Bronx Zoo Harvest Glow Returns With Dinosaurs, Jack-O-Lanterns, and More Family Fun

TalkTeaV
4 days ago
2 min read

Families can experience glowing pumpkins, animatronic dinosaurs, and seasonal entertainment this fall in the Bronx.

Image of Pumpkin Nights Trail at The Bronx Zoo: Courtesy of Terria Clay WCS — Courtesy of WCS

The Bronx Zoo’s annual Boo-At-The-Zoo Halloween celebration, Harvest Glow, will light up Thursday through Sunday nights from September 25 to October 31, 2025. The event transforms the zoo after dark with 5,000 glowing jack-o’-lanterns, more than 60 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and pterosaurs, live pumpkin carving, and activities designed for kids and families. Timed tickets are required for entry at the Bronx River Gate.

Visitors can follow an immersive, animal-themed trail where nocturnal creatures appear in glowing form, from Arctic wolves to ocean life that glows under the sea. Each pumpkin is carved with intricate detail and paired with dramatic lighting, music, and special effects.

The nighttime atmosphere extends into the Dinosaur Safari, where guests can walk among towering dinosaurs and pterosaurs before the attraction closes for the season on November 2.

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Image of Live Pumpkin Carving at The Bronx Zoo: Courtesy of Terria Clay WCS — Courtesy of WCS

The festival expands this year with fan favorites like live pumpkin carving demonstrations, face painting, games, and illuminated characters ready for photos. Local food trucks and zoo concessions will be on hand, and families can also catch performances from the Wildlife Theater, which brings animal-inspired stories to life. Organizers say the space is designed to be safe and not too spooky, making it ideal for children.

Harvest Glow is a separate ticketed event from the daytime zoo admission. Entry runs from 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. on September 25 through October 12, then shifts slightly earlier to 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. from October 16 through Halloween night. Last entry is at 9:15 p.m. Tickets cost $34.95 for adults and $24.95 for children ages 3 to 12, with Wildlife Conservation Society members receiving a 40 percent discount.

Image of Live Skeleton Characters on the Pumpkin Nights Trail at The Bronx Zoo: Courtesy of Terria Clay WCS — Courtesy of WCS

In addition to Harvest Glow, the Bronx Zoo will host its daytime Boo at the Zoo program on weekends from September 27 through October 26, plus Monday, October 13. Both events continue the zoo’s long tradition of celebrating the season while highlighting its conservation mission across its 265-acre grounds in Bronx, New York.

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