Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden is back this November 2023
November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn
Brooklyn, NY—Lightscape, Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s after-dark, illuminated trail returns this winter season from November 17, 2023, to January 1, 2024. Tickets to this year’s Lightscape are on sale starting July 28. Now in its third year, Lightscape has become New York City’s can’t-miss holiday tradition, offering a magical, outdoor winter experience for visitors of all ages.
This year’s Lightscape at BBG has been reimagined with a longer illuminated trail, more works of art, and new, immersive experiences along the way. Visitors can explore the beauty of winter in moonlight as dozens of monumental light sculptures and over a million lights create a winter wonderland along a one-mile outdoor trail. A curated playlist of music enlivens the trail and pop-up snack and dining areas offer seasonal treats along the way.
Lightscape runs on select dates from November 17, 2023, through January 1, 2024. This year’s show offers off-peak and peak pricing. Regular admission tickets are $39 peak/$34 off-peak for adults and $19 peak/$17 off-peak for children ages 3–12. BBG member tickets are $29 peak/$24 off-peak for adults and $14 peak/$12 off-peak for children ages 3–12. Children 2 and under enter for free. Learn more at bbg.org/lightscape.
Lightscape 2023 Highlights
The Beauty of the Garden in Winter
Lightscape is a one-of-a-kind winter light show that takes advantage of the natural beauty of Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s landscapes, trees, water features, architectural details, and paths to create a magical, otherworldly experience in the winter Garden.
As visitors enter Lightscape, they find fountain sculptures in the pond of the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. These carefully placed works create a fountain and light show in one of BBG’s most iconic gardens. Trees along the route are illuminated to highlight the beauty of their natural forms. A selection of BBG’s horsechestnut trees feature special illuminated art from the Garden’s archives of botanical illustrations.
Taking advantage of BBG’s large lawns are Sea of Light, which covers the expanse of Cherry Esplanade with a breathtaking moving light and music show, and Meadow of Light, a new work for BBG that illuminates the lawn of the Osborne Garden.
In the Plant Family Collection, Feast of Light invites visitors to walk through a tunnel of hundreds of pink and purple hanging lights, creating an enchanting immersive experience.
Visitors stroll among giant, fantastical light sculptures including Supernova, a 24-foot-high illuminated Moravian star, through the sparkling new Chandelier Walk, and under the giant red poppy blossoms of Floraison that hover above the trail.
Music and Sound on the Trail
Along the trail, visitors will also hear a curated soundtrack of festive and ambient music selected to complement the artwork and lighting design.
This year, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Lightscape features Kaleido Circle, an illuminated area in Oak Circle playing a mix of hip-hop songs by influential Brooklyn musicians, curated by artist Sherwin Banfield.
Dining and Special Events
Concessions along the trail and at Yellow Magnolia Canteen offer hot cocoa, hot cider, and mulled wine, light bites, cookies and sweets, and more.
On Tuesday, December 5, BBG hosts a Lightscape Family Benefit evening, a fundraiser that’s fun for kids and their families. Guests can enjoy trailside treats amid dazzling lights and colors as they stroll the outdoor trail. This third annual benefit event offers a magical experience for families and raises important funds to support the Garden’s youth education programs.
About Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Founded in 1910, Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) is an urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment. Situated on 52 acres in the heart of Brooklyn and open year-round, the Garden is home to over 12,000 kinds of plants and more than 30 specialty gardens.
For hours, directions, and admission information, see bbg.org. Find out what’s in bloom at bbg.org/bloom, read the Garden’s blog at bbg.org/news, and learn what’s happening at bbg.org/events. Follow @brooklynbotanic on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and join the conversation using #BrooklynBotanicGarden.