Back to All Events

MOVIE: The Nightmare Before Christmas | Arts Center Lake Placid | October 23, 2026

  • 17 Algonquin Drive Lake Placid, New York, 12946 United States (map)

The Nightmare Before Christmas Brings Halloween Town to Lake Placid

Still from the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas showing at Arts Center Lake Placid.

©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Nightmare Before Christmas screens at the Arts Center Lake Placid Annex in Lake Placid, NY, on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 7 pm. Part of the Arts Center’s Movie Musical Series, this seasonal favorite adds a little wonderfully peculiar magic to an autumn evening in the Adirondacks.

Released in 1993, the stop-motion musical remains a satisfying choice for Halloween viewing: inventive, tuneful, and just unsettling enough. For residents and travelers looking for movies in the Adirondacks, this screening offers a chance to rediscover its handmade world with an audience.

Planning more Adirondack adventures? The ADK Taste newsletter delivers a weekly guide to the region’s best food, stories, and events.

A pumpkin king with bigger ambitions.

Jack Skellington excels at Halloween. As Halloween Town’s celebrated Pumpkin King, he presides over a community that considers a good scare its highest calling. Yet another successful holiday leaves him restless.

Then Jack discovers Christmas Town, where snow, lights, and unfamiliar celebrations awaken his imagination. His enthusiasm inspires an ambitious plan to give Christmas a Halloween Town makeover. Sally, a thoughtful rag doll, sees trouble in his grand experiment.

The story pairs mischievous humor with a recognizable longing: even someone admired for doing one thing well can wonder what else life might hold.

Watch the official trailer.

The trailer for The Nightmare Before Christmas previews the imaginative musical coming to the Arts Center Lake Placid Annex in Lake Placid, NY.

Meet Jack Skellington and glimpse the film’s crooked landscapes, curious creatures, and collision of Halloween and Christmas.

The Nightmare Before Christmas screening brings this distinctive animated world to an Adirondack arts venue on October 23.

The artists behind the oddities.

Henry Selick directed the film, with Tim Burton creating its story and characters. Danny Elfman composed the songs and score, giving the movie much of its emotional momentum.

Chris Sarandon voices Jack, while Elfman handles his singing. Catherine O’Hara voices Sally, and Ken Page gives Oogie Boogie his memorable theatrical swagger.

The production uses stop-motion animation, moving physical puppets incrementally between photographed frames. Its sculpted characters and miniature settings give the fantasy a tactile quality. The songs advance the story, making this an especially fitting selection for the Arts Center’s celebration of movie musicals.

A familiar favorite worth another look.

Roger Ebert praised the film’s abundant visual imagination, recognizing a world rich enough to reward repeat viewing. Its craftsmanship also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.

A balanced viewing perspective: the elaborate imagery can command more attention than the relatively simple plot, and the macabre characters may unsettle younger children. The PG rating deserves consideration.

Character Jack Skellington in the movie Nightmare before Christmas

Jack Skellington

For returning viewers, the appeal extends beyond nostalgia. A theatrical screening invites closer attention to the tiny gestures, expressive shadows, and busy backgrounds that a distracted home viewing can miss.

Make an evening of it in Lake Placid.

Small-town movie theaters and community arts venues help keep filmgoing part of everyday cultural life across the Adirondack Park. This screening offers a focused, shared experience that suits a slower Friday evening.

Dinner in Lake Placid or a walk beside Mirror Lake can set the pace before the movie. Readers building a fuller itinerary can explore ADK Taste’s Guide to Lake Placid.

ADK Taste recommendation: A strong pick for animation enthusiasts and families with older children who enjoy musical mischief.

Screening details and frequently asked questions.

When and where is the screening?‍ ‍

Friday, October 23, 2026, at 7 pm, in the Arts Center Lake Placid Annex, 17 Algonquin Drive, Lake Placid.

How much are tickets?‍ ‍

Tickets cost $7, including fees.

What is the runtime and rating?‍ ‍

The film runs 76 minutes and carries a PG rating.

Where can attendees purchase tickets?‍ ‍

Visit the Arts Center’s screening page to purchase tickets and check updates. Allow extra time for parking during campus renovations.

For more carefully chosen outings, subscribe to In Good Taste, ADK Taste’s weekly newsletter, and discover the food, stories, and events worth making time for across the Adirondacks.


Find the best places to eat, shop, stay and experience near Lake Placid.


America's Story Runs Through the Adirondacks

From Fort Ticonderoga and Teddy Roosevelt to the Miracle on Ice and the birth of the American vacation, the Adirondacks helped shape the nation.


Shop our store for unique Adirondack gifts, clothing, merchandise and cool stuff.


Ultimate Guide to the Adirondacks

Your insider’s guide to exploring the Adirondacks—where to go, what to eat, and the experiences that make this place unforgettable.


ADK Talks Podcast

Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.



See the top upcoming events in the Adirondack Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region.

Navigate to Arts Center Lake Placid.

 
Previous
Previous
October 17

The Ladies of Phantom | Schroon Lake | October 17, 2026

Next
Next
October 24

Hallowed Forge | Old Forge | October 24, 2026