Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Lightscape returns Nov. 20 with a new illuminated trail

Brooklyn Botanic Garden will reopen Lightscape, its illuminated holiday trail, on Nov. 20 for a run through Jan. 3, 2027, the garden and Brooklyn Paper reported Friday.

Now in its sixth year, the evening event sends visitors along a redesigned route that starts and ends at the Visitor Center at 990 Washington Avenue. BBG describes the trail as a "love letter" to the garden's landscapes, with monumental light sculptures, effects on trees and water features, and site-specific sound.

What returns — and what's new

Brooklyn Paper said this year's lineup has 16 installations. Returning favorites include the Winter Cathedral and Mandylights' "Bluebonnets," with thousands of glowing flowers near Oak Circle. A reimagined fountain show by Sense Effects will light the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, the paper reported.

New pieces include Winter Wonder in the Cherry Esplanade, a fire garden on the Plant Family Lawn, "Moon & Stars," and "I Love Brooklyn" by Culture Creative and ArtAV, according to Brooklyn Paper.

Tickets and nights

Tickets are on sale through BBG's site with staggered entry times. Adult Value Night tickets start at $29; Off-Peak is $39 and Peak is $44, with lower prices for children ages 3–11 and free admission for babies under 2, per BBG. Members get discounted Peak and Off-Peak rates.

BBG scheduled 21+ nights for Dec. 10 and 17 and sensory-friendly early entry at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 18. Outside food and drink are not permitted; concessions and an indoor Lightscape Bar will sell snacks and drinks, and dinner reservations at Lightscape Lodge at Yellow Magnolia Café open later this fall, the garden said.