The Holiday Train Show Rolls Back Into NYBG This November
It’s that time again, New York. The Holiday Train Show is back at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) starting November 15, 2025, and running through January 11, 2026. If you have never been, think twinkling lights, mini landmarks, and model trains zipping through a tiny version of NYC — all made from bark, leaves, and other plant parts. It is wholesome, festive, and a little magical — basically, the city’s coziest winter escape (minus the subway delays).
A Mini New York, Built from Nature
Once you step inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, you’ll feel like you just walked into a holiday snow globe. Picture tiny versions of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, and almost 200 New York landmarks, all built by hand from natural materials like acorns, cinnamon sticks, and bark.
This year, there’s a new addition: a detailed replica of the Delacorte Theater — the same spot that hosts Shakespeare in the Park. It sits right next to a mini Central Park scene with Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, and the Gothic Arch. It is wild how realistic it looks, considering it’s made out of tree bark.
After-Dark Fun: Holiday Train Nights
Now, if you want a night out that feels like Christmas met a block party, go for Holiday Train Nights. On select evenings, the Conservatory glows up after dark with music, cocktails, and a crowd that is half festive, half Instagram-ready.
You’ll find roving “train conductors” (yes, in full costume) greeting guests, a “Bar Car” for 21+ drinks on the Hudson Garden Grill Patio, and live performers singing holiday classics that’ll make you hum along. There are snacks, sweet treats, and more than enough photo ops to fill your camera roll.
Holiday Train Nights 2025–2026 Dates:
- November 22, 28, 29
- December 6, 12, 13, 19–21, 26–29
- January 2, 3, and 10
- Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tickets start at $43 for non-members, and members get 20% off. Kids under 2 are free, so bring the whole crew.
Daytime Visits Still Hit Different
Prefer to go during the day? The regular Holiday Train Show® experience is included with an All-Garden Pass, and it’s just as charming — especially for kids and families. You can choose a timed-entry ticket to keep things chill or grab a Flex Ticket if you want to roll in whenever before 4:30 PM.
Ticket Prices (Daytime Admission):
- Adults: $39
- Seniors (65+): $35
- Students: $35
- Children (2–12): $27
- Under 2: Free
Members get early previews before opening day and can visit as many times as they want all season long — a solid move if you’re planning to bring different friends or family later.
Sip, Shop, and Stroll
Don’t skip the NYBG Shop before you head out. It’s stocked with plants, home décor, gardening gear, and gifts that make you look like you actually thought about your Secret Santa this year. During Holiday Train Nights, the shop stays open till 9:45 PM, so you can sip a cocktail while you browse.
If you’ve still got energy after all that, step outside and explore the Conservatory Lawn or take a walk through Bronx Park. Everything looks extra magical with the winter lights around.
Getting There
The New York Botanical Garden is at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY. You can take the B/D train to Bedford Park Blvd, the 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd–Lehman College, or the Metro-North Harlem Line straight to the Botanical Garden Station. Trust me — it beats finding parking in the Bronx during holiday season.
Quick Details
- Event: Holiday Train Show® 2025–2026
- Dates: November 15, 2025 – January 11, 2026
- Location: Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx
- Holiday Train Nights: Select dates, November 22 – January 10, 7–10 PM
- Tickets: From $39 daytime | From $43 for Holiday Train Nights
- Children under 2: Free
- Website: https://www.nybg.org
- Ticket Partner: Fever (for Holiday Train Nights)
- Bonus: Member discounts + early previews
Event details may change, so check the NYBG site before heading out.
Why You Should Go
Because it’s a New York classic. There’s something wholesome about watching model trains zip past the Empire State Building made out of pinecones while sipping a drink under twinkling lights. Whether you’re bringing the kids, a date, or just escaping the cold, the Holiday Train Show® delivers that cozy, only-in-New-York kind of magic every year.
Keep tabs on @nybg on Instagram or visit nybg.org for schedule updates, ticket drops, and sneak peeks of this year’s displays.
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