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The Marvelous New York Botanical Garden ‘Holiday Train Show®’

Nov 17

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All Aboard!

Exhibit in the central rotunda of Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at NYBG 'Holiday Train Show®' (Carole Di Tosti)
Exhibit in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
At the beginning of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® Coney Island exhibit (Carole Di Tosti)
At the beginning of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® Coney Island exhibit (Carole Di Tosti)
360 degree exhibit at the beginning of the 'NYBG Holiday Train Show®' (Carole Di Tosti)
360 degree exhibit at the beginning of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

Now in it’s 33rd year, the magical NYBG Holiday Train Show® has arrived. This most thrilling and fun experience for families and friends runs from Saturday, November 16, 2024 through Monday, January 20, 2025.

Enid A. Haupt Conservatory exhibits

NYC favorite the Holiday Train Show® boasts G-scaele model trains zipping, racing and rollicking through galleries of the Enid Haupt Conservatory amidst gorgeous, rainbow hued plantings set to complement New York landmarks in miniature from NYC’s five boroughs to historic places in the beautiful Hudson Valley.

Replica of Poe Cottage in the Bronx exhibit of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Replica of Poe Cottage in the Bronx exhibit of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Replica of the Park Avenue Armory NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Replica of the Park Avenue Armory NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Another view of the Park Avenue Armory replica in the Manhattan exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Another view of the Park Avenue Armory replica in the Manhattan exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Replica of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library behind the dome of the Enid A.Haupt Conservatory, the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Replica of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library behind the dome of the Enid A.Haupt Conservatory, the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Replica of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in front of the LuEsther T. Mertz LIbrary, in the Bronx exhibit of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Replica of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in front of the LuEsther T. Mertz LIbrary, in the Bronx exhibit of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

These replicas (i.e. Poe Cottage, the Park Avenue Armory, LuEsther T. Mertz Library, Cooper Union) are wonders in themselves because Applied Imagination’s creative team constructs them entirely of plant parts.

Practically every train type is represented from1880s American steam engines to modern freight and passenger trains with diesel engines, to trolleys and whimsical cars.

A whimsical freight train made of plant parts, in the Bronx exhibit of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
A whimsical freight train made of plant parts, in the Bronx exhibit of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
A trolley zipping by Belvedere Castle in the Manhattan display NYBG Holiday Train Show®
A trolley zipping by Belvedere Castle in the Manhattan display NYBG Holiday Train Show®

Woodland outdoor display

The woodland outdoor display created last year is an enchantment for all.

Snails on a whimsical mountain, the outdoor exhibit, NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Snails on a whimsical mountain, the outdoor exhibit, NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Close up of the snail, you can see what it is made of, clue, not plastic, the outdoor exhibit, NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Close up of the snail, you can see what it is made of, clue, not plastic, the outdoor exhibit, NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Outdoor woodland exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Outdoor woodland exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Freight train carrying matching woodland materials in the outdoor exhibit, NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Freight train carrying matching woodland materials in the outdoor exhibit, NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

Trains chug around whimsical mountain structures on the ground and high above on trestles so that high visitors may walk under the bridges. The landscape is filled with forest animals and creatures, winter-interest plants and marvelous fungi.

Fungi in the outdoor exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Fungi in the outdoor exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

All these and more enchantments unfold on the conservatory Lawn begging to be seen, like the owl perched above looking down on laughing children and smiling adults.

Outdoor exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Fungi in the outdoor exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Fungi in the outdoor exhibit NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

Events

NYBG and Tea Around Town

This year NYBG has partnered with Tea Around Town, a sightseeing tour bus that serves afternoon tea and brings the excitement and delight of the season from Manhattan to NYBG. First, join Tea Around Town’s festive journey to NYBG’s Holiday Train Show®. On the bus you will enjoy special teas, delicious treats and merriment served by elves aboard a beautifully decorated bus that celebrates the season. Disembarking from the bus, you will walk through the Holiday Train Show exhibits appreciating the craftsmanship and skill of Applied Imagination’s ingenious team and the clever botanical designs of the NYBG staff.

alms of the World Gallery in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with magnificent replicas of iconic Manhattan buildings. Do you recognize any? NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Palms of the World Gallery in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory with magnificent replicas of iconic Manhattan buildings. Do you recognize any? NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

The Tea Around Town bus will run Tuesdays in November and December, and Thursdays and Sundays from November 19th through January 20th. The bus departs from Central Park South at 11 a.m. and leaves NYBG at 3 p.m. to return to Manhattan. Also, in November and December, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m., Santa and an elf will be on-site in NYBG’s Leon Levy Visitor Center for photo opportunities with visitors.

Holiday Train Nights

Everyone enjoys another favorite event of the NYBG Holiday Train Show® at Holiday Train Nights. There is nothing more mysterious and beautiful as the glowing colored lights in the evenings where another atmosphere takes over the Garden landscape and inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Viewing the replicas twinkling with lighting from within and without. Enjoy listening or bopping along with holiday classics and Christmas pop favorites sung by performers in the Locomotive Lounge of the Visitor Center. Enjoy sweet and savory bites, spiked cider cocktails and mocktails, and hands-on gingerbread decorating your own for purchase.

Poinsettias, in a beautiful arrangement with amaryllis in a adjoining gallery of the conservatory. NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Poinsettias, in a beautiful arrangement with amaryllis in a adjoining gallery of the conservatory. NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

Holiday Train Nights take place on 16 select evenings. Ten of them are for adults only from 7 to 10 p.m. Six of the evenings are for all ages from 6 to 9 p.m. Holiday Train Nights are ticketed through NYBG’s presenting partner Fever.

Amaryllis, a lovely seasonal plant. NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)
Amaryllis, a lovely seasonal plant. NYBG Holiday Train Show® (Carole Di Tosti)

For adults

During adult Holiday Train Nights adults age 21 and older will be able to view the Train Show under an entirely different evening aura. There is also festive food and curated cocktails available for purchase. The dates are as follows: Saturday, Novembr 21; Friday, November 29; Saturday, November 30; Saturday, December 7; Friday, December 13; Saturday, December 14; Saturday, Decembr 28; Saturday, January 4; Saturday, January 11; and Saturday, January 18.

For families

All ages can enjoy Holiday Train Nights with hands-on activities on the following dates: Friday, December 20; Saturday, December 21′ Sunday, December 22; Monday, December 23; Thursday, December 26; and Friday, December 27.

More coverage will appear on this blog about NYBG Holiday Train Show. For additional information visit https://www.nybg.org/

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