Limited Time Botanical Garden Event Brings Halloween Town to Life

Morgan Stoermer, Features Editor • October 29, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Bringing the holiday classic to life, the New York Botanical Garden is hosting Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail, now through Nov. 30. The trail consists of 19 main attraction stops that replicate stunning shots from the iconic 1993 film, all while lighting up the botanical setting. During the fully outdoor 45-60 minute experience, fans of the movie can take pictures with statues of the characters, walk through light displays and enjoy the botanical garden setting during a fun event for all ages.

Tickets can be purchased on the website, with adult timed-entry at $49 and children timed-entry at $39. A four+ group can get the “jack pack” for $44 each, and flex tickets can be purchased for $65 each. Timed-entry tickets allow you to enter during a specific time slot in order to avoid overcrowding. Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and late entry is not permitted. It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes before your ticketed time. Snacks, drinks and sweets are available for additional purchase.

New York Botanical Garden is located at 2900 Southern Blvd. alongside the Bronx River and is easily accessible by the Metro-North Harlem line, or subway on the B, D, 2, or 4 trains. There are limited parking spots available for $22 at the Garden’s Main Entrance and at the NYBG Parking Garage. More information on transportation and available parking can be found here.

The one-way trail is paved and accessible for those with strollers and mobility aids, and has no staircases. The light show is presented and produced by LetsVenture Entertainment by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical. It is a multisensory experience that includes bright lights, bubble and smoke machines, bright colors, flashing lights and music. Photos and videos are allowed, but drones, tripods, selfie sticks and professional photo equipment are prohibited.

While none are available within the trail, there are restrooms located at the Visitor Center entrance and midway on the path to the Light Trail. The New York Botanical Garden is service animal only; no pets are allowed on Garden grounds.

To learn more visit https://thenightmarebeforechristmaslighttrail.com or follow on instagram at @tnbclighttrail.

To open the experience, patrons pass by a smoke-shrouded light sign (Morgan Stoermer)

To enter the trail, attendees pass through the mouth of a cross-sectioned jack-o’-lantern. Many lights towered above pedestrians, creating the immersive experience. The trail included over 8,300 square feet of light displays.
(Morgan Stoermer)

Leading to the first scene, visitors walk through a tunnel of changing and swirling lights. The entire walk is set to the original film’s soundtrack, with speakers hidden amidst the scenery. (Morgan Stoermer)

As the lighting reflects onto the garden backdrop, pedestrians look up to see the leaves overhead glow. The trail used the same color schemes of the movie, focusing on purples, oranges, blues and greens. Along with reflective glows, the trees were also illuminated with projected light images such as spiders or swirls. (Morgan Stoermer)

Before a sculpture of the Undersea Gal, a section of cauldrons send smoke towards the trail. The limited-time event is hosted after the sun sets, after NYBG’s traditional hours. (Morgan Stoermer)

With her webbed hands reaching toward the trail, the life-size Undersea Gal stands on a rock platform. Within the 19 displays, 18 characters were highlighted including 4 “different” Jacks. (Morgan Stoermer)

As the ninth attraction, the iconic shot of Zero and Jack is backlit by an orange light. Jack made an appearance in five of the 19 stops. (Morgan Stoermer)

In a Sally-themed dress, a visitor gets her picture taken with the 3D Santa Claus statue. Santa was the 13th attraction and one of many photo ops that visitors could stand right next to. (Morgan Stoermer)

With two more attractions after him, Oogie Boogie is positioned in his iconic stance, holding the dice. Oogie’s photo op wasn’t as up close as Santa Claus, but visitors could stand a few feet away to get a picture with him. (Morgan Stoermer)

Posing for a picture at the last main attraction, two visitors reenact the scene of Sally and Jack as it stands behind them. The trail was in the form of a loop, so visitors exited next to where they began. (Morgan Stoermer)

About the Contributor

Morgan Stoermer, Features Editor

Morgan Stoermer (they/she) is a freshman at MMC, majoring in Communication Arts as well as Digital Journalism, and double minoring in Drama Therapy and Law & Ethics. She is passionate about telling people’s stories and bringing awareness to non-visible disabilities, human rights, and criminal and social justice.

The Monitor

The Monitor

The Monitor

Limited Time Botanical Garden Event Brings Halloween Town to Life

The Monitor

Comments (0)