New York Botanical Garden Announces New Holiday Light Experience

The garden’s Holiday Train Show will have limited access due to COVID-19, but a new light show will be open to the public.

By Katelin Walling October 30, 2020

In order to follow NYC’s COVID-19 safety protocols for cultural institutions, the New York Botanical Garden made the tough decision to limit ticketing for the 29th annual Holiday Train Show to members, patrons, and Bronx Community Partners only as a thank you for their continued support through the coronavirus pandemic. But don’t let that ruin your holiday traditions! The botanical garden is offering an exciting new holiday event for the public to enjoy: NYBG GLOW.

An all-new nighttime, outdoor experience, NYBG GLOW will illuminate the landscape and Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden on select evenings this holiday season, from Friday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021.

Because this is an all-outdoor event, there is plenty of room for visitors to spread out and maintain social distance while exploring a glowing world of color and light. Thousands of dazzling LED lights and installations will fill the Visitor Center Reflecting Pool and bring the surrounding gardens and collections to life—plus, the Haupt Conservatory will serve as the centerpiece of the whole experience with its iconic exterior serving as a canvas.

In accordance with New York City and New York state requirements for cultural institutions and safety protocols (limited ticketing capacity and social distancing), timed-entry tickets for NYBG GLOW must be purchased in advance on the garden’s website. Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10 am—and you can set up an alert to be notified when tickets go on sale by visiting nybg.org. General admission tickets are $30 for adults, $18 for children ages 2-12, and children younger than 2 are free. NYBG Member tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 2-12, and free for children younger than 2.

NYBG GLOW will take place from 5-10pm on the following 14 dates:

Friday, Nov. 27
Saturday, Nov. 28
Saturday, Dec. 5
Saturday, Dec. 12
Friday, Dec. 18
Saturday, Dec. 19
Saturday, Dec. 26
Sunday, Dec. 27
Monday, Dec. 28
Tuesday, Dec. 29
Wednesday, Dec. 30
Friday, Jan. 1, 2021
Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021
Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021

The garden’s gradual reopening process incorporates best practices and guidance from health authorities and government agencies, according to NYBG. New safety measures include requiring staff and visitors older than 2 to wear face coverings; increasing sanitization of public and staff areas; daily health screenings for on-site staff; supporting hygiene and social distancing practices; requiring timed-entry tickets purchased in advance; and operating at a reduced capacity.

NYBG’s limited timed-entry ticketing system staggers visitors’ arrivals, promotes social distancing, and mitigates the risk of crowding. Advance purchase of timed tickets for NYBG GLOW is required and will be confirmed by email. Visitors who do not purchase tickets in advance will not be guaranteed admission. For more information about NYBG GLOW, the Holiday Train Show, and the garden’s safety protocols, and to purchase tickets, visit nybg.org.