Inside The New York Botanical Garden

This Weekend: A (Belated) White Christmas

Posted in Around the Garden on December 28 2012, by Matt Newman

The NYBG WeekendMy New Year’s resolution for 2013 is to finish up my holiday shopping before the holidays come and go, rather than after; it’s one I can never seem to stick to. For the rest of you, here’s hoping that this weekend will be a relaxing one. If you’re not working on Monday, I might also suggest you preface your fireworks and champagne with a stop at the NYBG, where the Holiday Train Show continues to run through mid-January alongside many of our other December activities. At the very least, I can promise you the open spaces and fresh air of the Garden will offer a little calm before you squeeze your way into Times Square.

However, if you’re still in retail mode, you’ll want to make a pit stop at our Shop in the Garden. We’re offering plenty of great gifts for the gardeners on your list that you may have overlooked, and much of what remains of our holiday stock is now 50% off! So if you’re the type of person who likes to plan well ahead when it comes to Christmas ornaments a wintry decor, now is your chance to load up.

For the Saturday crowd, the weather report promises a belatedly white Christmas in the Garden, something best experienced while wandering among the Benenson Ornamental Conifers. There’s something about snow-laden evergreens that flips all the right nostalgia switches, at least in my experience. And I probably don’t have to say it, but winter weather makes enjoying our toy trains and miniatures that much more iconic when snowflakes are brushing over the Conservatory glass.

That said, winter is finally, officially here, and our 250 acres are elegantly dressed for the occasion. We’ll be keeping the holidays up and running at The New York Botanical Garden through at least January 13, so make a point of stopping by!


Saturday & Sunday, December 29 – 30

The NYBG Weekend

Film Screening: Holiday Train Show with David Hartman – 11:30 a.m., 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall

A PBS documentary narrated by David Hartman explores how the Holiday Train Show goes from imagination to creation and features exclusive interviews with designer Paul Busse.


Monday, December 31

The NYBG Weekend

The Little Engine That Could™ Puppet Show – 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
In the Ross Hall

This classic tale is brought to life in an exciting presentation by New York City puppet master Ralph Lee. The whole family can join the fun to get the determined train over the mountain!

(©Penguin Group USA)