Visitors can journey alongside Jack Skellington, Sally and Zero as the worlds of Halloween Town and Christmas Town arrive in the North West
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail opens next month(Image: The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail)
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail is coming to the UK for the very first time and luckily for us, it’s just a short drive from Manchester.
Following acclaimed runs in New York, Austin and Sao Paulo, where more than 500,000 guests experienced the trail, it’s set to transform Arley Hall & Gardens in Cheshire into the wonderful worlds of Halloween Town and Christmas Town.
Set against the backdrop of Arley Hall’s historic grounds, which has hosted previous light trail experiences including Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, the immersive nighttime experience will feature more than 1,700 dazzling light installations, bringing the iconic characters and scenes of Tim Burton’s beloved 1993 film to life through interactive video projections, intelligent LED lighting, music and 3D-printed sculptures.
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Visitors will step into the story alongside Jack Skellington, Sally and Zero, journeying through ‘a spectacular illuminated trail filled with familiar characters, spooky surprises and magical Christmas moments’.
The experience – running from October 22, 2026 to January 3, 2027 – also features four brand-new scenes, immersing audiences even further into the world of Halloween Town and Christmas Town. Along the way, guests can enjoy seasonal food and drink and browse exclusive merchandise with on-site parking available.
At the heart of the experience is the iconic visual language of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Those behind the experience say cutting-edge lighting technology, immersive video projection and sculptural installations ‘combine to create a world that feels as though it has stepped straight out of the film, inviting visitors to walk through 24 sections featuring some of its most recognizable locations, characters and moments’.
From the eerie Halloween Town to the sparkle of Christmas Town, the trail is designed to evolve with the seasons, and promises to make ‘the perfect family experience for both Halloween and Christmas’.
The trail has been created by LETSGO in partnership with Adventureland and is presented by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Group.
Inaki Fernandez, founder of LETSGO, said: “It’s been so rewarding to bring to life the distinctive visual world of Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas into a real, immersive experience and share it with audiences across the globe.
“After seeing fans fall in love with the trail internationally, we can’t wait to transform the beautiful grounds of Arley Hall & Gardens into Halloween Town and Christmas Town.
“It’s a chance for families to create unforgettable memories alongside the characters they love, and a welcome escape to the countryside where everyone can switch off from daily life and enjoy the perfect day out together. We’re particularly excited to give families across the region the chance to experience Tim Burton’s extraordinary world in a completely new way.”
Adventureland, the producing team behind Broadway’s Hamilton, and LETSGO, the creative team behind the internationally acclaimed Tim Burton’s Labyrinth and Naturaleza Encendida, combine innovative technology with the unmistakable imagination of Tim Burton. The Arley Hall & Gardens edition is produced by LETSGO, in partnership with Tokyo Industries, suppliers of unique food and beverage experiences.
The waiting list for early access to tickets is already open with the presale beginning on September 16 and standard bookings opening from noon on September 17.
General admission starts at £32 for adults, with discounted tickets available for children and seniors.
