'The Nightmare Before Christmas' light trail comes to the Bronx

You don’t need to be a fan of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” — in fact, you don’t even need to have seen the 1993 cult classic film — to love the dazzling light show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, running Sept. 25 through Nov. 30.

Back for its second year, “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail” takes visitors through an illuminated path of high-tech lighting displays, 3-D printed sculptures and interactive video projections depicting scenes from the animated movie, inspired by a poem Burton wrote in 1982. The story is something of a holiday mash-up, marrying Halloween and Christmas with a humorous tale that involves the mayor of Halloween town, a mad scientist and a plot to kidnap Santa Claus.

But the storyline doesn’t matter all that much, said Jeffrey Seller, the renowned theatrical producer (“Hamilton,” “Rent”) who is the founder of Adventureland LLC, the production team that created the trail. “If you love Halloween and if you love Christmas, then you will love this exhibit,” said Seller, noting that the display has expanded following last year’s success. (And if you happen to be traveling this fall, the trail is also running on the same dates at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.)

The big draw is the imagery from the movie, Seller said.

“Every time you turn a corner, it’s another goosebump moment as visitors walk through and see these beautiful images,” he said, adding that the characters come to life with “beautifully animated sculptures at every turn.”

Music from the movie’s score by Danny Elfman enhances the experience.

The light trail is a great date night activity but also good for families, Sellers said. “It’s not like a haunted house, with people jumping out at you,” he said. “It’s not scary at all. Little children are going to have a great time.”

Planners also added a refreshment bar in the middle of the exhibit, where visitors can stop for a quick hot chocolate, cider and the like. And souvenir hunters will find items ranging from T-shirts to water bottles at what has playfully been labeled merchandise BOOths. (If that’s not enough, GAP has an entire collection of products tied to the film, including a fun skull hoodie.)

It is expected to take visitors 45 minutes to an hour to walk around the 8,300-square-foot exhibit (plus a seven- to 10-minute walk from the ticket center to the beginning of the trail). The path is paved, so guests can bring strollers or mobility devices if needed.

“Whether they’ve seen the movie or not, people are going to have a great time,” Seller said. Think about it, he added. The movie is “genius,” and the light trail has been set under the canopy of “the greatest botanical garden in the world.”

Details

WHAT: “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail”

WHERE: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx

WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 25-Nov. 30, dusk to 10 p.m. (schedule varies week to week, so guests are advised to check the website for hours.)

TICKETS: Starting at $56 (flexible entry) or $45 (timed entry) for adults, $33 for children 2-12, thenightmarebeforechristmaslighttrail.com.