Holiday Train Show: Marvel at the incredible miniature holiday train display at the New York Botanical Garden. For the 25th year,in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, see model trains run through 150 landmarks, created with natural materials. Landmarks include the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center and the new Queensboro Bridge. Come for the trains, stay to explore the 250 acre gardens and special programming, which includes special tours, a cappela performances and a poetry reading with the garden’s poet laureate, Billy Collins. The train show runs through Jan. 16. Tickets are $20. Visit www.nybg.org to learn more.
Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl: On Dec. 3, grab your ugliest holiday sweater and show it off at the Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl. Enjoy drink specials at some of your favorite East Village bars while rocking your ugly sweater. Draft beers are $2 and $3, domestic bottles are $4 and $5 and mixed well drinks are half off. Registration goes from 3 to 9 p.m. at Bar None at 98 3rd Avenue. Tickets are $6.95. Visit pubcrawls.com to purchase tickets and learn more.
XIII Encuentro NYC Colombian Music Festival: The annual showcase highlights the diverse music scene from Colombia. The show takes place at Le Poisson Rouge (Bleecker St. and Sullivan in the West Village) on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 10 p.m. Nearly 60 musicians will perform during the evening. The show highlights the rich traditions of Colombian music, while also celebrating the newer developments. Visit encuentronyc.com for the full lineup of performers.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market: The annual Columbus Circle Holiday Market is famous for being one of the best places for holiday shopping. Vendors – many of them local – sell art, home goods, food and jewelry. You can find the market at the Columbia Circle entrance to Central Park (59th and Central Park West). Go for the shopping, stay for all the fun Central Park has to offer, from an afternoon of ice skating to a stroll around the zoo. The market is open through Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Visit urbanspacenyc.com for more information.
Winter Village at Bryant Park: Enjoy outdoor skating at Bryant Park through March 5. After ditching the skates, wander around the holiday shops and start checking items off your shopping list. Shops are open through Jan. 2, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. Shops are typically open on holidays and during inclement weather. Visit wintervillage.org for more information.
