Ever fancied stepping into the wonderfully weird world of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas? Well, grab your wellies, wrap up warm and head to Arley Hall and Gardens in Cheshire.
Following successful runs in New York, Austin and São Paulo, the light trail has arrived in the UK for the first time, bringing Halloween Town and Christmas Town to life in spectacular style.
We were so excited to spend around 80 minutes exploring the eerie extravaganza surrounding the Grade II-listed estate – which was Tommy Shelby’s home in Peaky Blinders – with a much-needed coffee stop halfway round to warm up. It was magical from beginning to end.
First stop: Toasty marshmallows and cosy vibes
The fun starts before you even set foot on the trail. The village area has a lovely atmosphere, with food trucks, an outdoor bar, covered seating and a beautifully decorated teepee complete with roaring fire pits.
Make sure you grab some giant marshmallows to toast over the fire! There’s something rather delightful about standing around a crackling fire, toasting marshmallows before heading off into a world of spooky characters and spectacular lights. This is Halloween… with an extra side of Christmas.
Into the woods: Halloween Town
Once you step into the grounds, the transformation is pretty incredible. Trees glow in electric purples, hot pinks, vivid greens and icy blues, with more than 1,700 lights, funky LED displays and 3D-printed sculptures bringing the film to life.
The iconic soundtrack helps set the scene as you make your way through 24 different sections, following Jack Skellington on his journey from Halloween Town to Christmas Town.
Jack himself makes quite an impression, while Zero, his adorable ghost dog, is brought to life as a floating sculpture. Just don’t expect him to fetch a stick!
Then there’s Lock, Shock and Barrel lurking on the path, looking every bit as mischievous as I remember, from being taken to the cinema to watch the movie on my birthday back in 1993.
One of our favourite moments was Oogie Boogie’s lair. Bursting with neon colours and tucked away among the branches, it’s a real spectacle. Even the ground beneath him comes alive with moving light projections, making it a brilliant spot for videos.
And just when you’ve had your fill of Halloween, things take a festive turn as you head towards Christmas Town, where a rosy-cheeked Sandy Claws awaits with some jumbo lit-up prezzies.
There are glowing tunnels to wander through and even little illuminated spiders creeping down the tree trunks.
Lovely staff and a well-timed pit stop
A special mention has to go to the staff, who were jolly throughout the evening.
They were friendly and happy to chat to families, while keeping everything running smoothly. They even offered to take group photos, which was a thoughtful touch and meant nobody had to miss out on being in the picture.
About halfway round, we stopped for a coffee and a snack for the kids. It was a welcome chance to warm up and recharge before heading off to explore the rest of the trail.
Worth a visit?
Whether you’re a lifelong Tim Burton fan or introducing the kids to a Halloween classic, this trail has plenty to offer.
It’s playful and just the right amount of spooky, with enough festive magic to get you excited for Christmas, too. The attention to detail is impressive and there’s something around every corner to make you stop and stare.
Bring plenty of cash as there are three pricey merch stands along the way with some lovely hoodies, pin badges, drinks bottles and more.
Here’s what some young reviewers said about the trip:
Penny (7) said: “All the lights made me feel festive and fun. My favourite bit was the Oogie Boogie man, there was a cool spinning wheel and it made my imagination grow.”
Alice (10) said: “My favourite thing was the tunnel with a projection on the floor. I was so scared of the spiders! I would recommend wearing wellies because it does get quite muddy!”
Buy tickets: Tickets start at £32 for adults, with discounted tickets available for children and seniors. Book here: https://feverup.com/m/751766
Get there: Arley Hall and Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6NA
