by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel
Growing up in the Bronx, there were always special places that our family would visit on a regular basis. One of these was the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) for Sunday afternoon strolls with either my parents or an outing with my grandmother. It was also a popular place for my elementary school because it was only a short bus ride away. Now, so many decades later, it is a place we took our three children to and now keeping up the tradition, our grandchildren. Over the years the growth of the exhibits and educational components have grown tremendously to include year-round special events and theme attractions!
One of those amazing annual events is the Holiday Train Show® which is now celebrating its 35th year. The popular exhibition runs from November 14, 2026, through January 10, 2027, with tickets on sale now, continuing to delight as New York City’s favorite winter tradition and a can’t-miss adventure. The timeless magic of rail travel fills NYBG with seasonal cheer as model trains traverse over famous bridges and through familiar city settings, bringing nearly 200 twinkling landmark replicas, including new surprises for 2026/2027, to life under the glass of the warm and welcoming Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. 
Visitors can get up close to see these miniature masterpieces, each one meticulously crafted from plant parts like palm fronds, pinecones, and cinnamon sticks. Outside, explore a glowing mountain-scape brimming with even more trains and picture-perfect moments. Extended hours on selected dates this year allow for more viewing opportunities. Whether young or adult, the Holiday Train Show has sparked wonder in generations of visitors, and it’s the City’s best way to celebrate the season. Tickets are available for purchase at www.nybg.org.
The Holiday Train Show is renowned for its vignettes of G-scale model trains enlivening botanical replicas of famous New York landmarks in miniature, some no longer standing, like the first Yankee Stadium or the original Penn Station, each delightfully re-created from natural materials such as leaves, seeds, twigs, bark, and acorns. Model steam engines, streetcars, and freight and passenger trains travel indoors in the Conservatory’s galleries along overhead trestles, through tunnels, across soaring structures such as the Brooklyn Bridge, and in an enchanting woodland outdoor display over towering mountains with forest animals, winter-interest plants, and fungi on the Conservatory Lawn, providing dazzling sights for all ages. A new miniature masterpiece joins this year’s lineup: a botanical replica of One Vanderbilt, one of New York City’s newest architectural icons and the home of the world-renowned immersive observatory experience SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. 
The replica recreates the skyscraper’s elegant, tapered form and the signature elements of SUMMIT using an intricate composition of natural materials, transforming glass-and-steel modernism into a work of botanical art. The model showcases the creativity and engineering expertise behind the landmark tower and its plant-based miniature counterpart. Special funding for the One Vanderbilt model is made possible by SL Green Realty Corp. and Summit OV Foundation. In 1992, the Holiday Train Show began as a modest seasonal display at NYBG and has since grown into one of New York City’s most cherished holiday traditions, delighting generations of visitors and becoming an essential part of the season for locals and tourists alike. What started as a unique exhibition blending model trains, botanical artistry, and iconic New York landmarks has evolved into what many consider their favorite winter spectacle, drawing families and friends back every year to create lasting memories. As the Holiday Train Show celebrates this milestone, there has never been a better time to experience the magic for yourself, whether planning a festive day trip with kids or looking for an unforgettable outing with loved ones. Admission offers full access to see replicas of Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Macy’s flagship store to name a few, all made of plant materials. Visitors can also enjoy access to NYBG’s historic landscape and gardens, perfect for family-friendly fun, casual holiday strolls, and seasonal memories. For many, the Holiday Train Show is how real New Yorkers celebrate the holiday season, returning year after year to share a tradition that feels distinctly and unmistakably New York.
On select dates, the Holiday Train Show will be open for extended hours. The warm glow of the Haupt Conservatory with colorful lighting brings the holiday spirit under glass. Marvel at multiple beautifully lit vignettes, which offer truly card-worthy holiday photo opportunities at every turn. The New York Botanical Garden will be open until 8 p.m., with last entry at 7 p.m., on the following dates: November 27 to 29, December 5, December 11 to 12, December 18 to 20, December 26 to 30, and January 2. The New York Botanical Garden is located at 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10458. For information, visit nybg.org