Tim Burton's 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Transforms Into A Stunning Light Trail Experience
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on September 27, 2024 at 1:45 PM EDT
What's this? A brand new "Nightmare Before Christmas" light trail at the Botanical Gardens in New York? Count us in!
Fans of the film can experience the magic of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail, which showcases over 8,300 square feet of stunning light installations created with state-of-the-art technology. This immersive experience includes interactive video projections, intelligent LED lighting, and 3D-printed sculptures of beloved characters from the film.
Disney Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Light Trail officially opened to the public on Friday, September 27, and will run for a 9-week limited engagement through Saturday, November 30.
First Look At Tim Burton’s 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' Light Trail
Take a stroll through the enchanting setting alongside Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero, as iconic characters, scenes, and songs from the timeless classic are brought to life among the foliage of one of New York's most cherished gardens.
On Wednesday, before the experience opened to the public, The Blast was invited to get a special sneak peek of the new light trail, created by Adventurelive founder and "Hamilton" producer Jeffrey Seller, LETSGO founder and creator of Tim Burton’s "Labyrinth" Iñaki Fernández.
'Hamilton' Producer Jeffrey Seller Reflects On 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
Before allowing the press into the light trail, Adventurelive founder Jeffrey Seller shared a heartfelt story about how he developed a deep love for Tim Burton's classic film.
"I want to tell you a story," Seller told the press, including The Blast. "Let's go all the way back to the summer of 1992, and my dear friend Tom King was a reporter at the Wall Street Journal, and he was covering Hollywood, and he and I found ourselves in San Francisco that summer."
King had to go cover Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas," which was being made in a warehouse. He invited Seller to go with him and he "actually got to go watch them work with the clay and work with all the stop-motion animation to make scenes from this movie all the way back in that summer of 1992."
"15 months later, the movie happened to be opening on October 16, 1993, and that happened to be my 29th birthday," he continued. "And so what I did is I put together a group of eight friends and we all went to the movie and then we went out to dinner after."
"Now cut all those years later, and here we are, and I'm 59 years old, and folks, I'm turning 60 on October 16, but I feel like tonight is the beginning of my birthday party because here we are again celebrating Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
What Can Guests Expect During The Botanical Gardens Experience
Bringing Tim Burton’s unique characters to life, this outdoor experience showcases more than 8,300 square feet of stunning light displays created with advanced technology.
Visitors can expect interactive video projections, intelligent LED lighting, and 3D-printed sculptures of the film's beloved characters. This immersive adventure is designed to ignite the senses and transport audiences into the imaginative world of Tim Burton.
Disney Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Light Trail is produced by Adventurelive, the team behind Broadway's "Hamilton," in collaboration with LETSGO, the Madrid-based creative group known for Tim Burton’s "Labyrinth and Lights in Nature."
This enchanting experience is presented through a special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.
Listen To The 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Soundtrack As You Are Immersed Into The Mind Of Tim Burton
The 45-minute adventure showcases 19 eerie recreations of scenes from the beloved animated classic, enhanced by the film's iconic soundtrack.
As you stroll through the experience, you'll come across a graveyard adorned with crooked tombstones, along with recognizable figures like Jack Skellington and his ghostly sidekick, Zero.
The life-like 3D-printed sculptures of these legendary characters provide excellent photo opportunities and infuse a touch of magic into the light trail.
How To Get Tickets To The New Light Trail
Tickets for Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail are available now. Prices start at $39 for timed entry and $55 for flexible entry, with variations depending on availability.
The event runs from dusk until 10 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday, starting September 27 and continuing through November 30.
