Fall (spooky season) is hands down my favorite time of year, and my favorite seasonal pop-up is back! This month, I enjoyed attending media night at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up. I attend the Chicago event every year and each time look forward to what it offers – 2 acres of photo ops, carnival games, a large corn maze, axe throwing, and more. This year the pop-up will be open to the public until November 3. Read below for information about the aesthetic backgrounds, add-ons, and things to know before going!
Things to Do at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is the perfect Fall outing for friends, dates, and families. General admission includes the photo ops and the corn maze. The following items can be purchased in person or as add-ons:
- Food and beverage (varies)
- Pumpkin picking ($6-$9)
- Carnival games ($20)
- Axe throwing ($10 for 3 throws)
- Fortune tellers (varies)
- Gem mining ($12 for 5lb bag)
Add-ons can be selected when purchasing tickets online. Packages combining add-ons are also available. View my favorite 2024 photo backdrops next!
Photo Ops at Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up
The best thing about Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is the great photo backdrops. There are so many! Each year they keep some of the same ones – like the pumpkin house and ‘How tall are you?’ measuring stick – and add new backgrounds relating to current trends – like ‘End of Begining’ song lyrics and Beetlejuice’s coffin. Throughout this blog post are my favorite backdrops from our 2024 visit.
Food & Games
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up offers food and beverage options. Every year we get a cold apple cider and a cider donut! Multiple bars are set up throughout the grounds that serve beer, hard ciders, hard liquor, and specialty cocktails. Food for purchase includes cheeseburgers, nachos, BBQ chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, jumbo pretzels, and more. Pricing ranges between $4-$12 per item. A Mexican food truck is also available for tacos, burritos, elotes, and quesadillas ($5-$14 per item). Rotating food trucks occur on select weekend nights.
Near the food, you can find a row of carnival games. Carnival-style tickets are required to play and can be purchased as an add-on when reserving tickets. Games include Balloon Bust, Break A Plate, Down A Clown, and more. My sister won a stuffed animal last year!
Things to Know Before You Go
Tickets
- Tickets start at $30 for adults, $28 for ages 5-11, and free for ages 4 and under when accompanied by a paid adult ticket. Add-ons are available as additional purchases.
- The time slot you select when reserving tickets is your entry window. You can arrive anytime during your entry window and stay as long as you want once you’re in.
- Walk-ups are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets may be already sold out.
- All ticket sales are final and can not be refunded, but they can be rescheduled.
- Tickets and packages can be bought online.
Location
- Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is 100% outside and full of straw, hay, and corn.
- Strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs are allowed (FYI the ground is unpaved and uneven).
- Re-entry to the pop-up is not allowed after entry.
- Animals are not allowed except for certified service animals.
- Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is located at 1265 West Le Moyne Street, Chicago, IL 60642.
Other Info
- Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is 100% cashless and only accepts credit cards or Apple Pay.
- Port-a-potties are available as bathrooms.
- Axe throwing is 18+. Alcohol drinks are 21+.
- More information can be found on Jack Pumpkin Pop-Up’s FAQ page.
Did you visit Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up this year? Leave your thoughts in the comments!