Season’s Greenings, the United States Botanic Garden’s annual holiday celebration, is back with model trains, dazzling plants, and landmarks built entirely from plant parts — and admission is free! It’s one of DC’s favorite Christmas traditions and a must for any holiday bucket list.
From November 26, 2026-January 3, 2027 (closed December 25), this year’s display celebrates America’s 250th birthday with model trains chugging past national parks and historic places from coast to coast, including Virginia treasures Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.
Indoor Highlights
Inside the Conservatory, more than 20 DC landmarks — including the US Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial — are re-created from hundreds of dried plant materials and surrounded by poinsettias, from heirloom to newly developed varieties.
Outdoor Highlights
Outdoors, model trains circle more than 35 national parks and historic places, from the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Mount Rushmore to Alaska’s Denali, Hawai’i’s volcanoes, and DC’s own Peirce Mill. The outdoor display is free to explore, though the trains may not run during inclement weather.
Holiday Evenings
On select Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Conservatory and outdoor trains stay open late with live holiday music and food-and-drink vendors!
- Dec 8: TrapCellist ∙ R&B, soul, and hip-hop on acoustic cello
- Dec 10: Kyung ∙ Pop and holiday songs from a violin and guitar duo
- Dec 15: Swingology ∙ Hot jazz, bossa nova, and swing
- Dec 17: Luck Penny ∙ Celtic music from an Irish band
- Dec 22: Something Sweet Jazz ∙ Retro-inspired cocktail jazz
- Dec 29: Cariel Coates ∙ Jazz, R&B, soul, and reggae
Sensory-Friendly Visits
Families of kids with cognitive and sensory processing disabilities can join a Sensory-Friendly Morning on December 5, 2026, or a Sensory-Friendly Evening on January 2, 2027, with early entry for registered participants, pre-visit materials, and a take-a-break space.
Plus, warm up with coffee and hot chocolate from Vintage Views near the trains, and browse botanically themed gifts in the Conservatory’s West Gallery, too!
No tickets are required, though inclement weather and special events may affect availability. Strollers are welcome! For smaller crowds, aim for a weekday — holidays and the weekends around them are busiest.
Located on the National Mall minutes from the US Capitol, the Garden was established by Congress in 1820 and is home to about 65,000 plants!
Details:
Website
Dates:
Nov 26, 2026-Jan 3, 2027 (Closed Dec 25)
Location:
US Botanic Garden ∙ Washington, DC
Disclaimer: Event details are curated from public sources and subject to change. Verify all information via the provided links before attending.
