Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns is open at South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes for 2026, a family-friendly, all-ages Halloween walk lit by more than 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins. It runs select nights from September 18 through November 1, and tickets are on sale now.
The mile-long walking trail turns the garden’s pathways into a glowing landscape of pumpkin artistry and larger-than-life scenes. New for 2026 are a whimsical circus, a Dia de los Muertos tribute, and an under-the-sea journey, plus a synchronized pumpkin light show that lights up the trail every 30 minutes. Towering inflatables, interactive activities, and photo opportunities fill out the rest of the walk.
“This year’s show features thousands of hand-carved pumpkins along a beautiful trail, with radiant light displays and immersive scenes at every turn,” said General Manager Norberto Urrea.
This is a family outing rather than a scare event. Guests can add 3D Jack O’Lantern Glasses that turn points of light into glowing pumpkin images, or a S’mores Package for the fire pits, and the Fun Zone has a pumpkin-shaped bounce pad and oversized slides. Food and beverages are available throughout.
For families who benefit from reduced sensory stimulation, a low-sensory night runs Sunday, September 27, with a modified experience.
Dates and Hours
The show runs on select nights, not every night, and hours vary by date. Your ticket carries a timed entry, so plan to arrive around your window.
Here are the 2026 operating nights:
- September: Fri 18, Sat 19, Sun 20, Fri 25, Sat 26, Sun 27.
- October: Thu 1, Fri 2, Sat 3, Sun 4, Thu 8, Fri 9, Sat 10, Sun 11, Wed 14, Thu 15, Fri 16, Sat 17, Sun 18, Tue 20, Wed 21, Thu 22, Fri 23, Sat 24, Sun 25, Mon 26, Tue 27, Wed 28, Thu 29, Fri 30, Sat 31.
- November: Sun 1.
Tickets
Tickets start at $29.99 for adults and $24.99 for kids, including fees, on select nights. They are on sale now at magicofthejackolanterns.com. The event is presented by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, which operates 26 attractions across 17 U.S. cities.
Parking
There are two paid parking options plus rideshare. On-site parking at South Coast Botanic Garden is $25, bought in advance at checkout, and spots are limited. Off-site parking is $10.29 at 25851 Hawthorne Blvd, Rolling Hills Estates, with an ADA-accessible shuttle to the garden entrance. Rideshare is strongly encouraged, and the operator recommends entering the street address 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Peninsula, rather than the venue name, since some apps have not updated the new location.
This event is part of our Haunted Houses in California 2026 guide.
