Experience the magic of a New York holiday tradition during Bar Car Nights at the New York Botanical Garden.
On Bar Car Nights, exclusively for adults 21 and over, the wintry landscape of NYBG sets the scene for festive outdoor adventures, with an after-dark viewing of the expanded Holiday Train Show, now with 3,000 additional square feet, as the centerpiece. Sip a complimentary cocktail as you journey through a series of station stops, including ice sculpture carving demonstrations under the starlight; delicious and festive treats from Frosty’s Schnapps Haus, the new Bavarian-themed outdoor dining space; an intimate jazz set in the warmth of the Pine Tree Café; and the playful fire and light performances of Cirque de Light.
Bar Car Nights will be held from 7-10 p.m. on December 4, 5, 18, 19, and January 2, 8, 9, 15, 16. Tickets are $25 for non-members, and $25 for members. Advance tickets recommended; includes one complimentary beer, wine, or cocktail of your choice. Although your ticket provides access to the entire event between 7–10 p.m., when purchasing tickets you will need to select an entrance time for the Holiday Train Show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.
The Holiday Train Show, NYC’s favorite train show, is bigger than ever. Enchanting model trains zip through a display of 150 landmarks, each re-created with bark, leaves, and other natural materials—all under the twinkling glow of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Marvel at G-scale locomotives humming along among familiar sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Rockefeller Center—surprising at every turn—on nearly a half-mile of track. This year’s exhibition features 3,000 square feet of additional exhibition space, making room for dozens of new trains, bridges, and tracks; a captivating short film of the show’s behind-the-scenes magic; and a stunning multisensory finale of light and sound.
During this entire holiday season, you and your family can explore a winter wonderland across the 250 acres with special tours, musical performances, and activities for kids, plus take care of your gift list at NYBG Shop and stop for a bite at one of our exciting new dining venues. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind holiday outing.
The New York Botanical Garden is an iconic living museum and, since its founding in 1891, has served as an oasis in this busy metropolis. As a National Historic Landmark, this 250-acre site’s verdant landscape supports over one million living plants in extensive collections. Each year 965,000 visitors enjoy the Garden not only for its remarkable diversity of tropical, temperate, and desert flora, but also for programming that ranges from renowned exhibitions in the Haupt Conservatory to festivals on Daffodil Hill.
The Garden is also a major educational institution. More than 300,000 people annually—among them Bronx families, school children, and teachers—learn about plant science, ecology, and healthful eating through NYBG’s hands-on,curriculum-based programming. Nearly 90,000 of those visitors are children from underserved neighboring communities, while more than 3,000 are teachers from New York City’s public school system participating in professional development programs that train them to teach science courses at all grade levels.
NYBG operates one of the world’s largest plant research and conservation programs, with nearly 200 staff members—including 80 Ph.D. scientists—working in the Garden’s state-of-the-art molecular labs as well as in the field, where they lead programs in 18 countries.