Looking for a spooktacular way to spend an evening? Pumpkins After Dark has taken over Wesley Clover Park with over 6,000 pumpkins to get you in the Halloween mood.
Your journey starts with food trucks, live pumpkin carvings and a photo ops tent, before heading out along the pumpkin path.
Wide enough for groups, the path is a mix of pavement and crushed gravel. Twinkle lights and pumpkins guide you along, as you navigate from one scene to another. Pumpkin art installations are displayed along a winding pathway that’s about a kilometre in length; plan for 1-2 hours to take it all in. One of the not-to-miss highlights is the pumpkin tunnels, where you can see the carved pumpkins up close. While not *real* pumpkins, they are designed and hand-carved in Canada.
Photo: Hannah Manning.
Enter Jurassic Park and see giant dinosaurs; catch up with animated friends from Frozen, Toy Story and The Nightmare Before Christmas; creep through a haunted graveyard to the sounds of “Thriller”; check out your favourite Marvel and DC superheroes, and more!
Pumpkins After Dark has partnered with the Ottawa Senators Community Foundation, so keep your eyes out for a jack-0-lantern Spartacat. Donations supporting programs for youth and underserved children are accepted at one of the Senators Community Foundations digital donation spots.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly event or a date night activity, Pumpkins After Dark is a sweet treat that focuses more on the magic of Halloween than the scary stories. Roaming performances enhance the evening, but there’s no fear of jump scares.
Pumpkins After Dark is the result of a team working year-round designing, carving, and building the pumpkin displays. A combination of synthetic and organic pumpkins are carefully carved using 2D and 3D techniques before being combined into a larger piece of art. Whether you’re inspired by the classic designs or looking to try your hand at one of the intricate displays, you can buy a pumpkin on your way out.
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Pumpkins After Dark is open on evenings after sunset from Thursday to Sunday until Oct. 31. Youth, adult and family pass tickets are available online. The walk-through event takes place at Wesley Clover Parks (401 Corkstown Road). Portapotties, including at least one accessible toilet, are available on site. The event runs rain, snow, or shine and is primarily outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather.
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