Glowing Pumpkins in Tucson. Are you looking for family friendly events around Tucson this October?! We recently visited Glowing Pumpkins at Tohono Chul Park in Tucson and it was a great way to welcome in the Fall Season!
Imagine a serene desert evening as the sun sets in the western sky. As you park onsite and make your way to the entrance, the cactus, trees, and other flora are colorfully illuminated, lighting your path. As you meander through the marked pathway, seasonal sound effects and an orange glow reveal hand-carved art pumpkins made into jack-o-lanterns, sculptures, and more. This is what you will experience at Glowing Pumpkins!
Glowing Pumpkins is a family-friendly event, appropriate for all ages (and free for those 2 and under!). There are no spooks, strobe lights, or jump-scares in this event; just a light-hearted glow in the desert. We saw people of all ages, strollers and wheelchairs, but it is important to note that not all pathways are paved and there are uneven surfaces.
We were also cautioned by staff as we entered to keep an eye out for rattlesnakes as this event is set in a preserved desert area. Most pathways were well lit but some areas are a bit darker– it would be fun to bring flashlights or glow necklaces! The setting at Tohono Chul greatly enhances the overall experience and was fun for the kids to feel like they were on an adventure in the desert. (And this is where the new children’s museum can be found too. Learn more here!)
While the website says it takes 30-50 minutes to make your way through the path, it took our family of four a full hour. The awesome Glowing Pumpkins arch at the beginning of the path was a popular spot for family photos and people took pictures of the pumpkins and sculptures throughout, which sometimes held up the flow of traffic for a minute or two.
It’s good to know ahead of time that there are bathrooms before the entrance, at the courtyard where the food, drink, and merchandise are located, and at the farthest point on the trail in the Children’s Museum area. Helpful staff roam through the event and are wearing Glowing Pumpkins t-shirts if you have any questions along the way!
Our kids were initially bummed to discover the pumpkins were not real but quickly recovered when we explained that they are still hand-carved by artists and that they couldn’t use real ones because the event lasts until the 31st of October. Some of the pumpkins took days to create and you can learn more about how they are made in this video.
We were all impressed as we admired the carving work of some of our favorite characters from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Disney Princesses and more. My 9-year-old’s favorite was the Superhero section and leaving the event, we all felt excited for the Fall season ahead!
Glowing Pumpkins in Tucson is now open and runs Wednesday-Sunday evenings through the end of October. Ticket prices range based on the day and time, from just over $11 for children up to $27 for VIP tickets. We loved going at dusk and enjoyed an epic Arizona sunset as well! Glowing Pumpkins is located at Tohono Chul Park at 7366 N Paseo Del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704 and you can find more details and FAQs on their website.
More great things to do in Tucson can be found here!
