Jack-O-Lanterns Light Up the Night at Descanso Gardens Carved Event

Just in time for shorter days, beautifully carved pumpkins light up the night on a one-mile path through the Camellia Forest and Oak Grove at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge this Halloween season.

According to Jennifer Errico, Director of Marketing for Descanso Gardens, this year’s Carved Experience includes more than three times as many pumpkin displays as in previous years. “If you liked Carved in previous years, you’ll love it, even more, this year we sped it all up.”

“There are more pumpkins, more lights, and a great new UV-lit art installation.” Visitors will also enjoy an expanded area near the grove with a hay maze and a pumpkin house made from pumpkins and gourds by the gardens’ horticultural staff.

Of course, there are always the custom-carved 200-pound pumpkins, which are continually created by artists throughout the event. Artists have to constantly create new pumpkins because they only last 4-5 days once opened.

Another problem is squirrels.

The squirrels at Descanso Gardens enjoy the carved event just as much as humans do, but for a different reason they like to munch on the tasty pumpkins. The staff even tried to coat the pumpkins in vinegar with little success.

But their appetite for pumpkin has an upside; it allows visitors to watch the artists at work as they attempt to keep up with the squirrels’ appetites throughout the event.