The beloved Hudson Valley Halloween tradition is back for 2026 with thousands of glowing pumpkins, new displays, and the longest illuminated trail in Blaze history.
At a Glance
- The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is back for its 2026 season at historic Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson.
- This year brings the longest trail in Blaze history, with over 7,000 glowing, hand-carved pumpkins.
- The trail runs more than half a mile across 10 acres of historic grounds.
- New displays and experiences
- Tickets start at $24 on select evenings, with advance booking recommended
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What’s New at The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in 2026
Sleepy Hollow Country is always one of the best places in Westchester for Halloween fun, and The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is one of the reasons. It returns to Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson on September 18, with the longest trail of illuminated pumpkin displays in the event’s history.
If you’ve never been, the basic idea is quite simple and yet, somehow still stunning every time: more than 7,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns are lit and set to music, and spread across 10 acres of historic grounds.
If you caught it last fall, what’s new this year will make you want to return. The Creature Feature Forest is going to be a favorite this season. Van Cortlandt Manor was home to a drive-in movie theater back in the mid-20th century, and this section focuses on that history with a whole cast of classic movie monsters carved entirely out of pumpkins. A little further along, Literary Lane gives familiar children’s fables a new glow. And to top that off, on the lawn in front of the manor house, there’s now an interactive dance party.
VIP Stops
Both of the trailside VIP experiences are back with brand-new menus.
The Gourd & Goblet Tavern is the sit-down one, tucked inside a restored 18th-century inn right along the trail. There is table service, cocktails and mocktails, snacks, and candlelight. It’s recommended for 18+.
The Headless Horseman’s Hideaway is the all-ages version, with festive snacks, cocktails or mocktails, plus photo ops with the Horseman.
New this year is the Monster’s Mug, a pop-up along the path for a quick drink. Great if you could use something warm, but don’t want a sit-down dinner.
Ticket Info
The Blaze expanded its value pricing this year, and tickets are just $24 on select evenings.
A few other things to know:
- Buy in advance. Capacity is limited, and these dates sell out, every single year.
- Kids 2 and under get in free.
- FLEX and FLEX PLUS tickets don’t require a reservation, so they’re the flexible option if your weekends tend to fall apart.
- Historic Hudson Valley members get free standard admission.
- The Gourd & Goblet Tavern and The Headless Horseman’s Hideaway both need separate tickets.
Blaze: Hudson Valley 2026 dates: September 18–20 and 25–30, October 1–31, and November 1 and 6–8. See full details and get tickets.
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