Tickets for the 2026 Great Pumpkin Sail at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside go on sale Thursday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. at ucnj.org/ticket.
The event, presented by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1, with a rain date of Monday, Nov. 2. Space is limited, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Families bring a pre-carved jack-o'-lantern to the park, hand it off to be placed on a float and then watch it sail across Echo Lake alongside hundreds of other glowing pumpkins. The event is open to visitors of all ages, according to the county's announcement.
What to know before you buy
Each ticket covers up to six family members and includes the right to float one jack-o'-lantern with a lid, weighing no more than eight pounds after carving. Families are limited to two tickets. Larger families may purchase one additional ticket covering up to six more members.
Union County residents pay $12 per ticket. Non-residents pay $16.
Three timed sessions are available:
- Session 1: 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Session 2: 6:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Session 3: 8:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Union County Board of County Commissioners President Joseph C. Bodek said the event brings families together and makes fall in Union County feel special.
"There is nothing quite like seeing Echo Lake filled with glowing Jack-o-Lanterns," Bodek said in a Sept. 29 statement.
For more information, residents can visit ucnj.org/parks, email [email protected], or call 908-527-4900.
Upcoming community events
- Thursday, Oct. 1: Great Pumpkin Sail tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. at ucnj.org/ticket
- Sunday, Nov. 1: Great Pumpkin Sail at Echo Lake Park, Mountainside (rain date Monday, Nov. 2)
