The Brooklyn Holiday Train Show: A Magical Journey Through Time and Tradition

With the holiday season in full swing, The Brooklyn Holiday Train Show at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (BBG) has made its annual appearance. Since 1997, the train show has thrilled audiences with its immersive model train display that showcases the rich culture of NYC alongside the magic of the holidays. The show includes almost 200 detailed miniature recreations of iconic New York landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Yankee Stadium, all crafted from natural materials.

The Brooklyn Train Show features over 25 G-scale model trains and trolleys traveling over half a mile of track. Combining old-time NYC with 19th century streetcars with modern passenger and freight trains, the show has become a tradition in many families as children who once delighted in the experience are now bringing their own kids to share in the magic.

The train show is held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, which is also filled with exotic plants and flowers. It is not the only highlight this time of year, with the BBG gardens offering holiday crafts and storytelling. The Holiday Train Nights takes place after dark, where visitors can experience the train show under colorful lights. Classic holiday music enhances the spirited ambiance, with Christmas pop songs performed in the Locomotive Lounge. Spiked cocktails and mocktails and delicious gingerbread treats are available for purchase, as well.

The Brooklyn Train show runs from the end of November through the middle of January. Make sure to book your tickets in advance!