Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns

Rise of the Jack O'Lantern Ratings

2014 in Descanso Gardens
2015 in Santa Anita Park
2016 at Los Angeles Convention Center

Hollywood Gothique Says:

This was a truly excellent and unique Halloween experience when situated within the lovely Descanso Gardens, but it lost its magical flavor in less suitable locations.

Website: therise.org

After haunting Los Angeles for a few years, Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns went on hiatus as a branded event, though it sometimes lends a hand to other haunts and it continues to present annual Halloween events in New York. It has been replaced in Los Angeles by a similar event at King Gillette Ranch, called Nights of the Jack: A Halloween Jack O’Lantern Experience, which is reviewed here.

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns Information

This unusual Halloween event is invites visitors to view over 5,000 Jack O’Lanterns arranged in themed installations, accompanied by original music. The Jack O’Lantern carvings feature traditional Halloween imagery, celebrities, and a variety of themes: city skylines, movie and television stars, skeletons, and mythical creatures.

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns is essentially an art exhibition. There are no mechanical pop-scares or costumed actors, just gorgeous sights and sounds. The atmosphere is old-school Halloween fun, sometimes spooky but never scary.

Viewing the displays can take anywhere from 45 to 75 minutes, depending on how long one pauses to gaze in wonder. A limited number of tickets is sold for each night, to prevent over-crowding. Tickets are sold in advance only, valid for specific dates and times, with groups allowed in at fifteen-minute intervals.

Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns first launched in Long Island, New York. Its success led to openings in Los Angeles and San Diego. In 2015, Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns expanded to two locations in Los Angeles. Since 2017, the event has taken place only in New York; meanwhile, in Los Angeles Night of the Jack: A Halloween Jack O’Lantern Experience emulates Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns in all but name.