Jack-O-Jaunt

Registration for the carve at home* & drop off will open on September 21, 2026 at 10 a.m.

*If you prefer to carve at home, we recommend carving your jack-o-lantern at home no more than 2 days (Wednesday, Oct 28) prior to the jaunt.  

The City's Recreation division will supply LED candles for all jack-o-lanterns. Registered workshop participants will receive 1 pumpkin and will have access to carving and decorating tools. 

Registering for this session means that you will carve your own Jack-O-Lantern at home and drop it off at Lytton Plaza to City of Palo Alto Recreation staff on Friday, October 30 between 3-5:30 p.m. 

Please note that if your jack-o-lantern is not dropped off by 5:30 p.m. it may not be considered in the judging. If you have registered for the workshop, you do not need to register for this as well. 

There will be 3 categories that the community will vote on:
Scariest
Cutest
Most Creative

All submissions must be a fresh/real pumpkin. Accessories can be fabricated materials, but the jack-o-lantern must be a real pumpkin. 

Registration for the workshop will open on September 21, 2026 at 10 a.m.

There is a $25 fee, per registration, for the workshop.

Registering for this session means that you will carve your own Jack-O-Lantern at Lytton Plaza on Friday, October 30 from 3-5 p.m. Please note that there will not be an instructor providing lessons. At the workshop, Recreation Staff will provide you with the following:

1) 1 uncarved pumpkin
2) 1 carving kit

We will have some other decorative items on hand. Please be sure to wear clothes that can get messy! 

If you have registered for the workshop, you do not need to register for the carve at home session as well. This on-site Carve Day is for all ages! Youth ages 12 and under must have a parent/guardian with them. All workshop Jack-O-Lanterns will be entered in the display and can be picked up that evening between 8:30-8:45 p.m.

There will be 3 categories that the community will vote on:
Scariest
Cutest
Most Creative