Hit the Road, Jack-o'-lantern
Immersive Halloween experience brings thousands of spooky, happy pumpkins to Austin this fall
Our wacky city is known for over-the-top immersive art, but this one takes the pumpkin pie. Pumpkin Nights have fallen on Austin again, with the second annual Halloween installation returning to Pioneer Farms.
About 5,000 pumpkins — some real and some plastic — are loaded into the historical Northeast Austin farmstead for a multitude of purposes. Many are carved and arranged in fanciful scenes, like a gnome forest, strung overhead for even more magical perspective, and many completely intact, lined up for photos or just appreciating their gourd-given fall beauty.
It’s not just a pile of pumpkins to look at. Pioneer Farms is a small village with houses, fields, and even a general store. The space is utilized cleverly, bringing the recreated historic town square to life with fire performers, face painting, live pumpkin carving, and food from local vendors such as South African Food Affair. Most nights appear basically the same on the schedule, but a tarot reader visits on Mondays and Thursdays.
Once visitors enter the half-mile winding path, the visual effects are the main show, augmented by colorful lighting, soundscapes, music, scented fog, and more creative touches. The path transports visitors through worlds that maintain a surprising amount of separation from each other, making them feel all the more immersive. Halfway through, an open field is transformed into a pit stop for yard games.
It's a little spooky and a lot playful, a good mix for a true all-ages event. Although on the surface it’s for families, visiting with friends doesn’t feel silly. The drama is undeniable, and the art embraces kitsch as well as it does the truly spectacular and mind-bending.
Pumpkin patches are not a new concept and neither is this; conceived in 2016 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, this is one of an emerging generation of super-involved jack-o'-lantern experiences often found in the Northeast, where fall and Halloween are aesthetic commitments that transform small towns.
This particular collection is unique in its traveling scale, having also visited Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and more. The semi-rural communities with their own permanent traditions have a wonderful charm, but cities like Austin and Dallas — the two Pumpkin Nights destinations for 2022 — can support a sudden caravan of pumpkins rolling through, without spending a significant portion of tourism planning on making it happen each year.
Tickets (starting at $14, kids under 3 free) for Pumpkin Nights in Austin and Dallas are available at pumpkinnights.com. Reservations start in 30 minute increments starting at 6 pm, but once in, visitors can stay for any length of time. The installation is open now through October 30, every day except Tuesdays.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri