Guides Prices checked October 12, 2026
NYC holiday light shows in 2026: the Bronx Zoo, Lightscape and the Holiday Train Show, priced
Three ticketed shows, three gardens and a zoo's worth of lanterns, all opening between November 14 and 21. Here are the dates, what each costs, and the train to each.
The short answer
Three big ticketed holiday shows run this season: the NYBG Holiday Train Show (November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027), Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (November 20 to January 3; adults $29 to $44 depending on the night) and Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights (28 nights from November 21 to January 3; adults $37.95 for a set date). NYBG has not posted 2026 ticket prices on its show pages yet. Checked October 2026.
- Holiday Train Show Nov 14 to Jan 10; prices not yet announced
- Lightscape Nov 20 to Jan 3; adults $29 to $44
- Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights Nov 21 to Jan 3; adults from $29.95
- Lightscape, ages 0 to 2 Free
Free. One email each morning. One-click unsubscribe. Never sold.
The three shows, side by side
| Show | Dates | Hours | Adult | Child | Get there |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NYBG Holiday Train Show, Bronx | November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027 | Daytime; Conservatory open to 8 p.m. on select evenings | Not announced yet | Not announced yet | Metro-North Harlem local to Botanical Garden, or B, D, 4 to Bedford Park Blvd |
| Lightscape, Brooklyn Botanic Garden | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | Evenings, staggered entry times | $29 value, $39 off-peak, $44 peak | $15, $22, $28 (ages 3 to 11) | 2, 3 to Eastern Pkwy-Brooklyn Museum |
| Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights | 28 nights, November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027 | 1 to 9 p.m.; lights on at 4:30; last entry 8 | $37.95 set date; $29.95 deal days; $42.95 any night | $22.95; $14.95; $27.95 (ages 3 to 12) | 2 to Pelham Pkwy, or the BxM11 express bus |
The Holiday Train Show
The New York Botanical Garden's model trains run past nearly 200 landmark replicas made from plant materials, and this year's new one is One Vanderbilt. Members get a preview on November 13 and free admission all season, with the number of tickets set by membership level. The Conservatory stays open until 8 p.m., last entry 7, on November 27 to 29; December 5, 11, 12, 18 to 20 and 26 to 30; and January 2. Sensory-friendly mornings run 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 21 and Saturday, January 9.
The easy way there is Metro-North's Harlem line local from Grand Central to Botanical Garden station, about 20 minutes. By subway, take the B, D or 4 to Bedford Park Blvd, then the Bx25 or Bx26 bus, or walk about 20 minutes downhill. Parking is $25 (checked October 2026).
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Lightscape is an after-dark trail of large lit sculptures, lit trees, buildings and water, set to music. Entry is at the Visitor Center, 990 Washington Avenue, at staggered times through the evening, and children 2 and under are free. During the run the garden closes to daytime visitors at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 10 and 17 are 21-and-over nights; December 3 and 18 have sensory-friendly early entry at 4 p.m.; December 8 is a family benefit night. The trail is wheelchair accessible and uses no strobe lighting, though some sequences flash, and earplugs are available on request. Take the 2 or 3 to Eastern Pkwy-Brooklyn Museum, or the 4 or 5 to Franklin Av, which has no elevator.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
The zoo's lantern trails open at 4:30 p.m. on its 28 nights: November 21, 22 and 27 to 29; December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 23 and 26 to 31; and January 2 and 3. Through mid-December it runs weekends, Thursday to Sunday from December 3, then every night from December 17 to 23 and 26 to 31. December 3, 10 and 17 are deal days, the cheapest tickets of the season (checked October 2026). Tickets are online only and must be bought in advance, members included; members get 25% off. If the zoo closes for weather you get new tickets for another night.
Only the Bronx River and Southern Boulevard gates open for Holiday Lights. Take the 2 to Pelham Pkwy, or ride the BxM11 express bus from Manhattan. Parking is $22 a car (checked October 2026).
-
Lightscape, for the grown-up night out
The best-designed of the three as a walk after dark, with a bar on site and two 21-and-over nights.
-
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, for kids
Lantern trails at a zoo, and the zoo opens at 1 p.m. on show days, so an afternoon visit can roll into the lights at 4:30.
-
The Holiday Train Show, for daytime and train people
The one to do in daylight, and the one worth a weekday off: the replicas reward a close look, and the trains run all day.
The questions people actually ask
When does Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights start in 2026?
Saturday, November 21, 2026, after member previews on November 19 and 20. It runs 28 nights through January 3, 2027, with lights on at 4:30 p.m. and last entry at 8 (checked October 2026).
How much is Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden?
Adults pay $29 on value nights, $39 off-peak and $44 peak; children 3 to 11 pay $15, $22 or $28; children 2 and under are free (checked October 2026).
When is the NYBG Holiday Train Show in 2026?
November 14, 2026 to January 10, 2027, with a members-only preview on November 13. NYBG had not posted 2026 ticket prices on its show pages as of October 2026.
Do you need tickets in advance for Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights?
Yes. Tickets are sold online only and every visitor, members included, must buy in advance.
How do you get to the NYBG Holiday Train Show?
Metro-North's Harlem line local from Grand Central to Botanical Garden station takes about 20 minutes. By subway, take the B, D or 4 to Bedford Park Blvd, then the Bx25 or Bx26 bus or a 20-minute walk.
The sources
Where the prices and rules above come from. Check them yourself:
- Bronx Zoo: Holiday Lights FAQs — 2026-27 dates, hours, prices, advance purchase, gates, transit and parking
- Bronx Zoo: Holiday Lights — member preview nights
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Lightscape — dates, price table, special nights, accessibility
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden: directions
- New York Botanical Garden: Holiday Train Show — dates, preview, extended evenings, sensory-friendly mornings, the One Vanderbilt replica
- New York Botanical Garden: directions — Metro-North, subway, buses and parking
The prices on this page change.
When one moves, this guide is corrected and the morning brief says so. Get the brief and you get the update the day it lands, with the rest of New York explained alongside.
Free. One email each morning. One-click unsubscribe. Never sold.