Photo credit: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com)

Autumn is officially here! Halloween decorations are beginning to grace homes and businesses alike. Although the weather may not feel like fall here in southern California – where we have had heat waves off and on for several weeks – we are getting ready for Halloween. The Happiest Place on Earth decorates for the fall festivities of Halloweentime and Dia de los Muertos, including a Halloween Tree in Frontierland.

Are you familiar with The Halloween Tree? For a few weeks each year, the magic of Disney transforms one of the oak trees in Frontierland with over 1,500 lights and more than 50 painted pumpkins as a tribute to author Ray Bradbury and his book of the same title. During the day, most Disneyland guests walk past the tree and may only notice some of the pumpkins dangling from the oak’s branches.

During the daytime, most guests walk past Disneyland’s Halloween Tree without noticing it. However, at dusk and in the evening it becomes a focal point. | Photo credit: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com) | Sept. 2016

At dusk, when the red and orange twinkling lights turn on, this oak tree becomes the center star of Frontierland and catches everyone’s attention. As the evening sky darkens, the splendor of the Halloween Tree is even more glorious. Disneyland started this decorating tradition in 2007, but Ray Bradbury wrote the original story in 1972. This chapter book of approximately 150 pages is from the genre of children’s literature. The reading level is 4.7 and is considered for ages 9 to 12 years old, but the story has many fans of all ages.

Hundreds of painted jack-o-lanterns dangle from The Halloween Tree in Frontierland. | Photo credits: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com) | Sept. 2016

After admiring Disneyland’s Halloween Tree for the past few years, I finally read the fantasy novel this year for the first time. In summary, the story is about a boy named Tom and a group of his friends and takes place one Halloween night. As the boys are all dressed up in their costumes, they realize that their friend Pipkin has not arrived yet. After briefly seeing Pipkin at his house, the boys set off to meet him later at a seemingly deserted home on the edge of town. In the yard of this spooky and desolate house, the boys first see The Halloween Tree. After meeting Mr. Moundshroud, the owner of the house, their evening of adventures and time travels begin as the boys search for their friend and the meaning of Halloween.

As the sun sets and the sky turns dark, the red and orange lights of Disneyland’s Halloween Tree take center stage in Frontierland. | Photo credits: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com) | Sept. 2016

The final destination the boys visit in the book The Halloween Tree is Mexico during Day of the Dead. Appropriately, Disneyland’s Halloween Tree is not too far from Zocalo Park and the Dia de los Muertos celebration area. If you have not read the story for yourself, check out a brief summary, a book review, or a longer summary to get caught up until you have an opportunity to read it.

From Zocalo Park in Frontierland, you can see The Halloween Tree behind the Dia de los Muertos musicians. | Photo credit: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com) | Sept. 2016

Seeing the Halloween Tree at Disneyland may inspire you to create your own at home, either inside or outside, to welcome trick-or-treaters.

Painted jack-o-lanterns and twinkling lights adorn Disneyland’s Halloween Tree in Frontierland | Photo credit: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com) | Sept. 2016

In this video clip from 2007, Ray Bradbury officially dedicated the tree at Disneyland (skip to 21:00 to see the ceremony). The photos for this post were taken in 2016 at Disneyland. When I took them, a cast member stood near the tree and shared The Halloween Tree story with guests. The Halloween Tree is a fun and festive way to get into the Halloween spirit. If you have a chance to see the tribute at Disneyland, be sure to take a few moments to enjoy it during both the day and night.

The Halloween Tree at Disneyland | Photo credit: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com) | Sept. 2016

Plaque at base of Halloween Tree paying tribute to author Ray Bradbury. | Photo credit: Krista (www.ladybugblog.com) | Sept. 2016

Are you a fan of Halloween? Have you read The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury?

Updated: September 2018

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”