Glowing Colorful Wonders

A Magical Evening at NYBG’s Christmas Spectacle

Last week, my husband and I strolled through the New York Botanical Gardens to visit their annual Glow Christmas lights and world-famous holiday train show.

The evening enveloped us in a cool 45 degrees; people of all ages were mesmerized by the glowing lights that transformed the evergreen trees into bright colors of pinks, purples, reds, and greens.

The air was alive with the sweet scent of hot chocolate spicy fare, and earthy pine trees wafted in the December air. The spirit of Christmas was glowing among the flora at this famous botanical garden in the heart of the Bronx.

We first visited the train show, where they paid tribute to famous New York mansions and attractions by constructing the architecture using plant materials.

With tracks that weave in and around the botanical architecture, 25 G-scale model trains are chugging along the exotic floral. Closely 200 iconic landmarks were meticulously designed by Applied Imaginations from Kentucky. This family-owned botanical architecture has been bringing its creative vision to the NYBG since 1992.

We walked through the maze of botanical trains and houses, snapping photos with our iphone. We saw well-known landmark buildings and what they looked like in the golden years. With Christmas music playing in the background and little children taking photos near their favorite train, it was a whimsical, fun evening.

One of my favorite builds was the impressive Macy’s building in 1902. I read that all the buildings had some of these plant materials: pin oak acorn caps, cocoa nuts, mahogany, and cherubs. But my awe didn’t end there; the final scene was of the Stature of the Library, with all the tall skyscrapers and a wooden bridge suspended above the air to show even more sets of model trains running through the tropical forest.

When we left the Conservatory, where the holiday train show was, we began our dramatic glittery light show that was magical. These energy-efficient lights that danced with the dramatic sounds to create a theater-choreographed show were incredible.

It was a night that was full of awe, bright vibrant colors and exuberance. If you are ever looking for a Christmas light show, you don’t want to miss this.

Thank you for reading.