Kids ages 12 and under can enjoy the Halloween season with fewer scares at the Jack-o-Lantern Trail. This event is a great way to mix some Halloween fun in with all the cool things at McConnell Springs!
2025 Jack-o-Lantern Trail Hike Nights
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 | Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 | Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 | Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
Trail times: 6:30 – 10 p.m. (gates close at 9:30 p.m.)
Admission: $6 per person at the gate (children 12 and under free)
Enjoy an enchanting Halloween experience at McConnell Springs Park featuring hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins as they light up the night. In addition to marveling at the glow of the pumpkins, there will be campfires and s’mores, live owls from Critters in the Classroom and tasty fall food and beverages. Perfect for all ages, this night hike will be a great event for all.
Jack-o-lantern donation for the event
Show your pumpkin carving skills and take the Pumpkin Pledge to help bring this exciting Halloween experience to the community. We would like to have at least 1,000 carved pumpkins to line the half-mile trail at McConnell Springs, but without you, we have no trail! If you donate the carved jack-o-lantern, Parks will take care of lighting it. People can donate a single pumpkin, or groups can plan a special concept pumpkin grouping or sculpture. The sky is the limit for creativity and participation!
Pumpkins need to be carved and dropped off between Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, and Wednesday, Oct. 22, before 5 p.m. to ensure freshness throughout the event.
What’s in it for you? The Jack-o-lantern Trail has become one of our most popular community events! The participants who have donated a carved pumpkin love visiting the trail and trying to find their creation, in addition to seeing everyone else’s handiwork. Additionally, this is a ticketed event for the general public, but everyone who donates a carved pumpkin will receive a voucher to attend, in addition to a special-edition Cricket Press poster commemorating the event.
Have questions? Contact us at aluallen@lexingtonky.gov or (859) 288-2925.
Otherwise, pledge your jack-o-lantern, and we will send you more information, drop-off instructions and voucher information as the event approaches. Thank you in advance for your participation!
*Pledge your pumpkin registration coming soon.
McConnell Springs (416 Rebmann Lane)
- Sunday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
You may place your jack-o-lantern on the trail yourself or leave it on the porch, and Parks & Recreation staff will place it for you. Parks will provide the lights for the lanterns.
Remember to pick up your Cricket Press Jack-o-lantern Trail 2025 poster and get the link to sign up for free admission to the trail when you drop off your lantern!
