The holiday light trail at Brooklyn Botanic Garden is back for another winter, and this year it takes a new route. Lightscape opens on Friday, November 20, and runs nightly through Sunday, January 3, 2027, with timed entry from the garden's Visitor Center at 990 Washington Avenue in Prospect Heights.

The garden describes the 2026 edition as a new trail built around the garden itself and its four seasons. Tickets have been on sale since September 29, and the garden notes that popular dates and times can sell out.

What is on the trail

Visitors follow a winding path through the garden's landscape after dark. Along the way there are large lighted sculptures, colored light on the trees, buildings and water features, and music and sound written for specific spots on the route. There are places along the way to stop, get a hot drink or a snack and take photographs.

Only the trail is open in the evening; the rest of the garden is closed to Lightscape visitors. The trail begins and ends at the Visitor Center this year.

Tickets and prices

Every ticket is for a specific date and a 15-minute entry window, so groups are staggered along the trail. The garden sells several kinds of nights:

  • Value Nights, the lowest price: $29 for adults and $15 for children.
  • Off-Peak and Peak nights, with adult tickets up to $44 and children's tickets up to $28 on the busiest dates.
  • 21+ Nights and a Family Benefit night.
  • Anytime Entry, $59, for visitors who are not sure when they will arrive.

Garden members pay less on Off-Peak and Peak nights. Prices include all fees. The date picker on the Lightscape page shows which type each night is.

Sensory-friendly hours and access

On select Value Nights the garden offers a sensory-friendly early entry, with adult tickets at $24 and tickets for children ages 3 to 12 at $12.

The trail paths are wheelchair accessible. Some lighting sequences include flashing light, though the garden says there is no strobe lighting, and visitors with sensitivity to sound can ask for disposable earplugs at the box office. Visitors who come with a personal care attendant should check the garden's Lightscape FAQ for how attendant entry works.

Getting there

The Visitor Center entrance is on Washington Avenue, just south of the Brooklyn Museum. The closest subway is the 2 and 3 to Eastern Parkway–Brooklyn Museum; the B, Q and S at Prospect Park are also within walking distance. Dress for a winter evening outdoors, since the whole experience is on foot outside.

Lightscape runs November 20 through January 3. Pick a date and an entry window on the garden's Lightscape page.

Sources