This opportunity is over; visit our calendar for up-to-date fun!
Big Holiday Guide › Holiday Train Display @ US Botanic Garden
Season’s Greenings, the United States Botanic Gardens’ annual holiday celebration that transforms the Conservatory and outdoor gardens into a holiday wonderland featuring festive decor, dazzling plants, and one-of-a-kind botanical creations! A must for any bucket list, it’s made even better with free admission.
Hosting a new theme annually, Season’s Greenings’ 2025 outdoor display features dinosaurs made from plant parts (like T. rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and more!), surrounded by plants whose ancestors lived alongside them!
From November 27-January 4, 2026 (closed Dec 25), explore Washington, DC, landmarks crafted entirely from plant materials, enjoy brilliant seasonal displays, and experience this year’s standout feature: G-gauge model trains weaving through a world of dinosaurs made from plants.
Indoor Highlights
Inside the Conservatory, guests will discover more than 20 iconic DC landmarks and monuments re-created with incredible detail using leaves, bark, roots, and other plant materials. Paired with vibrant poinsettias and holiday greenery, each handcrafted structure serves as a botanical work of art, offering a unique way to experience the city’s history through nature.
Outdoor Highlights
Outdoors, the holiday magic continues with a seasonal train display. Watch the G-gauge trains chug through playful scenes featuring dinosaurs, prehistoric animals, and plants from the Cretaceous period — all built from plant parts. The outdoor holiday display, including the trains, is free to explore, though train operations may pause during inclement weather.
More to Enjoy
On select Tuesdays and Thursdays, both the Conservatory and outdoor train display will offer extended evening hours until 8 pm. These nights feature live holiday music and food and drink vendors!
Tickets aren’t required; however, inclement weather and special events may affect availability.
Dates:
Nov 27-Jan 4, 2026 (closed Dec 25)
Location:
US Botanic Garden ∙ Wash, DC
Like This?
Check out our Guide: Holiday Fun
Get to know this destination! Located on the National Mall, minutes from the US Capitol, the Garden is a family-friendly museum steeped in history! As one of the oldest Botanic Gardens in the US (established by Congress in 1820), this landmark emphasizes the crucial role plants play in the ecosystem. Visitors can explore living exhibits, including 12,000 accessions, equating to about 65,000 plants!
In 1838, Lieutenant Charles Wilkes set out on the United States Exploring Expedition commissioned by Congress to circumnavigate the globe and explore the Pacific Ocean. Between 1838 and 1842, the expedition traveled 87,000 miles and collected a large assortment of horticultural and botanical specimens. These formed the nucleus of the present-day garden. Even now, four plants in the garden are believed to be directly related to the original Wilkes expedition!
Important Disclaimer: Events/opportunities on DullesMoms.com are curated from public sources and subject to changes/cancellations that might not be reflected. Always click on the provided event link to confirm details.
#SeasonsGreenings