The beloved family-friendly Halloween spectacle lights up La Cañada Flintridge with fresh artistry, returning favorites, and autumn enchantment.
Carved at Descanso Gardens has a way of sneaking up on the season and claiming it. As the sun dips behind the San Gabriels, the La Cañada Flintridge oasis trades its daytime hush for an autumn after-hours glow: a mile-long trail lined with lantern-lit pathways, theatrical lighting spilling across ancient oaks, and pumpkins — thousands of them — illuminating the night. This is not a haunted maze or a scream park; instead, it’s the artful, family-friendly side of Halloween, built for families and anyone who loves October at its most photogenic.
This year’s trail doubles down on the idea that a garden can be a gallery. Visitors will wander through an expanded Pumpkin Trail with new storybook-style vignettes and a bounty of hand-carved gourds — some of them impressively oversized. Harvest Acres turns into a snack-and-stroll hub where you can pause for seasonal treats before continuing into the nightscape. Along the way, the beloved Descanso Railroad gets in on the festivities, rolling through the grounds under special lighting that reframes familiar views in playful, ghost-train fashion.
But the pumpkins are only part of the story. Standing watch are five colossal “wood spirits” chiseled by Chainsaw Jenna, each one a towering totem hidden among the trees. Returning, too, is Rhizome, the intricate light sculpture by Tom and Lien Dekyvere, which stretches luminous threads through the branches, turning the forest canopy into a glowing web. New for 2025 are a handful of spectral characters — ghostly figures that surprise and charm as you round the bends. Taken together, the blend of artistry and atmosphere makes Carved feel not only like an event, but an immersive outdoor experience.
Carved isn’t purely about spectacle, either; it’s also about pacing. Timed entry ensures a steady flow rather than a crush of people, giving everyone the breathing room to linger for photos or let kids marvel at the jack-o’-lanterns. The event runs October 3rd through the 30th, with timed entries every 30 minutes from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Once inside, guests are free to stay until the 10:00 p.m. close. Parking is free, and tickets must be secured in advance. Members enjoy early access plus a $7 discount per ticket.
Ticket pricing ranges make the experience accessible: adults pay $27–$45 (non-members) or $20–$38 (members), while children ages 2–12 are $17–$30 (non-members) or $10–$23 (members). Kids under 2 enter free. Weeknight tickets tend to be lighter on both the wallet and the crowds, making them a smart pick for families.
The charm of Carved lies in how Descanso makes the most of its natural setting. Winding paths, shaded groves, and bridges become canvases for color and shadow. Every turn offers something fresh: a grove filled with glowing pumpkin-engraved faces, a clearing with scarecrow guardians, or a quiet alcove animated by flickering light. Past years have included Día de los Muertos altars near the end of the run, offering a poignant nod to remembrance as the season tilts toward November.
To the reassurance of many, what you won’t find here is gore or strobe-heavy horror. Carved leans into craft, wonder, and community, making it an inviting alternative to Southern California’s more fear-focused Halloween walk-throughs. Descanso’s premiere fall extravaganza is also equally suited to multigenerational outings, cozy date nights, or solo strolls with a camera in hand. Moreover, those inclined to take their experience up a notch might grab a bite from Harvest Acres or enjoy a sit-down dinner at Descanso’s Farmhouse restaurant, which will be open during event nights.
Not to mention, when the last pumpkins are extinguished and composted at month’s end, the gardens won’t stay dark for long. Descanso quickly pivots to its winter tradition, Enchanted Forest of Light, running November 16th through January 4th, 2026 (closed select nights). Whereas Carved celebrates harvest and Halloween, Enchanted delivers a resplendent holiday wonderland — together giving Angelenos two distinct reasons to keep Descanso on their calendars this season.
Overall, Carved 2025 offers fresh scenes, returning favorites, and that singular Descanso glow. It’s an autumn adventure that balances artistry with atmosphere, creating orange-blazing memories under the branches of one of Southern California’s most beloved gardens.
Cover image caption: A ghoulish pumpkin display celebrates the Halloween season at Carved in La Cañada Flintridge, CA. Photo by Kathryn Rapier.
For more information on Descanso Gardens’ Carved (Oct. 3 – 30) and to purchase tickets, visit descansogardens.org.
