blaze’ real?
Some are and some aren’t.
Due to some of the design restrictions, some of the pumpkins carved are not real. Most importantly, though, that the pumpkins (whether real or not) are hand-carved for this amazing event.
The Great Pumpkin Blaze is a unique outdoor walking experience that showcases the talent of approximately 1,000 local artists. They have been very busy carving, arranging and lighting pumpkins in order to bring these creations to life for everyone to enjoy.
A Sample of Some of the pumpkin creations
Even though the thought of seeing 7,000+ carved pumpkins in one location is impressive enough, you can’t even begin to imagine some of the creations made with all of these carved jack o’lanterns.
Some of the awe-inspiring creations at the Hudson Valley Blaze include:
- A Medieval Castle
- The Pumpkin Zee Bridge
- Statue of Liberty
- Moving Pumpkin Carousel
- Windmill
- Dragon
- Dinosaur
- Pumpkin Planetarium
- My personal favorite, the spiderweb
- And many, many more…
More Info about The Hudson Valley Blaze
How long does it take to see everything at the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze?
Most people can walk through and enjoy the experience in about 45 minutes. Allow some extra time, especially on days when the event is more crowded.
THE GREAT JACK O’LANTERN BLAZE
525 South Riverside Avenue
Croton-on-Hudson, NY
914-366-6900
For current hours of admission, pricing and information, please check out their website.
Hudson Valley Fall Events
Reference my article all about Hudson Valley Fall Events for a full list events taking place during the Fall. Read this article before making any plans. The article is updated frequently, so make sure to bookmark it!
Tips for a Successful Visit to the Great Pumpkin Blaze:
- This is an outdoor walking event, so be prepared for the weather with appropriate attire and comfortable shoes.
- Parking is FREE at the event
- Masks are required for vaccinated individuals throughout the duration of the event.
- Strollers are permitted but some of the grounds are uneven and unpaved.
- Pets are not allowed at the event.
Until the Next Adventure…
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