A new holiday attraction: ‘Lightscape’ at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens features a million dazzling lights

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It is the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, when most families are exhausted and have done the gamut of traditional holiday light attractions near and far.

Dyker Heights lights in Brooklyn? Check. The Staten Island homes on Sharrotts Road and Lyndale Avenue? Check and check. The NYC Winter Lantern Festival at Snug Harbor and PNC Holiday Light drive-thru? Been there, done that. What else is there? Moms and dads want to know.

Luckily, light enthusiasts can rejoice. There’s a beautiful holiday light attraction just over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge that my family and I visited last weekend and it did not disappoint.

“Lightscape” at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, an after-dark, illuminated spectacular is New York City’s newest must-see holiday event. Animated by over a million lights, “Lightscape” was a delight for my family of five (three children, ages 21, 18, and 18). The beauty of winter was celebrated with a festive trail winding through BBG’s 52-acre landscape.

But plan your trip soon. “Lighscape” closes on Jan. 9, 2022.

Visitors to “Lightscape” make their way along a winding trail through BBG’s landscape, awash in artistic lighting design. Along the way, they’ll encounter monumental lighted sculptures, colorful effects on BBG’s trees, architecture, and water features, and site-specific music and sound.

The trail begins at the Visitor Center and exits at the Eastern Parkway entrance. Ticket times are staggered so groups can comfortably stroll the trail with family and friends.

18 WORKS OF WORKS OF LIGHT ART ON VIEW

Along the “Lighscape” trail, visitors will hear a curated soundtrack representing the diversity of Brooklyn’s religious and ethnic winter cultural traditions. Concessions along the trail will offer hot drinks, light fare, and a roast-your-own s’mores station.

We went on a Sunday, late in the afternoon, and lucked out with 50-degree weather. We wore comfortable walking shoes and my teenaged daughters indulged in the Instagram-worthy, monumental light installations.

The light displays were colorful and adorned the Garden’s trees, landscapes, and architecture. Awe-inspiring is an understatement.

There are 18 works of light art to view, among them the Winter Cathedral tunnel, Fire Garden in Oak Circle, Sea of Light, an animated light installation covering Cherry Esplanade, and a series of new light-based artworks by local artists.

Ticket info: Non-member regular admission tickets are $34 for adults and $18 for children ages 3–12. BBG member regular admission tickets are $30 for adults and $16 for children ages 3–12. Children 2-and-under enter free. For more info, click here.