The New York Botanical Garden is back with a dazzling and nightmare-inducing display celebrating Tim Burton’s iconic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
The outdoor trail is an immersive ode to the 1993 Disney movie featuring video projections, music, and scenes complete with beloved characters like Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero. The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail is open on select evenings through Nov. 30 and is appropriate for all ages.
“There’s nothing quite like the feeling of fall in New York, and we’re delighted to offer a beautiful and convenient escape through our dynamic, living collections and seasonal cultural programs right here in the City,” Jennifer Bernstein, the president and CEO of the New York Botanical Garden, said in a statement. “Our visitors can immerse themselves in the stunning colors of the season… The Garden provides a perfect way to experience the magic of autumn with family and friends.”
Boasting more than 8,300 square feet of light installations, visitors are welcomed with LED lighting, interactive video projections, and 3D-printed sculptures. The experience includes four new scenes along with new refreshment and merchandise booths.
The entire one-way trail takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete and must be experienced on foot. In general, the experience is open from dusk to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays.
Visitors are encouraged to take plenty of photos, but drones, selfie sticks, and professional photography equipment are not allowed.
“Nightmare is going to be even better this year,” Jeffrey Seller, the founder of Adventurelive, which created the light trail, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. “More sculptures, more lights, beer/wine, and hot cider. This is one trail you want to walk, hike, or get lost on.”
Tickets for the light trail start at $45 for adults who choose timed entry, $56 for adults who choose a flex entry option, and $33 for children. Tickets can be booked online.
Beyond nighttime thrills, travelers who head to the New York Botanical Garden this fall can celebrate the Broadway musical (and movie) Wicked with a display of pink and green plants in the Home Gardening Center through Nov. 2. Then starting Nov. 15, the beloved Holiday Train Show returns, featuring model trains and replicas of famous bridges and cityscapes.
The Botanical Garden sits in the Bronx and is home to 250 acres, including more than 500 cherry trees, a rose garden, a 3.5 acre native plant garden, a wild wetland trail, and more.
