The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden is one of the city’s most loved holiday traditions. G-scale model trains run over bridges and through a miniature New York of nearly 200 landmark replicas, every one built from plant materials like bark, pinecones, acorns, cinnamon sticks and palm fronds. It all sits inside the glass Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
The 2026–27 show runs from November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027. New this year is a botanical replica of One Vanderbilt, the Midtown tower that houses the SUMMIT observatory.
Quick Facts
| Dates | November 14, 2026 – January 10, 2027 (members preview November 13) |
|---|---|
| Evening hours | Until 8 p.m. (last entry 7:15 p.m.) on Nov 27–29; Dec 5, 11–12, 18–20, 26–30; Jan 2 |
| Sensory-friendly mornings | Saturday Nov 21, 2026 and Saturday Jan 9, 2027, 9–11 a.m. |
| Tickets | Included with the All-Garden Pass; buy timed tickets at nybg.org (weekends and holidays sell out) |
| Where | Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, NYBG, 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458 |
| Getting there | Metro-North Harlem Line to Botanical Garden station (about 20 min from Grand Central) |
What You’ll See
The show winds through the Conservatory’s galleries, with trains running along elevated tracks and through scenes of Manhattan skyscrapers, Hudson River mansions, Brooklyn brownstones and famous bridges. Look closely at the replicas: the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center and Yankee Stadium are all covered in natural materials, and spotting what each detail is made from is half the fun for kids.
The 2026–27 season adds the new One Vanderbilt replica plus an outdoor mountain landscape with more trains.
Holiday Evenings
On select nights the Conservatory stays open until 8 p.m. with live music and photo opportunities with NYBG train conductors. The trains look especially good after dark, when the miniature buildings glow. Evening dates are November 27–29, December 5, 11–12, 18–20, 26–30 and January 2.
Tips for Visiting
- Book a timed ticket in advance for weekends and holiday weeks, which sell out.
- Weekday mornings are the quietest time for little kids to get close to the tracks.
- Strollers are allowed but the galleries get crowded; a carrier is easier for babies.
- Sensory-friendly mornings turn off videos and music while trains and waterfalls keep running, with a quiet space and alternate exit.
Getting There
The easiest route is Metro-North’s Harlem Line from Grand Central to Botanical Garden station, which is right across the street from the Mosholu Gate. By subway, take the B/D or 4 to Bedford Park Boulevard, then walk about 20 minutes or take the Bx26 bus. On-site parking is available.
More Train Shows and Bronx Plans
Pair the train show with Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights across Southern Boulevard, or lunch on nearby Arthur Avenue. If your family loves model trains, the free Grand Central Holiday Train Show is in Midtown, and our holiday train shows guide covers every display in the metro area.
How the Show Is Made
The Holiday Train Show began in 1992. Its miniature buildings are created by Applied Imagination, the studio founded by landscape architect Paul Busse, which pioneered the idea of building replicas of landmarks entirely from natural materials. Look closely and you’ll see bark for walls, acorn caps for windows, leaves for roof tiles, twigs for railings and seed pods for decorative details. Each year the collection grows with new replicas; for 2026–27 the addition is One Vanderbilt.
Landmarks to Look For
The show includes nearly 200 replicas. Favorites with kids and adults include the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Center, Yankee Stadium, the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal and grand Hudson River mansions. Trains run on elevated tracks overhead and at eye level, crossing bridges and passing waterfalls.
Plan Your Visit
- Time needed: 45 minutes to an hour for the train show, longer if you explore the rest of the garden.
- Best time: weekday mornings, when school groups are lighter and you can get close to the tracks.
- Tickets: timed entry; weekends and holiday weeks sell out, so book ahead.
- Strollers: allowed, but galleries are narrow and busy; a carrier is easier for babies.
- Food: the garden has cafés; Arthur Avenue, the Bronx’s Little Italy, is a short drive or bus ride away.
Getting There in Detail
Metro-North: the Harlem Line from Grand Central to Botanical Garden station takes about 20 minutes, and the Mosholu Gate is across the street. This is the easiest option from Manhattan.
Subway: the B, D or 4 to Bedford Park Boulevard, then an 8-block walk east or the Bx26 bus.
Car: on-site parking is available for a fee and fills on weekends.
Combine With
The Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights are directly across Southern Boulevard; many families do the train show in the afternoon and the zoo at dusk. For more trains, see the free Grand Central Holiday Train Show and our Christmas in the Bronx guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the NYBG Holiday Train Show 2026?
It runs from November 14, 2026 through January 10, 2027, with a members-only preview on November 13.
Is the Holiday Train Show open in the evening?
Yes, on select dates the Conservatory stays open until 8 p.m. (last entry 7:15 p.m.): Nov 27–29; Dec 5, 11–12, 18–20, 26–30; and Jan 2.
How do I get to the NYBG Holiday Train Show?
Take Metro-North’s Harlem Line from Grand Central to Botanical Garden station, about 20 minutes. The garden entrance is across the street.
What is new at the 2026 Holiday Train Show?
A botanical replica of One Vanderbilt and an outdoor glowing mountain landscape with more trains.
How long does the NYBG Holiday Train Show take?
About 45 minutes to an hour for the train show itself.
When did the NYBG Holiday Train Show start?
The show began in 1992.
What are the buildings at the Holiday Train Show made of?
They are made from natural materials such as bark, acorns, leaves, twigs and seed pods.
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